Debbie Blackshear believes wholeheartedly that the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District has the best of the best in its teaching staff and student body, and that it is the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation’s primary goal to raise the bar on raising scholarship funds for diligent students and grant funds for outstanding teachers.
Currently Chair-Elect of CFEF’s board of trustees, Blackshear is poised to take over as Chairman in July. She has been a dedicated board member for seven years. From that vantage point, she has seen the growth and changes taking place over the years in Cy-Fair ISD, and knows what it will take to keep up with the district’s needs and frantic growth rate.
“With the growth of CFISD, we added two new high schools this school year which will have graduating classes in just a few years,” Blackshear said. “It is vital that we increase the dollars raised each year so that we are able to grant scholarships with meaningful dollar amounts.”
“Dollars for teacher grants are also important to the education of our children,” she said.
Added to the challenge of keeping pace with a growing school district are the hurdles posed by raising funds in a flagging economy. But Blackshear views those challenges as opportunities for growth and expansion in CFEF’s fund-raising efforts.
“We see the need to involve more people and businesses in our community in our fundraising events,” Blackshear said. “We saw this begin to happen this year with CFEF’s first annual Salute To Our Heroes event. With the dollars needed for scholarships and teacher grants, it is important that we expand our group of contributors and supporters.”
Blackshear’s strong work ethic has led her to success in her professional life. She has served as President of the Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union for 15 years of her 25-year tenure.
In that role, she said she wears “many hats.”
“My duties are varied and challenging,” Blackshear said. “I try to nurture a positive work environment where my employees look forward to coming to work each day. I strive to provide the same internal service to my staff that I expect them to provide to our more than 18,200 members.”
Blackshear attended the University of Houston. She holds a Certified Credit Union Executive – CCUE - accreditation.
Blackshear has been married to her high school sweetheart, Paul, for 36 years. They have two sons,Jason, 33, and J.P., 31; and three grandchildren - Brooke, 7, Brandon, 4, and Mackenzie, 2 - and are expecting a grandson at the end of July.
“Paul and I have lived in Cy-Fair for 30 years now and moved here from the Heights because of the great reputation of CFISD,” Blackshear said. “We grew up in HISD and knew that we wanted our children to attend school elsewhere.”
Their sons attended Lamkin Elementary, Arnold Middle School and are graduates of Cy-Fair High School. She said their parental instincts proved true when it came to Cy-Fair ISD’s reputation.
“In Cy-Fair ISD, we have the best of the best in education,” Blackshear said.
Leisure activities include spending time with her family, reading, crocheting, and baking desserts. Her specialty dessertis cheesecake.
“I love spending time with my grandkids and creating memories with them,” Blackshear said.