Debbie Kilpatrick

In This Section

Debbie Kilpatrick
Clifton, VA
Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA), Fairfax, VA

Personal and Professional Information

  • Office Administrator, Clifton Presbyterian Church, Clifton, VA, 2019-present
  • Fairfax County Public Schools Substitute Teacher, 2000 - 2020
  • Personnel Director and Assistant to President, WJTC-TV 44, Pensacola, FL
  • U. S. Army Reserves Staff Sargent (E-6) Personnel, Opelika, AL (5 years-Active)
  • Alabama Department of Pensions & Security, Administration, Opelika, AL
  • Married to Bill, mom to Wil and David, and I have lived in Clifton, Virginia for 26 years


PTA Involvement

Current Service includes:

  • Fairfax County Council PTA President, 2024-2026, representing 175 PTAs with 25,000 members
  • Attended: National PTA Convention and Legislative Conferences 2009-2026; VA PTA Events 2006-2025


Past Service Includes:

  • National PTA Nominating Leadership Recruitment Committee (NLRC), 2022-2025
  • Fairfax County Council PTA Vice President Outreach, 2022-2024
  • VA PTA Vice President Leadership Development, 2022-2023
  • National PTA Convention General Arrangements Sub-Committee Member, 2021-2022
  • Northern Virginia District PTA, Asst District Director, 2020-22, (225 PTAs, 3 Councils, 55,000+ members)
  • Northern Virginia District PTA, District Director, 2016-20
  • Fairfax County Council of PTAs President, 2014-2016
  • Fairfax County Council PTA, President-Elect, 2012-2014
  • Virginia PTA Vice President of Membership, 2012-2015, 2015 National Council of States Rep
  • Northern Virginia District PTA District Director, 2007-2011 (5 school districts, 3 councils, 230 PTAs)
  • 2017-2021 National PTA workshop presenter (three workshops during timeframe)
  • 2016-20 VA PTA Committees: Annual Meeting & Advocacy Conference Chair 2018; 2016-20 Resolutions; Nominations Committee; A & P (SOP), Growth & Development Committees
  • Awarded National PTA Grants, 2017-19: STEM + Families-$4000; Safer Internet-$1000; Renewal $500
  • 2018 National PTA Work Group Resolution under Resolutions Committee, with Resolution Approved
  • Authored articles for National PTA publications: Our Children magazine; PTA Advocacy Changes Lives
  • 2006-2015 VA PTA positions: Education Chair, Legislation Committee, Admin & Policy (A & P) Chair, Strategic Plan Team Leader, Extension Member, Resolutions, and various Committees
  • PTSA President/VP Centreville HS (2009-12) and President/VP Thomas Jefferson HSST (2004-06), FCPS 


Community Involvement

Current Service Includes:

  • Chair, Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. Board of Directors, County Board of Supervisors At Large Rep, 2020-26
  • Fairfax County 250th Anniversary Commission Member, Sully District Representative, 2025-2027
  • Fairfax County Successful Children and Youth Policy Team (SCYPT) Community Co-Chair, FCCPTA Representative, 2025-2027


Past Service Includes:

  • Fairfax County BOS Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Selection Committee, Sully District Rep 2019-2022
  • Fairfax County BOS Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB), Sully District Rep 2019-2022
  • Member – Fairfax League of Women Voters; Member - NAACP Fairfax Chapter
  • Founding member of Fairfax County Coalition – Invest in Fairfax and Fairfax County Meals Tax Campaign
  • Virginia Middle School Association, VA PTA Representative Member, 2013-2015
  • Virginia Safe Routes to School (SRTS) member, promoted their programs and grants to schools
  • Virginia Education Coalition (VEC) member, VA PTA Representative, 2009-2011
  • Business Partnership Chair for elementary and middle school PTAs, 2003-2008


Honors and Awards

  • 2021 Lady Fairfax, Sully District Honoree, in recognition for community service and education advocacy
  • 2019 Volunteer Fairfax, Senior Volunteer Nominee; 2019 Virginia Volunteer & Service Awards Nominee
  • 2018 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Champion Award, 2019 Champion Nominee
  • National PTA Life Achievement Award, received March 30, 2017
  • FCPS School Board Resolution for Community Service Award 2016
  • Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) President’s Advocacy Award 2015
  • NAACP Fairfax Community Service Award 2015
  • Virginia PTA President’s Honor Award – 2012 and 2022; Virginia PTA Lifetime Membership Award - 2010
  • U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Service Ribbon; Honorable Discharge


Candidate Narrative

I have been fortunate to serve in a variety of career pathways, including service in the U.S. Army, serving in various community organizations, and in PTA leadership positions at all PTA levels, most recently as a member of National PTA NLRC.  Serving as a representative on the National PTA Board of Directors, I would aspire to be an active and engaged board member with dedicated service to our PTA constituents and embrace contributing to the new 2027 Strategic Plan.

Being able to learn valuable lessons and gain extensive experience in my professional career, volunteering with community non-profit organizations and county government committees, as well as serving in various PTA leadership positions for the past 24+ years has provided me with a strong leadership foundation.  My current and past volunteer experiences and expansive non-profit knowledge support the PTA mission, current 2021-2026 National PTA Strategic Plan, and the objectives of a National PTA Board Member.

During my career, I have always strived to lead with honesty, compassion, encouragement, support, and with gratitude to all.  Having served in the US Army, as a public education substitute teacher, being employed in a church, volunteering with community organizations and non-profit boards, and being engaged with PTA has given me a strong foundation of service to others.  My priorities are to my family, to honor the military, advocate for children and families, support our community partners, to share the value of PTA membership, and increase leadership capacity.  Having such well-rounded life experiences contributes to building strong teams.

As Fairfax County Council PTA President representing 175 PTAs, I have organized programs and events to celebrate our rich diversity, support student and family needs, and engage our local PTAs. I hope you will trust in my ability and dedication to serving as a National PTA Board Member.