Deborah Harrell grew up in Tucson, Ariz., where she developed a love of teaching and a passion for helping children develop a deeper understanding of the gospel. She graduated with a bachelor's in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Arizona. In 1987 she married her husband, Jason. They have an adult daughter, Sarah.

Deborah has taught for more than 30 years in both public and private schools across the United States. In 2000 Deborah joined a short-term teaching team in Malaga, Spain, to work with Third Culture Kids with Serge. That two-week trip turned out to be a calling to full-time service for Serge.

Since 2001, Deborah has served as the Overseas Educational Advisor for Serge. She supports mission families by partnering with them as they explore the best educational atmosphere for their children. Deborah reviews and evaluates various curricula for home school or other educational environments. She provides educational seminars on Third Culture Kids, oversees the Serge child protection policy, and writes curriculum for both children and adults. Deborah is the co-author of What's Up? Discovering the Gospel, Jesus, and Who You Really Are, a middle school Bible study, and The Gospel Centered Parent.