About

I’m Deborah Ann Meidinger Hosey, and my life has been shaped by faith, family, and a deep commitment to serving others. For more than thirty years, I have worked in education and public service across Broward County and Miami‑Dade County, supporting children, families, seniors, and veterans with dignity and compassion.

A Family Story Rooted in Love and Resilience

I was born in Queens, New York, to my parents, Judy Ann Diaz and Roy J. Meidinger, who have been married for over sixty years. My mother, of Puerto Rican descent, entered kindergarten speaking only Spanish, while my father’s family immigrated from Ireland and Germany as well as had ties to early American settlers. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, education, hard work, and courage to speak up for justice - values that became the foundation of my own life.

A Work Ethic Built from Experience

I began working at age eleven delivering newspapers before and after school. Through high school and college, I held multiple jobs—from waitressing to banking—while becoming the first in my family’s history to earn a bachelor’s degree. Education opened doors for me, and teaching became my first passion. Helping students discover their strengths and dreams remains one of the greatest joys of my life.

Answering the Call to Serve as a First Responder

During a summer break from teaching, I was accepted and trained at the New York City EMT Academy. I worked the evening shift in the Bronx after teaching my students in the daytime. Responding to emergencies alongside firefighters and police officers gave me a profound respect for those who serve in dangerous situations.

Whether I was providing critical care to individuals who were homeless in subway tunnels, or arriving on the scene after violent incidents, or responding to the cries of a mother in labor inside a dark apartment lit only by candlelight, I witnessed firsthand the courage and compassion required of first responders — and I carry deep respect for those who continue this work today.

A Life Built in Florida

After moving to Florida more than thirty‑five years ago, I taught students from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Inspired to provide a quality education for all students, I earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida while teaching and working extra jobs to support my studies.

My career led me to Miami‑Dade County Public Schools, the fourth‑largest school district in the nation, where I served as a School Administrator at the elementary, middle, high school, and community school levels. I worked closely with students and families across the district, ensuring safe, supportive learning environments and helping students reach their full potential.

Taking some time off for the needs of my family, I later joined Broward County Public Schools, supervising an after‑school program and volunteering at my son’s school, where I earned the Crystal Apple Award for service.

Serving the Community through Leadership

A new chapter in my career began when I joined Broward County Government, where I served as the Human Services Administrator for Child Care Licensing and Enforcement. In this role, my agency oversaw more than 900 child care providers serving over 80,000 children across Broward County. Our work ensured that programs met strict safety and licensing standards, protecting children and supporting working families throughout the community.

I later served as the Human Services Administrator for Broward County Children’s Services. Both of these positions allowed me to collaborate closely with key partners to strengthen programs that support youth, families, and vulnerable populations. These partnerships included:

Florida Department of Children and Families
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Broward County Public Schools
Broward College
Children’s Services Council of Broward County
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Early Learning Coalition of Broward County
Numerous nonprofit organizations

Today, I serve as the Assistant Director for Elderly and Veterans Services, where our agency works directly with seniors, veterans, and their families — a role that has deepened my appreciation for the generations who built our communities and those who served our nation.

Our Family Journey

My husband, Bill, and I met in high school — he was even my prom date. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard an aircraft carrier. He completed his deployment which included a World Cruise, he then served in the Naval Reserves and received an Honorable Discharge. After getting married, we chose to move to the beautiful state of Florida to build our life together.

Bill pursued his passion for aviation, earning his Associate Degree at Broward College, then his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. He worked at Broward College overseeing the airplane hangar and instructing courses. Today he serves as an administrator for an international aviation manufacturing company.