For David and Debra “Deb” Pratt, teaching isn’t just a profession — it’s a shared passion that has defined their lives and careers at Purdue University Northwest (previously Purdue University North Central). Deb Pratt started her journey at the university as a part-time faculty member in 1999, and David Pratt joined in 2002. With a combined legacy of over 40 years at Purdue Northwest, the Pratts share a deep connection to the university’s reputation for excellence and its mission to provide high-quality education.
Their stories reflect a commitment to making a lasting impact on their students and the broader academic community.
“I come from a family of teachers. My grandfather taught for many years, and my father was a high school teacher when I was growing up,” said David Pratt. ”At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to follow in their footsteps, but I discovered how much I love helping people learn. After graduating, I started teaching elementary and middle school students and spent 10 years in the classroom. During that time, I also went to school to deepen my understanding of teaching and improve my skills. Before I knew it, I had earned a couple of master’s degrees and eventually a PhD, the highest degree in the field.”
Deb Pratt's journey was different. As the first in her family to attend college, she created a new path and navigated her higher education independently, shaping her path.
“I’m a first-generation college student. In my family, no one had gone to college; it wasn’t even considered an option,” said Deb Pratt. “As I grew older, I realized I was good with kids and decided to pursue teaching. I became what they call a nontraditional student, going to school while working and raising children. I chose Purdue Northwest for my master’s, and the professors there saw something I didn’t see in myself. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was working at Purdue Northwest. It has been an incredible journey.”
Both Pratts have a deep passion for teaching. For them, teaching isn’t just a career choice; it feels like a calling. They believe they were chosen to be teachers and take the responsibility of influencing their students very seriously.
“We’ve developed lasting friendships and relationships with many of our former students,” said Deb Pratt. “Even today, we still interact with graduates from 20 years ago who have become teachers. We meet with them in various settings and continue collaborating in different ways. We both strongly believe you can’t retain connections with former students unless you’ve built meaningful relationships with them. As educators, that’s something we prioritize—creating those lasting bonds. It’s been over 20 years for us, and we’re grateful for the connections we've maintained with our alumni.”
David Pratt became a professor rather than teaching younger students because he realized he could have a more significant impact by helping others become better teachers. This is important to him, as he believes he can inspire and equip future educators to make a lasting difference in students' lives.
“One of the many bonuses of being at Purdue Northwest is the smaller, more intimate family setting where you get to know the students well,” said David Pratt. “There’s also great leadership potential, and even though I was faculty, I had opportunities to lead various committees, faculty senate, and other campus groups where I could make a real impact. Because the institution is smaller, I connected better with the students. One of the greatest benefits of being at Purdue Northwest is the personal connection with students. You see them grow and walk across the stage, and often, you’ve had them multiple times in small class settings, which allows you to understand their personalities and help shape them into great teachers. ”
One memorable story David Pratt likes to share from their teaching careers is how Deb Pratt, who grew up in the area and taught kindergarten at Westville Elementary School, later realized that some former kindergarten students were now in her college classes.
“She recalls having a handful of students she taught as kindergartners and then saw again as college students,” David Pratt said. “Since we taught at the Purdue North Central campus in Westville, the likelihood of this happening was high.”
Outside of work, Deb Pratt enjoys spending time with her grandkids. At the same time, David Pratt is a renaissance man with various talents, from singing to playing the piano, and they support each other with their different strengths, as Deb Pratt relies on David Pratt for tech support. He turns to her for advice and ideas. Together, they enjoy a fulfilling life by the beach in Ogden Dunes hiking and traveling. Their strong marriage is built on mutual respect, love, and a shared commitment to their professional and personal lives.
“It’s been nice because we truly appreciate and respect each other’s ideas,” said David Pratt. “That’s so important, especially as colleagues. Recently, I became the head of the program, but I don’t have any responsibility over Deb—I’m not her supervisor. Even though my role might make it seem like I am, I make it clear that I’m not, and she reminds me of that every day. It’s been a wonderful experience for both of us.”