Mother, Culinary Teacher Shares ‘Recipe for Success’

CAPE MAY – One question that most everyone has a clear response to is, “Who was your favorite teacher?” For many students of Lower Cape May Regional High School (LCMR), Practical/Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Teacher Debbie Sundstrom, is the answer.
In this day and age, teachers have become far more than a memory of who taught us to read, write, add and subtract. Teachers have become not only educators, but counselors, mentors, confidants, and yes…even parental figures.
According to Sundstrom’s 23-year-old daughter, Rebecca Sundstrom, her mother has been crucial to both the educational and emotional success of her students.
“My mother has helped so many young adults in the last 11 years that she has been at LCMR,” said Rebecca Sundstrom. “My mother has helped guide many students of LCMR to pursue their dreams…not only in culinary arts, but in everyday life.”
Sundstrom’s zest for education was clearly defined early on. At the ripe old age of 5, a teacher told Sundstrom’s mother, Betty Leadingham, “Debbie is going to be a teacher one day.”
Sundstrom went on to attend college, attaining a degree in business and education. While visiting Cape May County (from Maryland) in the summer of 1983, she met her future husband, Harry (Bud)…and never left. The couple has been married for 31 years.
Sundstrom initially spent seven years teaching elementary students Consumer Family Science, and then fifth and sixth-grade students as a reading specialist. Her passion for education was second only to her passion for connecting with her students on a much deeper level; one that insisted she treat each student as an individual with emphasis on the long-term impact her interaction would have on them.
“What I love is that every day is a new day,” said Sundstrom. “You never know what kind of mood or life your student is coming from. You have to always consider how you’re going to affect your students. Not just in a temporary sense … but for a lifetime.”
When her first child was born, Sundstrom made the difficult decision to leave the teaching field, spending the next 15 years as a stay-at-home mother. She became very involved in the community, doing volunteer work, shuttling her children to all of their activities, with a focus on creating a nurturing environment for them to thrive in, both educationally and emotionally.
“My family means everything to me,” affirmed Sundstrom.
Once her children were all in high school, Sundstrom suddenly found herself lost and searching for a renewed purpose. As a driven person, she felt she had been a good mother and had been very involved in her community, but something was missing. Then a shock came with the unexpected and untimely passing of her beloved mother. It was then that Sundstrom recalled something her mother had told her prior to her passing.
“Debbie, you’ve never been as happy as when you were teaching.”
Then the call came.
It was the principal of LCMR offering her a position as a Consumer Family Science teacher (which is now known as Practical Arts) for grades seven through 12. Two and one-half weeks later, Sundstrom reignited her passion for teaching that had been with her since she was a small child, and the rest is history.
“I love it,” said Sundstrom. “I only wish I had gone back sooner. I love my job. I love teaching. This is my passion. Teaching has its challenges, but I truly try to find some common ground with my students. It’s a life skill.”
As a result of her total commitment to student development, Sundstrom is a three-time recipient of the Most Influential Teacher Award; most recently for 2015. An award that her daughter feels she should receive every year.
“Not only do I and my siblings (Ashley, 28, and Roy, 25) rely on her for support, but she goes all the way in making each of her students feel just as supported in whatever they are going through,” said Rebecca. “She is always going out of her way for her students. I know many would agree on what a beautiful soul she has. Her Facebook is always an outpouring of love from her past students and friends who know her. My mom is by far the most kind-hearted and giving woman.”
Sundstrom, who recently became a grandmother, has made a tremendous impact on many of the residents of Lower Township in Rebecca’s opinion. Many of her students have gone on to build successful careers in various fields, to include becoming chefs and restaurateurs due to her guidance and encouragement. But Sundstrom states the students and community have equally impacted her life, and shares her “recipe for success,” simply:
“Be true to yourself and always follow your passion. If you do what you love, it won’t feel like work. I’ve found my purpose … and that’s what life is all about.”
To contact Jorena Faulkner, email jfaulkner@cmcherald.com.