Dede Stephens started with the Choctaw Nation as a Trainer in 2016. Prior to that, she had 20+ years in the public school system as a School Counselor, Librarian, Teacher, District Test Coordinator and School Psychologist & Psychometrist.

She has a Master of Education in Library Media Science and a Master of Education in School Counseling from East Central University. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood endorsement from SOSU.

Dede loves spending time with family and enjoying almost anything outdoors (baseball, softball, fishing, gardening, hunting and cooking for friends and family.) She and husband Travis live in Coleman with three of their four children.