Derek Kennard

Location: Blueprint Alternative Education Program

Professional Background:
I graduated from the University of Nevada with a degree in Criminal Justice, and from Ottawa University with a BA in Human Services and a psychology minor. I later went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

My career path has been varied and extremely active. I worked in Thomas Jefferson High School for five years—two years in the classroom, two as the Administrative Assistant Principal, and one year as the Athletic Director. I also worked at Justice Services Inc. (on and off for five years) and Dynamic Living Counseling (for two years) as a Domestic Violence and Anger Management Therapist. I was also the Executive Director of the DK Foundation, which offers a mentoring program for youths in Phoenix. I’m a retired board member from the NFLPA and NFL Alumni, where I served for 12 years.

Personal Life:
I married my high school sweetheart, Denise, over 26 years ago, and we have two sons, Derek Jr. and Devon Jay, and a daughter, Denisha. Derek Jr. and Devon are both active in sports. Derek Jr. is a physical trainer for athletes, and Devon is a student athlete at USC, now #42 on the football team’s defensive end. Go Trojans! Denisha is a cosmetologist and performs hair, nail and beauty treatments.

Derek Jr. and my daughter-in-law, Sharby, have given us two grandchildren, one-year-old Derek III (a.k.a. Tre), and three-year-old SaRae. The former terrorizes the latter. They’re like fire and ice!

Quote You Live By:
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a present.”

What draws you to Blueprint Education?
I like seeing the changes that proper direction can make in a student’s life. I enjoy helping people change their behavior from unacceptable to appropriate in order to set the stage for achieving their educational goals.