Derek Francis

Manager of Counseling Services, Minneapolis Public Schools

Keynote: Addressing Racism in Schools to Heal our Country

Derek Francis began his counseling career at North High School in Minneapolis which was set to shut its doors the year prior due to declining enrollment. In four years, Derek and the North High team supported students from the lowest graduation rate in 2012 to them highest graduation rate in Minneapolis Public Schools. While at Champlin Park, Derek honed his skills for discussing and addressing major racial incidents with students and staff.

He currently serves as the Manager of Counseling Services for Minneapolis Public Schools and professional development consultant for Hatching Results. Derek specializes in helping students and staff build trusting cross cultural relationships and has presented at state and national conferences around the country. Summer of 2020, Derek lead a webinar for over 25,000 counselors and educators on “Proactive School Counseling After a Major Racial Incident.” Some of Derek’s published work includes contributions to Contemporary Case Studies in School Counseling, published blog “This Is Not A Fire Drill – Supporting students after George Floyd” and July/August publication articles for American School Counselors Association and American School Board Journal. Derek was quoted in a recent Time Magazine article titled “You Can’t Be Silent, Brace for Presidential Election.” Derek’s belief is that school counselors are key for bridging our country's racial divide. Spending time with his daughter, eating and traveling are Derek’s favorite hobbies.