Southeastern New Mexico
Educational Resource Center

Jimmy L. Derrick,  Director    

November 15, 1999

To Whom It May Concern:

I was introduced to the Talent Based Leadership System(!) in 1998, when Career Dreams Incorporated (CDI) presented a series of workshops for faculty, staff and students in the eleven school districts served by the Southeastern New Mexico Educational Resource Center (SNMERC). I also contracted with CDI in 1999 and will again in 2000. The results have been so impressive that I volunteered my services as a founding board member of the Career Dreams Educational Foundation.

The violence that plagues our nation's schools is occurring because students are not aware of their talents, passions and brilliance. Neither are they aware that they can become fulfilled students and citizens when they connect their true talents and passions with a career that becomes a vital part of their dream. Through first-hand experience with the Career Dreams philosophy, I have come to believe that every student is BRILLIANT and that they will come to that realization only when these vital connections are made. Although not all students turn to violence, many are simply not reaching anywhere close to their potential, for the same reasons. But when students realize their brilliance and set career goals for the future -- goals that will enable them to become wage earners while doing what they love -- they become enthusiastic learners now. It doesn't take a genius to realize what will happen next; many problems that teachers struggle with daily in the classrooms will disappear .The Talent Based Leadership System makes those connections! I have seen it happen again and again, each time students and educators receive training and apply the process.

Spending our energy and limited funds attacking symptoms has to cease! Let's deal with the problem of unmotivated students -- those who are in school with no real purpose because they are neither in touch with themselves nor their education system. SNMERC contracted with Career Dreams on several projects, and virtually every participating school saw significant and immediate results. There is no doubt in my mind that this program gets to the heart of the problem with real solutions. We must find funds to implement the Talent Based Leadership System in a significant number of school districts across this country. Once the positive impact is recognized, I as a former superintendent of schools, believe school districts will seek their own funding to assure that it is implemented for their students

I unconditionally recommend the Career Dreams program to any school that is genuinely concerned about the future of its students and the future of education.

Yours for Relevant Education,

Jimmy Derrick, Director
Southeastern New Mexico Educational Resource Center

Southeastern School Districts in  Chaves, Eddy and Lea Counties
Established 1994