Dedrick Sims’ Letter of Interest
I am pleased to submit my letter of interest and resume to you for consideration as a
member of your team as the Head of School. As a former urban school leader and
current charter school Founder and Executive Director, I understand the importance of
high-quality school leadership, specifically, high-quality school leadership that's focused
on driving dramatic student achievement. I truly believe that it's the leader in the school
that makes the difference in whether or not students achieve dramatic gains or not and
organizations meet performance goals. The leader sets the tone, sense of urgency, and
the goals for all staff and students as it relates to achievement at all levels of the school.
Because I have had successful school leadership experience, a deep understanding of
what it takes to lead a start up organization, and understanding of the challenges that
urban school principals face, as well as experience with setting the vision and building a
coalition of support specifically to ensure the long term sustainability of work from the
ground up, I think I am an exceptional candidate for the Head of School position. As the
founder of a start-up charter school in Denver, Colorado, I have the experience of being
responsible for the design, planning, fundraising (grants and campaigns), staffing,
facilities contract negotiation and acquisition, political networking, and implementing a
strategy for successful execution of a highly visible community organization and asset
while working with the local education, business, faith, and government sectors.
As a results-driven leader, outcomes are extremely important to me. I will share a quick
summary of some of my recent results that are relevant to this position:
• Oversight of a capital campaign that raised $2.5 million dollars for tenant
improvements for our new school facility.
• Secured over $1million through grants, foundations, and private donors in 18
months to support general school operations and specific programs.
• Managed a team of 21 that included school administration and classroom
instructors.
• Developed and managed a school operations budget of $1.6 million dollars and
assets worth over $2 million dollars.
• Develop formal partnerships with departments within the City of Denver as a
means to leverage fund and resources.
• Secured $250K from Mile High Community Fund department within the City of
Denver offices.
• Wrote and was awarded a $50,000 grant from Verizon Wireless to support the
school STEM program.
• Served as a member of the Denver Public Schools “Compact Blue” cohort which
liaised for charter school interests in the 2012 Mill Levy Bond.
• Worked with state senators, representatives, and district councilmen on school
finance act legislation and collaborated with local district councilmen on
developing youth leadership initiative.
I look forward with great expectation in discussing with you my potential contributions to
your education program. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Dedrick J. Sims
DEDRICK J. SIMS
272 Las Lomas Street, Brighton, CO 80601
303-513-4723: [email protected]
ACADEMIC PREPARATION:
M.S in Instructional Design/Development, College of Education, University of South
Alabama, Mobile, AL, May 2013
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M.Ed in Secondary Science, College of Education, University of South Alabama,
Mobile, AL, May 2005
Concentration: Composite Science
• B.S in Biology, College of Arts and Science, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine
Bluff, AR, May 1998
LEADERSHIP TRAINING:
• LEADERSHIP DENVER (2014 COHORT)
• SUPES Superintendent’s Academy (2011 Cohort)
• HARVARD UNIVERSITY Project Zero Leadership and Critical Thinking course
(summer 2007)
• NEW YORK UNIVERSITY KIPP School Leadership Institute (summer 2009)
• NEW LEADERS FOR NEW SCHOOLS Instructional Leadership Training (fall 2009
and spring 2010)
• GULF COAST BUSINESS COUNCIL Leadership Masters Cohort (fall 2008)
• UNITED STATES ARMY Officer Training School (fall and spring 1998)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Sims-Fayola International Academy (Denver, CO): (2010Present)
Area of Responsibility: Vision & Strategic Planning
Relevant Results:
• Wrote the Sims-Fayola International Academy Charter.
• Recruited and set training objectives for Founding Board of Directors as well as initial Governing
Board.
• Developed organizational Strategic Plan and Unified Improvement Plan.
• Collaborated with Chief Financial Officer to develop financial policies and procedures to include
fiscal safeguards.
• Worked with Board of Directors to develop board bylaws and articles, to include the establishment
of board policies and procedures.
Area of Responsibility: Organizational Development & Financial Management.
Relevant Results:
• Managed the operations of the organization including fiscal oversight, academic leadership,
personnel services, transportation, nutrition services, custodial services, maintenance, facilities,
and technology.
• Oversight of a capital campaign that raised $2.5 million dollars for tenant improvements for our new
school facility. Secured over $1million through grants, foundations, and private donors.
• Developed and managed a school operations budget of $1.6 million dollars and assets worth over $2
million dollars.
• Managed over $900K in information technology (IT) infrastructure.
• Secured $585K federal CSP grant to support school operations.
• Secured $250K from Mile High Community Fund department within the City of Denver offices.
Area of Responsibility: External Relations
Relevant Results:
• Managed public relations in various capacities: newsletter development, website design, panelists,
and conference presentations.
• Secured and managed 10 external partnerships for our school that supported our mentoring, STEM,
and “college going” programs.
• Collaborated with Denver Public Schools district leadership to enhance school health and wellness
goals through grant work.
• Served as a member of the Denver Public Schools “Compact Blue” cohort which liaised for charter
school interests in the 2012 Mill Levy Bond.
• Worked with state senators, representatives, and district councilmen on school finance act legislation
and collaborated with local district councilmen on developing youth leadership initiative.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL LEDADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD
• PRINCIPAL: Miller McCoy Academy of Mathematics and Business: (2010-2011)
• PRINCIPAL, KIPP: McDonough 15 Middle School (New Orleans): (2009 – 2010)
• DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, Moss Point School District: (20072009)
• CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, Zen Educational Consulting Group: (2005 – 2009)
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
• United States Army Officer, 1997-2001 (2000-2001 reserve)
INSTRUCTIONAL POSITIONS HELD
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Alternative School Science Instructor, 2006- 2007
University Instructor, 2006-2008
High School Biology Teacher, 1999-2003
HONORS/ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Gubernatorial appointee for the Colorado Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Council (2013-Current)
• Senior Education Advisor to Mississippi State Representative Jeremy Anderson, (2013 –
Current)
• Selected as the Charter School Leader of the Year (2014)
• Selected as a Man Of Distinction by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (2014)
• Selected as an African American Who’s Making A Difference (2014)
• Nominee for the Kathy Hill-Young Community Spirit Award (2013)
• Nominated for a CNN Hero Award 2012 & 2013
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
• Board Co-Chair, Young Philanthropist Foundation
• Member, Denver African American Philanthropist
• Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
• Leadership Denver 2014
• Metro Denver Urban League Young Professionals
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
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Colorado Ethics In Business Selection Committee Member
Gulf Coast Business Council Educational Research Committee
Co-Chairperson, Jackson County Effective Education Committee
University of South Alabama Diversity Council
Mobile Alabama Mayor’s Educational/Workforce Taskforce
Mobile County Public School System Career Technical Advisory Board
Leadership Denver 2014
Colorado Governor’s Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 2014-2016