Our Mission
The purpose for the Immigrant Education Collaborative is simply to create a community that provides the best strategies for supporting immigrant families as they successfully navigate the K-12 American school system in preparation for their child’s professional future.
Our Vision
With a global perspective, our aim is to equip immigrant families with the empowering information necessary for them to have a powerful impact in the United States, in their homelands. and around the world. Support from IEC will allow your family to achieve your goals and create a beautiful legacy, potentially for generations to come.
Our Values
Authenticity and Integrity are the best words to describe the fundamentals of our approach. It is our responsibility to properly inform and support parents like you throughout your journey to ensure your child’s successful career. At IEC, we are uniquely positioned to provide the services that will help support immigrant families, and it is an honor that we do not take lightly. Keep reading below to learn more about how our one-of-a-kind collaborative was created to establish the same kind of informed and experienced educational community support that its founder, Derek Andrews, wished his own parents had when he moved to America back in 1985.
My Story
Now, you might be asking, Derek Andrews, why should I invest in my child’s success with you?
As a school and career counselor with over two decades of experience and an immigrant who has personally experienced the struggles of navigating the American education system, I understand how important comprehensive support is to ensuring your child’s ultimate career success. I am committed to helping you unlock your child’s career potential and overcoming the challenges that so many immigrant parents in the United States face.
I’d like to share my story to demonstrate to you why I am passionate about helping to provide opportunities for children with immigrant parents who did not attend high school in the United States. You’ll immediately see why I’d like to be the person to guide and support you in this area.
First, I want to take a moment to reflect on my own journey and experiences as an immigrant navigating the American education system.
Today, my life is filled with gratitude and a deep sense of purpose. As a parent myself, I have gained a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that immigrant families face when it comes to securing a bright future for their children. Through my work, I have witnessed firsthand the patterns that lead to success, and I am deeply compelled to share the PASS Framework (Passion-Aligned Support System) with you.
But life wasn’t always this way for me. Born in paradise on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I moved to Brooklyn, New York at the age of 10 to be reunited with my mother. The bustling streets of New York City in the 80s were a far cry from the peaceful island life I was accustomed to. As a young immigrant, I struggled to navigate the unfamiliar and confusing American education system, facing challenges that many of you are all too familiar with.
My parents, like many immigrants, had no experience with the American public school system. They did their best to enroll me in good schools, but the lack of information and guidance meant that I had to figure things out on my own. It wasn’t until I reached college that I truly understood the impact of my journey. Comparing my experiences with those of my college peers, I began to realize the price I had paid.
Here’s an example of how, because I didn’t recognize the need for early academic preparation, I couldn’t benefit from the advantages that come with maximizing those long summers. When I was twelve and just beginning to enjoy reading my weekly subscription of Sports Illustrated. I missed the ideal window to turn my early appreciation for grammar and writing into the five years of SAT prep that are optimal by my junior year of high school to confidently test and position myself for the best college opportunities at the lowest cost. Instead of starting my SAT prep in the summertime during middle school and throughout my first two years of high school, I like most of my friends, got lulled into the “lazy days of summer.”
Through my own personal challenges and lessons learned successfully working with hundreds of students over two decades. I have gained a deep understanding of the needs of immigrant parents, and I founded Immigrant Education Collaborative to share the insights and strategies that I know can help you provide the best opportunities for your child, without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
I ultimately learned to turn missteps into lessons that can lead to triumph. I have walked in your shoes as the son of immigrant parents, and as a first-generation American parent myself, I understand the challenges you face, and I am here to provide you with the tools and guidance you need to help your child thrive in the American education system. I encourage you to allow me to be a part of your family’s journey.
Derek Andrews
Derek Andrews’ career journey began with earning an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from Montgomery College-Takoma Park. After community college and ultimately identifying the field he has remained most passionate about, Derek earned his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland-College Park. With total dedication and persistence, Derek now holds a M.A. in School and Career Counseling from George Washington University and has been supporting students and their parents as a school and career counselor for more than twenty years.
Additionally, Derek holds a Post Master’s certificate in Sports Counseling from California University of Pennsylvania and a certificate in Financial Planning from Georgetown University’s School of Professional Development. Derek lives and works in Washington, D.C. and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.