About the Founder

Derrick N. Terry


Derrick serves as Chief Executive Officer of Edvocare, LLC (special education advocacy organization) and Records Officer for the U.S. federal government. Derrick is a former 20-year special educator, adjunct professor, and 28-year retired military reserves war-veteran.

Derrick is a military-brat who moved to Edgewood from Germany as a third grader and later graduated from Edgewood High School. Originally, from Birmingham, Alabama, Derrick has always stayed true to his southern roots but states he owes a lot of his academic, sense of giving, and social maturity to the great teachers/coaches during his time at Edgewood Elementary, Middle, and High School as well as the many village parents. This is where Derrick developed a passion for mentoring youth and giving back to his community what was so generously given to him.

Derrick is regularly active in the community as a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was appointed as a board member on the Governor of MD Board of Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Educational Programs and currently services as Vice-Chair of the Charles County Board of Commissioners Police Accountability Board. Moreover, Derrick has moderated several social justice, education, and mental health forums as Derrick chooses to be part of the solution vs. part of the problem in his community.

Derrick is a two-time author of I’m Not Complaining, I’m Just Sayin’…Memoirs of the Good and Bad in the Education System and Never Judge a Book by Its Cover…It is ok to talk about mental illness.  As a former educator, Derrick's first book chronicles the good and bad in the education system.  Derrick's second book chronicles his struggles with mental illness and how seeking professional help saved his life.  Also, Derrick is a basketball/football referee and has a deep passion for mentoring youth.


Derrick holds a B.A./M.A degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Towson University, an A.A.P.S degree in Information Management from the Community College of Air Force, and received an Advanced Professional Special Education Certification from the VA/MD Departments of Education. 

EDVOCARE