Derrick A. Hopkins

Derrick A. Hopkins was born and raised in the Adirondacks.  He attended Keeseville Elementary School where his sixth grade teacher, Ann Slattery, inspired him to become an elementary teacher.  He continued his education at AVCS and excelled in math, sciences, foreign languages, music, and theatre.

In 1996, Derrick received his AA in Humanities and Social Science degree from Clinton Community College.  While at CCC, Derrick was recognized by becoming the college's first recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the highest award given to a student in New York State.  He transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh and received his BS and MS in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics.  While at SUNY Plattsburgh, Derrick excelled in music, participated in the College Chorale, Cardinal Singers, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, and was featured as King Kaspar in the opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors. He has continued his education receiving his 7-8 certifications in mathematics and ELA. Derrick is currently enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh in the 7-12 Special Education certificate program with the hopes of finishing this degree by the spring of 2026.

Derrick began his teaching career in 2000 at St. John's Academy (Plattsburgh, NY) as a middle school science teacher.  The following year he was hired at Willsboro Central School as an elementary teacher where he has been employed for the past 18 years.  He has taught second grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, AIS, computers, music, middle school science, high school theatre, and college-level theatre courses.  For two semesters, Derrick worked for SUNY Plattsburgh teaching Introduction to Acting.  Briefly, he worked for CVES as an ELA Coach where he travelled to NCCS, Keene Valley, Ticonderoga, Elizabethtown-Lewis, Crown Point, and Willsboro assisting teachers navigate the Common Core standards.  Also, from time to time, Derrick is asked to facilitate New York State test correcting through CVES. He made the difficult decision to leave Willsboro after 20-years to be employed through AuSable Valley, his children's district. While at AVCS, he taught 11 English, 11 English Intervention, 8 Math, 8 Math Intervention, Introduction to Acting, and was the NWEA Administrator for the district. During this time, he received training in Canva as well as Circle through Sweethearts & Heroes.

Derrick has been directing school and community productions in the area since 1998 including Annie, Avenue Q, Cabaret, Chicago, Company, Damn Yankees, Hello Dolly!, Into the Woods, The King and I, The Last Five Years, Mothers and Sons, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Next to Normal, Oklahoma!, Peter Pan, Rabbit Hole, Rent, Songs for a New World, The Sound of Music, Steel Magnolias, Wit, among many others. He had the privilege and honor to direct Leslie and George Hearn in South Pacific and Mame.  Derrick also served as advisor / director of several AVCS shows including Anything Goes, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, and West Side Story.  In 2001, Derrick established and continues to maintain the Willsboro Drama Club.  In 20-years, he has mounted 40 plays and musicals. Most recently, he mounted Fiddler on the Roof, Jekyll & Hyde, and Cabaret at the Strand Center Theater.

In 2006, Derrick earned his membership into the Actors’ Equity Association by playing Fessik in the workshop of Adam Guettel’s (Tony Winner) musical adaptation of The Princess Bride by William Goldman.  He worked alongside Broadway stars Matthew Morrison (Glee, Tony Nominee), Dick Latessa (Hairspray, Tony Winner), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ragtime, Tony Winner), Brooks Ashmanskas (The Prom, Tony Nominee), Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Tony Nominee), and Judith Blazer (Titanic).

Derrick is the current president and founder of Artistry Community Theatre (ACT) Corp.  Its goal is to present musicals and plays in the North Country, while elevating and valuing artists.  ACT received great acclaim from audiences , and is continuing to grow with more ambitious seasons each year.  Musicals are now mounted at the historic Strand Center Theater. Visit www.artistrytheatre.org for more information.

Becoming a certified foster parent at the end of 2017 is his greatest achievement.  By the next summer, a baby girl was placed in his care, and he immediately fell in love with being a Dad.  On August 28, 2018, he adopted his daughter, Vera Lee.  March 17, 2021, another baby was placed in his arms, a boy!. After a three year journey, Derrick adopted his son, Tedric Allen on April 10, 2024.  They both are his joy, and he is truly blessed!