Derek Lesser was born on March 3, 1974, in the small town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Raised by two educators, Derek enjoyed a comfortable middle-class upbringing. His father's Jewish heritage and experiences during the challenging times of the 1940s to '60s influenced Derek's appreciation for culture and human rights. Derek pursued undergraduate studies in education with a Bachelor of Education deg
ree. He then continued into post-graduate studies taking degrees in educational technology and counseling. His last master’s degree was in Administration and Leadership. Over his career, he has worked as a school administrator and counselor while also serving as Director of the International Student Program at the Regional Center for Education. This role allowed him to bring international students to Nova Scotia to share their cultures. Derek did not spend a lot of time counselling as he pursued his work in school administration and the regulations around what qualifications a school counsellor would need also changed around this time in Nova Scotia. A passionate traveler who enjoys exploring unfamiliar places, Derek has always had an interest in helping others. As a counselor working with high school students experiencing mental distress such as anxiety or depression, he sought effective coping strategies that could supply relief without requiring extensive background knowledge. Outside his professional life, Derek is actively involved in community service activities including delivering food to those in need and collecting furniture donations for redistribution within his hometown of Yarmouth. Derek was chosen as a town councilor amid COVID-19 pandemic in 2020; he stays engaged with technological advancements — particularly artificial intelligence—and its potential applications for addressing mental health concerns. Derek used some AI applications to help format this book. As a lifelong learner dedicated to sharing knowledge with others, it is no surprise that two of his three children have become registered nurses while his son runs both fishing operations and an excavation company following entrepreneurial pursuits inspired by their maternal great-grandfather. From selling clothing items during high school summers to engaging deeply with global issues today; Derek continues striving towards creating opportunities that contribute positively toward society—a testament to his unwavering passion for making the world better place through compassionately aiding others. Derek’s ancestry is complex and due to his Jewish routes and his relatives being expelled from Lithuania; He is unfortunately not able to accurately track all his culture. The story he has heard over time is that when his great grandfather arrived at Ellis Island in New York with a Jewish sounding last name, they renamed him with “Lesser” as he was “Lesser” of a person
