A former gang member who left his troubled childhood behind with the help of his educators has been named Missouri’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.
Darrion Cockrell has taught physical education at Crestwood Elementary in St. Louis since 2014. The father of one refers to his job as “the best job in the world,” in stark contrast to his traumatic start in life.
Cockrell, who is known by his students as “Mr. DC,” was born to a mother with a substance abuse problem who had two children out of a total of six by the age of 16. His father was murdered when he was 4 years old, and Cockrell was ferried in and out of the foster care system after turning 6.
He hated school, believing he was “born to fail,” and became a six-deuce-87 Kitchen Crip gang member at the tender age of 10.
Desperate for a way out, Cockrell turned to his middle school faculty for support. “I had a lot of struggles and a lot of hurdles, and if not for those educators, I would not be here today,” he reflected.
Unbeknown to Cockrell, members of the faculty lobbied court on his behalf, getting him removed from his dangerous neighborhood and placed in a boys’ home. In seventh grade, Cockrell was formally adopted by his football coach and his wife.
His self-worth, perspective, and prospects improved radically. Cockrell even followed in his adoptive father’s footsteps when choosing a career.
During the virtual Teacher of the Year presentation, addressing other educators, Cockrell said: “All it takes is one person.
“Why not let it be you who makes that positive impact in the lives of our students?”
With myriad life lessons behind him, Cockrell teaches more than physical fitness. He “builds healthy hearts,” imparting the confidence, compassion, and drive to help his own students overcome the obstacles that life will throw at them.
