Man Leaves Painful Childhood and Gang Life Behind, Becomes Missouri’s Teacher of the Year

Man Leaves Painful Childhood and Gang Life Behind, Becomes Missouri’s Teacher of the Year
Courtesy of MO Dept' of Elementary and Secondary Education
Updated:

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.