Education
Former Gang Member Turns Life Around to Become Missouri’s 2021 Teacher of the Year
Darrion Cockrell , who was recently named Missouri’s 2021 Teacher of the Year., was a gang member by the time he reached the age of 10.
When Darrion Cockrell was 10 years old, he was already a gang member, heading down a dark path in life.
Life as a gang member
“We were just already in it because of our family,” Cockrell told Good Morning America of that chapter of his life.
“I didn’t care about books… I had to go home and figure out what I was eating…I had to figure out if my lights were going to be on.”
2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year
This year, the 34-year-old elementary school physical education teacher who works in Crestwood, Missouri, is now Missouri’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.
“I still can’t believe it,” Cockrell told Good Morning America of the honor, which has been bestowed on only 51 other people in the state of Missouri.
But it wasn’t an easy road as Cockrell had to face many obstacles to become a teacher.
Darrion Cockrell was raised in foster care
Growing up, Cockrell had trouble finding a stable living situation.
He was raised as a young child by both his grandmother and a series of revolving foster parents after his father, a drug dealer, was murdered and his mother battled drug addiction, according to Cockrell.
Teachers saved his life
Cockrell credits his teachers with saving his life when he was a young gang member in St. Louis, Missouri.
When he was in the seventh grade after his grandmother again lost custody of him and his siblings, Cockrell’s football coach and his wife took him into their home. He lived with them until graduating high school.
Crockrell went on to play football for two years in college and eventually earned a degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Darrion Cockrell becomes a teacher
Two years after graduating from college, Cockrell, now married and a father of a 3-year-old son, landed his first full-time teaching job at Crestwood Elementary, where he is in his sixth year of teaching physical education to students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Known as “Mr. DC” to students and his fellow teachers, Cockrell has taken his love for physical education to the whole community.
He started the Crest-Fit training program that provides after-school workouts for teachers and students’ families and the Dads’ Club Open Gym, a weekly event for local dads to play basketball.
Cockrell, who is the first male to win Missouri’s top education award since 2015, said he is particularly happy to win the award for his work teaching physical education, the class he credits with keeping him in school as a kid.
“PE is just as important as social studies and science and math,” he said.
“As long as you understand those building blocks of fitness and health and taking care of yourself, then you can do anything you want in the world.”
Culture
‘A Different World’ cast set to reunite for 10-City HBCU tour
The tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by stops in Washington DC, Montgomery, Alabama and more.
In celebration of the sitcom’s 35+ year legacy, the cast of ‘A Different World’ will reunite for a national 10-city tour across HBCUs, reports PEOPLE.
A Different World HBCU tour
Darryl M. Bell (Ronald ‘Ron’ Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly ‘Kim’ Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleophus Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred ‘Freddie’ Brooks), Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford ‘Brad’ Taylor) and Sinbad (Walter Oakes) will participate on the tour.
The tour will feature panels and other events and will also be joined by producers Debbie Allen and Susan Fales.
Dates
The HBCU tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Georgia at Atlanta University Center, which include Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College.
Other locations include Washington, D.C. (hosted by Howard University) and Montgomery, Ala. (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University). Both will be in April but no date has been released yet.
More dates will be announced soon.
Education
Spelman College receives $100 million donation, the highest in the college’s history
Spelman College has received its largest donation of $100 million from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust.
Spelman College has received its largest donation of $100 million from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust.
$100 million donation for Spelman is a blessing
The $100 million comes as the nation’s oldest historically Black college for women celebrates 100 years since its official name change from Spelman Baptist Seminary in Sept. 1924.
The college says the gift will help retain the best and brightest students by eliminating financial barriers during the admission process.
“We are invigorated and inspired by this incredible act of generosity,” said Dr. Helene Gayle, president of Spelman College during an interview on CBS Mornings.
“This gift is a critical step in our school’s mission to eliminate financial barriers to starting and finishing a Spelman education. We can’t thank Ronda Stryker enough for her selflessness and support as both a trustee and friend. There’s no doubt that Spelman College is better because of her.”
Spelman is Top ranked
Spelman College has been ranked as the #1 Historically Black College and / or University by U.S. News for 17 consecutive years.
The college has a variety of degree/major offerings but they produce the most graduates who pursue a PhD in science, technology, engineering or math, according to The National Science Foundation.
About Ronda Stryker
Ronda Stryker is an American billionaire heiress and granddaughter of Homer Stryker, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Stryker Corporation.
Education
Maryland principal accused of making racist and antisemitic comments
A Maryland principal is in hot water over an audio recording that has been making rounds on social media containing racist and antisemitic comments.
A Maryland principal is in hot water over an audio recording that has been making rounds on social media containing racist and antisemitic comments.
Maryland principal accused of making racist comments
In it, a person purported to be Pikesville’s High School principal, can be heard making disparaging comments about the test scores of African American students.
The person on the recording then makes an offensive comment about an African American staff member at the school and members of the Pikesville Jewish community.
Is the audio real?
There is an investigation into the validity of the recording. Some officials believe the audio is fake and is A.I. constructed. Baltimore County schools said they are taking the matter seriously.
Statement from school district
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued a statement in response.
“Hate, discrimination, and prejudice have no place in our community — especially in our schools. The statements being circulated are abhorrent, and my administration is providing our full support to BCPS as they conduct as they conduct a thorough investigation. Following the conclusion of this investigation, I know swift action will be taken to hold those involved accountable.”
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