Darrion Cockrell

Darrion Cockrell is the 2020 Emerson’s Excellence in Teaching Award winner, Missouri’s 2021 Teacher of the Year (Missouri’s First Black Male Teacher of the Year) and NEA’s 2021 Horace Mann Friend of Education award winner. He’s also the 2022 California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence winner, 2023 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow, National Council of Negro Women 2023 Legacy Award winner, and Missouri’s 2023 Elementary Physical Educator of the Year.

Cockrell was born and raised in the city of St. Louis until the age of 14, at which point he was moved into a boy’s home in Creve Coeur where he stayed for a year. After a year in the boy’s home, he was adopted by his middle school football coach and lived with them for the next 11 years in Chesterfield. While living in Chesterfield, Cockrell attended both Parkway Central Middle and Central High School.

After playing college football at Millikin University for 2 years and injuring his shoulder, Cockrell returned home and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education/Physical Education and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. He also obtained a Master’s in Teacher Leadership K-12 at Walden University.

Cockrell, also known as Mr. DC, teaches physical education at Crestwood Elementary School in St. Louis, Missouri. He has nine years of teaching experience and has been at Crestwood since 2015.

Cockrell serves as a role model for his students and focuses on creating relationships that emphasize the importance of staying active and healthy. He is always willing to lend a helping hand, inspires his fellow teachers, and motivates everyone at Crestwood.

Cockrell received a 2020 National Box Tops for Education Twilight Award from Chance the Rapper. He also created the “Crest-Fit” training program, reaching thousands of people over multiple platforms. In his free time, DC enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and supporting his students as they thrive in their activities.