After graduating from Northwest Missouri State
University, Dimitric Edwards welcomes the opportunity to return the halls of
Lincoln College Preparatory Academy. The
school is not only his alma mater, but it is the place where he was inspired to
become a teacher by one he looked up to as a student, Mr. Kevin Conway. Becoming an educator is just one way he looks
to pay it forward after many teachers, advisors and professors have paved the
way for him.
Dimitric is not the first in his family to leave
Kansas City for Maryville, Missouri as his older sister began attending the
university before him. Visiting her
helped his familiarity with campus, but it was the relationships he was most
concerned about. “I didn’t want to be in
my sister’s shadow, so my biggest worry had to do with making new friends,” he
said.
Kansas City for Maryville, Missouri as his older sister began attending the
university before him. Visiting her
helped his familiarity with campus, but it was the relationships he was most
concerned about. “I didn’t want to be in
my sister’s shadow, so my biggest worry had to do with making new friends,” he
said.
As it turns out, getting involved and meeting new
people was not an issue for the English Education major, entering his junior
year at the university.
people was not an issue for the English Education major, entering his junior
year at the university.
Dimitric has been involved with yearbook for the
past two years. He also serves as the
president of the Student Missouri State Teachers Association and the Minority
Men’s Club. His advice to rising college
students is simple: “You’ll get out as much as you put in. You’re not
experiencing college if you just go to class and go to your room,” he said.
past two years. He also serves as the
president of the Student Missouri State Teachers Association and the Minority
Men’s Club. His advice to rising college
students is simple: “You’ll get out as much as you put in. You’re not
experiencing college if you just go to class and go to your room,” he said.
The advice of being active and engaged is another
lesson he deems important for current 20/20 Leadership participants. Dimitric joined the program after being
recommended by a teacher and says that participating in the program was the
best thing he did as a high school student.
His increased engagement played a role in him being named a KC Royals
Scholar in 2014, along with an opportunity to be introduced on the field at a
Royals game.
lesson he deems important for current 20/20 Leadership participants. Dimitric joined the program after being
recommended by a teacher and says that participating in the program was the
best thing he did as a high school student.
His increased engagement played a role in him being named a KC Royals
Scholar in 2014, along with an opportunity to be introduced on the field at a
Royals game.
It seems that no matter where Dimitric lands,
educating others is in his blood, both formally and informally. While his initial goal is to work within a
classroom, he welcomes the idea of teaching on the college level with the goal
of inspiring future teachers. “Return
the favor and be a role model” are words that were imparted on him and
represent thoughts that have not left his mind since.
educating others is in his blood, both formally and informally. While his initial goal is to work within a
classroom, he welcomes the idea of teaching on the college level with the goal
of inspiring future teachers. “Return
the favor and be a role model” are words that were imparted on him and
represent thoughts that have not left his mind since.
