On September 21, 2019, Preston Hickert, a sixth-grade teacher and cross country coach at Heritage Middle School (HMS) in the Liberty School District, was honored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and Sporting KC as a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPreston Hickert\u2019s heart for the kids at Heritage Middle School is evident through his actions inside the classroom and out,\u201d said Christina Lively, Department Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Blue KC. \u201cThrough his influence and example, kids are not only being shown that they are valuable, but also learning how to be kind to others and care about their community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In just his third year of teaching, Hickert has made a positive impact on nearly every student at HMS through his roles as a teacher, student council advisor and cross country coach. He works to make his classroom welcoming, friendly and fun and also invests time outside the classroom playing basketball with kids after school, cheering them on at sporting events and attending band concerts and other events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about relationships,\u201d said Hickert, who is originally from Independence, Mo. \u201cWhen kids know you care, they will be more willing to do more for you. I love seeing my kids every day and then seeing them grow throughout their time in our building.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passionate about both personalized learning and project-based learning, Hickert volunteered to serve as the lead teacher for a new pilot program at HMS called \u201cHMS by Design.\u201d Through the program, Hickert leads the way as he and his team encourage and equip the community of learners to design their own future by exploring authentic real-world experiences. The goal is to empower students to make a contribution in the local and global community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Already recognized by faculty, staff and parents for his ability to get the most out of students, Hickert was also recognized publically by the Missouri Association of Student Councils as the Missouri Middle School Advisor of the Year for his impact on young student-leaders at the school, district, state and national levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a self-described \u201ckindness advocate,\u201d Hickert works daily to model the characteristic for kids and peers. His aim is to show the students that it is \u201cworth it to be kind, offer grace and still be relentlessly passionate about what you are pursuing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy advice to them is to be kind, make good choices and take advantage of every opportunity you have to get involved in your school community, \u201d said Hickert.<\/p>\n\n\n
Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Program<\/p> <\/div>\n