{"id":12303,"date":"2022-03-26T16:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-26T21:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=12303"},"modified":"2025-12-18T16:57:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:57:00","slug":"2022-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-dorothy-drake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2022-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-dorothy-drake\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Honoree Dorothy Drake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dorothy Drake has a true passion for teaching and educating the next generation of students. In fact, she has educated several generations during her four-decade teaching career. That\u2019s right, Drake is about to complete her 40th year of education after she began her career as a kindergarten teacher in 1982. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, she has migrated throughout Missouri. She started in Laddonia, moved to Pleasant Hope, returned to her hometown of Warrensburg \u2013 where she completed her Master\u2019s degree in Learning Disabilities \u2013 all before arriving in Lee\u2019s Summit, where she helped open Richardson Elementary and was a Reading Specialist for K-6 grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2010, Drake retired. But that wouldn\u2019t be the end of her teaching career. She accepted a Building Substitute position during the COVID-19 pandemic at Trailridge Elementary School and has flourished in the role of teaching a variety of subjects to K-6 grade students. That includes music, art, physical education, special education, recess and cafeteria monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I don\u2019t have a classroom assignment, I am fortunate to work one-on-one with students who benefit from additional reading support,\u201d said Drake. \u201cThese days are extremely rewarding and fill my heart with happiness and pride. Teaching my own kindergarten class in the summer, like I did at the beginning of my teaching career, is icing on the cake!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drake takes pride in building strong, lasting relationships with her students. Having the opportunity to help educate the children of her former students is special to her because it reiterates the importance of a strong education and the tight-knit bond that those in her local community share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"With<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One comment that has left a lasting impact on her occurred when she was a Reading Specialist. A former Assistant Principal once told her, \u201cDorothy, I have never seen a teacher with your passion for working with struggling readers daily.\u201d She says that comment left a huge mark on her heart and helps remind her to strive to always continue to work with that passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of my proudest moments in education is being needed<\/em> as a teacher, valued<\/em> as an educator and knowing in my heart that the kids needed me as their teacher,\u201d said Drake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she was younger, Drake was told by her mother, \u201cif you can read, you can go anywhere you want to go.\u201d In an effort to honor her mother, Drake passes that advice on to her students through her daily initiatives and lesson plans. Her motto is: \u201cThe more you read, the better you get!\u201d. Her optimism, cheerfulness, determination and advice are on display each and every day at Trailridge Elementary School, as it has always been at the numerous other schools where she has taught at over the past 40 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think it is important to instill standards with my students because we are a team,\u201d said Drake. \u201cWe help each other when needed, and we continue to achieve success together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drake follows her father\u2019s passion for education \u2013 he was a Professor of Economics at Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri) \u2013 and lets her students know that hard work will be rewarded, even though it may not happen immediately. She wants them to always believe in themselves, as she does for them, as they are preparing for a bright and successful future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drake\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDorothy dedicated the last 40 years of her life to education and enriching the lives of every student she encounters,\u201d said Dawson Sivils, Dorothy\u2019s nominator. \u201cWhen she heard the offer of returning full-time based on need, she didn\u2019t think twice and agreed, almost immediately, to return to the classroom to help provide extra assistance to students who may have fallen behind during the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs indicated by Dorothy\u2019s nominator, her passion and dedication for teaching is unmatched and she\u2019s a true inspiration within our community,\u201d said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cDorothy had already completed a world-class career, but when she saw the need for additional support that was caused by the pandemic, she sprang into action and continued her mission of educating our youth. We\u2019re proud to highlight her 40 years of teaching and know the Kansas City community supports her commitment to our schools.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I complete my 40th year in education, I have hope and excitement for the future as I look at the youngest learners in our school district,\u201d said Drake.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

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