elementary school. >> how did you get to crestwood?r: that laugh makes the fun infectious in his classes. >> whenever you're sad, he cheers you up. >> reporter: how can a teacher tell when students are sad? >> i have no idea. it's a magical power. >> he teaches us how to stay healthy and have fun at the same time. >> reporter: something cockrell shares online, in workout videos with his 3-year-old son, dawson. how he is competing to be national teacher of the year. he's only been an educator for under a decade, but in reality, mr. d.c. brings a lifetime of experience. >> i've seen so many bad things and i'm just so happy that i'm alive, that i have a job that i love. so if people are tired of me laughing, being positive and giggling all the time, they're just going to have to get used to it. >> reporter: for "cbs this morning," i'm errol barnett. >> can we vote for teacher of the year, mr. d.c.? can we vote, does that count? oh, my gosh, his story. >> i love what the girl said, how does the teacher know when a kid is sad. she said i ha