Every student deserves a chance to be successful. However, sometimes there are issues that preclude them from doing it in the traditional way. A circuit court judge in St. Louis is working to bridge the gap between desire and action.

In a lecture at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, Judge Jimmie Edwards will talk about the Innovative Concept Academy he founded in 2009. Edwards opened the academy to help change the lives of teens facing turbulent times. These at-risk students would find themselves going from courtrooms to jail cells, but Edwards wants to help these youth reach their potential.

From 2009 to 2011, more than 700 at-risk youth enrolled at the Innovative Concept Academy.

“Judge Edwards has a wealth of knowledge and an unquenchable passion for helping people,” said Stephanie Hopkins, director of the student success center and chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee at Southern.

“He [Judge Edwards] is very concerned with how a person’s home life and/or background affects who they are and how they learn,” Hopkins added. “Currently, students at the Innovative Concept Academy are taught traditional school subjects, plus they are taught life skills.”

In 2012, during an interview with CBS News, Edwards opened up about his approach.

“The toughest part of my day is children come into my courtroom and they need help. Without someone getting involved in their lives, they have no opportunity to succeed,” he said.

“Let’s not lock them all up … let’s teach them. What is so great about teaching them is they want to learn,” Edwards added. “Too many times the information we receive about juveniles is negative — it does not celebrate their successes.”

Edwards has won several awards, including the 2011 National Hero of the Year award from People Magazine.

“I think Judge Edwards can provide information on how to motivate students, how students learn differently and how to teach those students, and how students’ backgrounds influence who they are,” said Dr. Beverly Block, professor at the Plaster School of Business.