Lindbergh High School social studies teacher Charlie Yeldham was recently recognized as one of Missouri’s Outstanding Beginning Teachers by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). He was honored with the award on Feb. 17 at the MACTE spring conference.
The award recognizes teachers in their first two years of service who demonstrate excellence in serving children in school districts across the state. Award recipients were selected based on recommendations from Missouri’s teacher education programs. A recommendation from the honorees’ school district was additionally necessary.
Yeldham, a 2023 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, was nominated for the award by his university supervisor, Jessica Bockskopf.
“Charlie has quickly emerged as an exceptional educator who brings history and social studies to life with remarkable passion and creativity,” Bockskopf stated in a press release. “His innovative teaching approach transforms traditional classroom learning by incorporating contemporary connections that make historical concepts deeply relevant to his students’ lives.”
Yeldham currently teaches world history as well as a project-based learning U.S. history course at Lindbergh High School. When asked what he loves most about teaching, Yeldham said, “I love seeing how my students grow not just in their understanding of history, but in how they use this understanding to see the world differently.”
“Right out of the gates, Mr. Yeldham has shown an uncanny ability at engaging with his students,” Lindbergh High School principal Eric Cochran stated in a press release. “He does this primarily in two ways. First, he is a kind and genuine person who treats all of his students with great respect. Second, he creates lessons that help to bring the material to life and allow the students to see the relevance to their own lives. He is an exciting young teacher.”
The MACTE is a state affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and represents the educator preparation programs across the state.
To view the full list of this year’s MACTE award winners, click here.