Allison Haertling, 2025 SEMO graduate has been recognized among the 2026 Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow by the Missouri Milken Educators in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Missouri Milken Educators created this program in 2022 and are celebrating 15 teachers across the state with the Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow awards this year.
All Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow inductees will receive the benefits of one-on-one
mentorship from Missouri Milken Educators, who were all previously recognized by the Milken Family Foundation with the National Milken Educator Award for their impressive achievements. Honorees will have a year of coaching and mentorship and will be able to access the full network of the Missouri Milken Educators. The network serves as a rich resource for fellow educators dedicated to excellence in education. Haertling and the other honorees were surprised with the news that they were selected for the designation.
Haertling graduated from SEMO in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education. She completed her student teaching in the Perryville School District in fall 2025, where she was quickly recognized for her strong commitment to her students and their success.
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“Ms. Haertling is a fantastic beginning teacher,” said Shelly Oldham, Haertling’s student teaching supervisor at Perryville. “How fortunate her future students and co-workers will be to have her as a part of their team. She loves her students and will give her all to making them successful."
Those named as 2026 Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow were selected for the honor because they stand out as examples of what’s right in the education profession. This year’s honorees graduated with their undergraduate degrees in education and completed student teaching in a Missouri school district during the 2025-2026 school year. New teachers will be named every year to celebrate the future of the education profession.
“The Missouri Milken Educators are thrilled to welcome quality teachers into the profession we love. We expect Allison to have a positive impact on the lives of students for many years to come,” said Dr. Jordan McGaughey, Missouri Milken Educator.
“The SEMO Educator Preparation Program is proud to see Allison Haertling recognized as a Missouri Teacher Leader of Tomorrow,” said Dr. Rodney Pensel, director of Field Experiences in Educator Preparation at SEMO. “Allison demonstrated a strong commitment to her students during her time in the classroom, and this recognition reflects both her dedication to the profession and the meaningful preparation she received through our program. We’re confident she will make a lasting impact as she begins her teaching career.”