Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District is excited to announce that Dr. Rhett Oldham, Ste. Genevieve Middle School Social Studies teacher, has been awarded the Mentor Legacy Award from the Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s Centennial Annual Gala. This award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on others through mentorship and guidance. Our district is incredibly proud that Dr. Oldham has been recognized for his service to our students.
Dr. Oldham currently teaches World History and American History at SGMS, and this is his 28th year in public education. Earlier this year, Dr. Oldham was selected as the new Director of Social Studies Curriculum at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This new position oversees improving curriculum, instruction, and student performance in the Social Studies PK-12 content area, as well as provides technical assistance to Missouri school districts and regional staff in developing and implementing more effective Social Studies instruction.
Being selected for the Mentor Legacy Award his last semester at Ste. Genevieve County R-II underscores and highlights the profound impact Dr. Oldham has had on his students and the broader community, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence in education through real-world experiences. Dr. Oldham's dedication to cultivating well-rounded individuals is evident in his innovative approach to education, which goes beyond traditional classroom boundaries. By integrating local history with international perspectives, he equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Examples include visiting the Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church to study Gothic Revival architecture as part of a Reformation unit, and holding virtual meet and greets with students in other countries, as well as foreign diplomats through the Adopt an Embassy.
Dr. Oldham strives to instill a sense of curiosity, empathy, and global citizenship in his students, spanning from the smallest to the largest geographical scale — from cultivating pride and belonging in students for their historic town here in Missouri, to fostering global connections that encourage an appreciation of other cultures and ways of life. His commitment to providing diverse learning opportunities reflects his belief in the transformative power of connection to shape future leaders and bridge cultural divides.
Dr. Oldham has credited Ste. Genevieve County R-II for continually supporting him in growing as an educator over the years. During his time with SG R-II, Dr. Oldham has achieved several accomplishments, including: 2020 Missouri History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Missouri Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2019, a Fulbright-Teacher for Global Classroom Fellow (Morocco), a QFI-GEEO Award Recipient (Jordan), and a University of Illinois-Transatlantic Educator Dialogue Program Fellow. Dr. Oldham uses technology extensively in his classroom and is an EdPuzzle Certified Coach, an eMints Certified Educator, and is a White House Historical Association Fellow.
In addition, this past school year, Dr. Oldham reached out to the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum to launch a collaboration with the district, which culminated in the district being recognized as a POW-MIA campus. The District is appreciative to Dr. Oldham for his initiative to undertake this project and is extremely excited to be collaborating with the Jefferson Barracks POW/MIA Museum to raise awareness of the POW/MIAs who have proudly served and fought for our freedoms.
Dr. Oldham earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, his master’s degree in Secondary Administration from Southwest Baptist University and his doctorate in Education from Missouri Baptist University.
To see more about his classroom activities and real-world experiences, check out his webpage here: https://sghistoryteach.weebly.com/.