Christopher Maples, a recent Missouri State University graduate was 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 this year celebrates 15 student teachers across the state with the Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow awards.

All Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow inductees will receive the benefits of one-on-one mentorship from Missouri Milken educators. These educators 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 access 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.

More about Maples and the award

Maples graduated from Missouri State in December 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He was hired by the Hollister School District to teach fourth grade at Hollister Elementary School, where he completed his student teaching.

“My first year of teaching has been a humbling experience. Being able to not only see my students grow but myself grow along with them is something that will stick with me throughout my career in education,” he said.

According to Missouri Milken Educators, Maples exemplifies what it means to be a future leader in education. As a non-traditional student, his path to teaching was not a straight line, but it led him clearly and confidently to the classroom. From the moment he entered the College of Education (COE) at Missouri State, it was evident teaching was not simply a career choice for him but a calling.

He consistently stood out as a natural leader in his classes, with peers gravitating toward him for guidance, support and partnership. His maturity, humility and steady presence set him apart and reflected a deep commitment to students and the profession. Maples’s leadership extended beyond the classroom through involvement in student organizations and professional learning experiences. He helped establish Rural Scholars in the COE, drafting its constitution, recruiting members and serving as its first president. He was also actively involved in Bears Teach Elementary and the Society for Science Educators, regularly supporting recruitment events and professional activities.

In addition, he helped organize the first pre-service teacher conference, an event that empowered students to select experienced educators to address topics they were most interested in learning about. Through these experiences, Maples demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, collaboration and continuous growth as an educator. Looking ahead, he plans to pursue educational administration.

Dr. Rhonda Bishop, clinical assistant professor of elementary education at Missouri State, said “Chris is humble, capable and thoughtful in his approach, with a clear vision for his future in education and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on students, schools and communities.”

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 2025-26 school year. New teachers will be named every year to celebrate the future of the education profession.

“I’m truly grateful for the Missouri Milken Educators’ ongoing commitment to nurturing and guiding exceptional early-career teachers,” said COE Dean Dr. Barri Tinkler. “Chris is well deserving of this recognition, and I have no doubt he’ll continue to make a significant and enduring difference in the lives of his students for many years to come.”

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