Michael Pingel, Recipient of the Outstanding Beginning Teacher (OBT) Award

Michael graduated from Jefferson College with his Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree in spring 2021 before earning his bachelor’s degree at Missouri Baptist University. He is currently in his second year of teaching and coaching baseball at Kirkwood High.

The OBT is sponsored by members of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE), which consists of teacher education programs in colleges and universities across the state. Every other spring semester, MACTE member institutions may honor one or two first or second year teachers as OBT recipients. In 2025, institutions named 63 OBTs across the state.

Dr. Boning selected Michael for the award because he was an outstanding student as well as a leader on campus in many ways while he completed his AAT degree. Many people across campus could see the potential Michael had as both a teacher and leader during his time at Jefferson College.

Dr. Seth Harrell, Principal of Kirkwood High School, had the following to say about Michael: “We are thrilled to have Mr. Pingel at Kirkwood High School. He has been a natural fit from day one. His approach each and every day is positive and engaging. Michael is always out in the hall greeting his students with a smile on his face. His ability to connect with students and collaborate with staff has been instrumental to his early success as a teacher. Michael has done a great job of establishing a safe and positive learning environment for his students by providing quality instruction and being cognizant of the needs of his students. He has been a great addition to our math department, and he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Michael Pingel, a math teacher at Kirkwood High School, recently received the Outstanding Beginning Teacher (OBT) Award presented by Dr. Ken Boning, Jefferson College Teacher Education Program Coordinator.

Michael graduated from Jefferson College with his Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree in spring 2021 before earning his bachelor’s degree at Missouri Baptist University. He is currently in his second year of teaching and coaching baseball at Kirkwood High.

The OBT is sponsored by members of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE), which consists of teacher education programs in colleges and universities across the state. Every other spring semester, MACTE member institutions may honor one or two first or second year teachers as OBT recipients. In 2025, institutions named 63 OBTs across the state.

Dr. Boning selected Michael for the award because he was an outstanding student as well as a leader on campus in many ways while he completed his AAT degree. Many people across campus could see the potential Michael had as both a teacher and leader during his time at Jefferson College.

Dr. Seth Harrell, Principal of Kirkwood High School, had the following to say about Michael: “We are thrilled to have Mr. Pingel at Kirkwood High School. He has been a natural fit from day one. His approach each and every day is positive and engaging. Michael is always out in the hall greeting his students with a smile on his face. His ability to connect with students and collaborate with staff has been instrumental to his early success as a teacher. Michael has done a great job of establishing a safe and positive learning environment for his students by providing quality instruction and being cognizant of the needs of his students. He has been a great addition to our math department, and he has a bright future ahead of him.”