Lincoln University Physical Education Graduates Honored for Excellence in Teaching

Lincoln University physical education graduate Ross Barelli (second from right, holding certificate) celebrates winning the 2025 Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award from the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) with his students at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri.

Two recent Lincoln University physical education graduates, Maddison Welker and Ross Barelli, have received the 2025 Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award from the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). Both earned bachelor's degrees in K-12 physical education in December 2023.

Welker teaches physical education and coaches softball and girls’ wrestling in the Hallsville School District. Dr. Chad Kish, associate professor of physical education and wellness and academic advisor, nominated Welker for the award and described her leadership as meeting a “five-star standard in every possible way.”

“Coach Welker’s goal is to become the best physical education teacher she can be,” Kish said. “Her philosophy of teaching physical education is to inspire all students to learn to value and enjoy living a healthy lifestyle and to provide them with a vast array of options to be active and healthy throughout their lifespan.”

LU graduate Maddison Welker (center) celebrates winning the MACTE OBT Award with Dr. Adria Waters (left) and Dr. Chad Kish (right) from Lincoln University.

Welker plans to pursue a graduate degree in physical education or educational leadership.

Kish also recommended Barelli for the award, describing him as meeting “the gold standard as a teacher, coach and person.”

Barelli teaches health education and coaches boys’ basketball at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia Public Schools, where he also completed his student teaching.

“Coach Barelli has a teaching philosophy that promotes active engagement in learning through a student-centered approach to motivate his students to be healthy and active throughout their lifespan,” Kish said. “His dynamic planning provides opportunities for students to explore both traditional and nontraditional activities that incorporate the concept of holistic fitness and wellness—including social, emotional and psychological well-being—in his classroom.”

In addition to the MACTE honor, Barelli was named a 2025 Missouri Teacher Leader of Tomorrow by the Missouri Milken Educators and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The award gives recipients access to a statewide mentorship network and recognizes new educators making a strong impact early in their careers.

“We expect Ross to have a positive impact on students for many years to come,” said Melissa Fike of Columbia Public Schools.

Together, Welker and Barelli exemplify Lincoln University’s commitment to preparing effective, passionate educators. Their early achievements reflect the university’s mission to foster leadership and lifelong learning, and the campus community looks forward to their continued success as they shape the health and wellness of Missouri’s youth.