April L. Oldham, MEd, NBCT was inspired to spearhead a career in special education by her brother, who was born with multiple physical disabilities and only lived for four days. She pursued a formal education at Ball State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in special education and psychology, with a minor in educational psychology, in 1979. She later graduated from Butler University with a Master of Science in education, psychometrics and special education in 1982. Setting the tone for her career, Ms. Oldham remembers writing her parents a letter that said she needed to be the kind of teacher that she wanted her brother to have, someone who would treat him with respect and dignity.

As she embarked on her professional endeavors, Ms. Oldham served as a teacher of special education and learning disabilities at Harcourt Elementary from 1985 to 1992. Since 1993, she has served in the same capacity at Allisonville Elementary School in Indianapolis, Indiana, working with students who have a variety of disabilities including those that are on the autism spectrum. In addition, Ms. Oldham is skilled in nonprofit work, mentoring, coaching, staff development, educational leadership and strategic planning. Outside of her primary work, she is a member of The National Drifters Inc., an organization of women across the nation that conducts volunteer work to better their community.

Upon reflection, Ms. Oldham considers becoming a National Board Certified Teacher in 2021 and receiving congressional recognition as a career highlight. She is also proud of finding creative ways to make her students more successful in the classroom. For her dedication and excellence, Ms. Oldham was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Washington Township District in 2017 and won the Golden Apple Award from Indianapolis Power and Light in 2009. Ms. Oldham attributed her success to having good role models, which includes her mother, who was also a teacher. She looks forward to working at the pre-service level and taking some time to travel.