About Dr. Esselman

Dr. Esselman has taught at AHS for twenty-three years. He currently holds a BA in Philosophy/Religion, MA in History, and a MEd in Education Administration (Secondary). He also successfully defended his dissertation on authentic local history for his EdD Program in Heritage Leadership for Sustainability, Social Justice, and Participatory Culture at the University of Missouri-St. Louis during the summer of 2022. In his time in Affton, Dr. Esselman has taught US History, World History, ACC/AP US History, AP Seminar, AP Research, and Sociology. Currently, he serves as Department Leader for Social Studies and co-sponsors Affton’s local chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). He is the recipient of the SOAR Award in 2004, and the AHS Teacher of the Year (TOY) Awards in 2007-2008 and 2016-2017. In December 2019, Dr. Esselman became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). In 2025, Dr. Esselman was recognized as the Missouri History Teacher of the Year (HTOY) by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History based in New York City, New York. He was also under consideration for the national award during the summer of 2025. Away from school, he enjoys researching and exploring the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright when he has the opportunity to travel with his wife.