Growing up, Charlotte A. Youngberg loved school. It was a place of knowledge and growth, and she knew she wanted to be part of that community for as long as she was able. Dr. Youngberg set her sights on helping children, particularly those with special needs, gain from reading and writing, and over the next four decades, she consistently stepped up to the challenge. She started as an elementary teacher at Des Moines Individual School District and Glenview Public Schools, and advanced to positions like elementary teacher and psychological educational diagnostician at Schaumburg District Schools, supervisor of learning disabilities and behavior disorders at Springfield Public Schools, psycho-educational diagnostician at Barrington School District 220, educational strategist at Area Education Agency 7, and teacher and director of special education at Verona Public Schools. Although Dr. Youngberg found the niche very rewarding, she retired in 2004.
One of the highlights of Dr. Youngberg’s illustrious career was helping a student that others had given up on realizing that he had dyslexia. The diagnosis opened a lot of doors for him, and he eventually worked his way to head of the town’s water system. Dr. Youngberg is also proud of her longevity in the field; she ended up with 33 years in special education, plus 11 in teaching 3rd and 4th grade. Her efforts led her to be featured in various editions of Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who in the World.
Dr. Youngberg’s own academic endeavors include coursework at Oxford University in England and at Missouri State University, a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Northern Iowa University in 1958, and a Master of Education from DePaul University in 1966. Dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, however, she couldn’t stay away from the classroom for long. Dr. Youngberg ended up earning a Doctor of Divinity in Christian Counseling from the Christian Bible College and Seminary, a Doctor of Theology from the Christian Bible College and Seminary, and a PhD in theology and Christian counseling from the Christian Bible College and Seminary, as well as certifications as a K-14 teacher and supervisor in guidance, counseling, elementary supervising, and special education.
Since her retirement, Dr. Youngberg and her husband have been maintaining several private businesses, including Youngberg Ranch, Youngberg Chapel, Youngberg Water Company, and Youngberg Cemetery. Both of them still go to the office every day. When Dr. Youngberg has spare time, she enjoys playing the organ, reading, quilting, sewing, and traveling. She and her husband have been to Mexico, Haiti, Africa, England, Israel, Italy, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and every U.S. state. Dr. Youngberg also likes to write. Notably, she authored “Oscar, The Perky Gray Mouse” in 2005.
