College of Education News

COE alumna named 2025 Bear of Distinction

by

Both a Missouri State University College of Education alumna and the current Missouri commissioner of education, Dr. Karla Eslinger has dedicated more than 30 years to educational success.  

For her accomplishments and contributions, the Missouri State University Alumni Association honored her with the 2025 Bears of Distinction Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Affairs. She joined other award recipients at the April 26 Bears of Distinction Dinner and Awards Banquet. 

Commitment to education and Missouri  

Although her recognition extends beyond the state, Eslinger has devoted her educational and political career to Missouri. She gained her bachelor’s degree from College of the Ozarks in elementary education.  

Before receiving her master’s degree, she served as an elementary school teacher for 10 years. She considers her time as a teacher to be a unique one. 

“I’ve been blessed to have so many great opportunities throughout my career,” she said. “But that first day I walked in and had 30-some first and second graders in my own classroom, and thought ‘Now I’m going to teach,’ was a pretty special moment.” 

She gained her master’s degree in educational administration (1992) and a specialist in education, educational administration-superintendent (1999) from Missouri State. She then gained her doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from University of Missouri-Columbia (2010).  

She has worked as a principal and superintendent in Ava and West Plains.  

Since her time as a student and educator, Eslinger has held a variety of positions. One of her roles included providing technical assistance to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. She worked with school districts in Boston, Houston and Los Angeles.  

Eslinger was also an elected official twice. From 2019-21, she represented District 155 in the Missouri House of Representatives. She also represented District 33 in the Missouri Senate from 2021-24. 

She was eligible for a second term in the Senate but turned it down to become the Missouri commissioner of education for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She felt she could make a greater difference in this position. 

“There comes a point in your life where you say, ‘Where can I truly have the biggest impact? Where can I really do the most good for the profession I love, for the state I love?’ And it looked to me like there was an opportunity here.” 

Earlier this year, Eslinger was named one of the USA Today 2025 Women of the Year alongside 60 others across the country inspiring the next generation.   

She and her husband David have lived on their family farm in Wasola for many years and have run a small business for over 35 years. 

Learn more about the educational administration graduate program

Dr. Usamah Muhammad-Rodgers: A Trailblazer in Educational Leadership

by

Dr. Usamah Muhammad-Rodgers is a distinguished educational leader whose career has been marked by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Hailing from Kansas City, she started her academic journey at Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1993. As a student, she was actively involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha, served as the Woods House dorm president, and was a recipient of the Minority Leadership Scholarship. These early experiences shaped her dedication to educational opportunity and leadership.

Teaching and Administrative Career

Her professional career began in elementary education, where she quickly demonstrated her aptitude for leadership. She fondly recalls her time as a second-grade teacher, where she discovered the joy of shaping young minds and fostering a love of learning in her students. Those years in the classroom remain some of her most cherished memories, as they reinforced her passion for making a tangible difference in students’ lives. Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers continued her education, earning a Master’s in Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. Her trajectory in administration saw her excel at multiple levels, from elementary to high school, and across different educational settings, including public, charter, and private institutions.

During her tenure at the Dallas Independent School District, Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers played a pivotal role in transforming struggling schools. She served as the founding principal for Cedar Hill Collegiate High School, describing the experience as “lightning in a bottle,” due to the unique environment of a small school within a school.

“We just had a group of rockstar teachers, amazing parents, determined kids,” she recalls, highlighting the teamwork and dedication that fueled the school’s success.

As an executive director overseeing a high school feeder pattern, she led a remarkable turnaround: from six schools designated as “improvement required” to a system with no failing schools and 23 academic distinctions awarded by the Texas Education Agency. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing the Pathways to Technology and Early College High School (P-TECH) program, expanding it to 18 schools. This initiative has enabled thousands of students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree, opening doors to future academic and career opportunities.

In 2022, Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers was appointed as the superintendent of the DeSoto Independent School District, becoming its first female leader. Her arrival marked a turning point for a district that had faced years of financial instability and high leadership turnover. Inheriting a system that had cycled through seven superintendents and eight CFOs in less than a decade, she focused on stabilizing the district, rebuilding public trust, and ensuring financial accountability. Under her guidance, DeSoto ISD has moved beyond survival mode and is now actively engaged in reimagining its future.

Academic, Arts, and Athletics Vision

Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers has championed a holistic “AAA” educational experience that emphasizes academics, arts, and athletics. Recognizing the district’s historical strength in athletics—with multiple state championships in football, basketball, and track—she has worked diligently to elevate its academic reputation as well. She envisions a district that serves as the premier choice for families by fostering innovation in STEM education, operational cybersecurity, and healthcare pathways, ensuring students graduate prepared for success in a competitive job market.

Beyond her administrative roles, she has demonstrated a commitment to the arts, both in education and personally. She has actively promoted fine arts programming within DeSoto ISD, including innovative student showcases such as a glow-in-the-dark museum exhibit. Her passion for the arts extends to her own performances, as demonstrated by her surprise monologue of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” during a district event.

Recognition and Looking Ahead

Her leadership has been widely recognized, earning accolades such as Teacher of the Year in 1998, Principal of the Year in 2009, the Texas Black Legislative Caucus Outstanding Black Texan award in 2023 and the Missouri State University’s Bear of Excellence Award in 2024. She was also named Best K-12 Education Leader in both 2020 and 2022 and has received commendations from organizations like the NAACP and the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers has remained steadfast in her vision. She attributes her perseverance to a strong foundation in education, her faith, and the relationships she has built over her 25-year career in the Dallas metroplex. Looking ahead, Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers is determined to position DeSoto ISD as a leader in educational excellence. She is spearheading a demographic study and facilities assessment to modernize infrastructure and create innovative learning environments. Her ultimate goal is to establish DeSoto ISD as a district of choice, fostering an ecosystem where students thrive academically, artistically, and athletically.

Legacy and Impact

Dr. Usamah Muhammad-Rodgers’ journey from classroom teacher to superintendent is a testament to her visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and deep-rooted commitment to education. As she continues to break barriers and shape the future of DeSoto ISD, her impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come.

She also believes in the philosophy of “bloom where you’re planted,” emphasizing that success comes from working hard where you are, making the most of opportunities, and continuously growing in your career. This mindset, she believes, is key not only to personal and professional success but also to fostering an environment where both students and staff are empowered to reach their fullest potential, no matter their starting point.

Her unwavering dedication to education, leadership, and community empowerment serves as an inspiration to future educators and administrators alike. Addressing future educators at MSU, she offers these words of wisdom:

“We are the profession that makes professionals, so don’t take the nobility of being a teacher for granted. Always show up as your best self and give your students your absolute best, because their future depends on it.”

Dr. Muhammad-Rodgers is not just redefining the role of a superintendent; she is shaping the future of public education.

An effort to make ‘Every Student Known’

by

To say that Missouri State University alumna Dr. Adrienne Battle is an accomplished educator is an understatement. 

She has won many awards, and her leadership of Nashville Public Schools as superintendent has led the district to gain national recognition.  

She notes her journey to success began at Missouri State University as a student-athlete and in its College of Education.  

“It has been more than 20 years since I graduated, but I still carry MSU with me every day,” Battle said. “I still use the lessons from my teacher education program in my role leading a district of more than 11,000 employees and 81,000 students.”   

She graduated from MSU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She earned a professional teaching licensure for grades K-8.  

Experience and success 

A Nashville native, Battle chose MSU for its faculty and reputation, and for the opportunity to compete as a Division I track and field athlete.  

“I knew it was a prestigious university with a track record of preparing leaders in education and other fields and providing state-of-the-art facilities for growth and learning,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without MSU and the care that so many people poured into me there.” 

Battle served as an educator and administrator in Nashville for 16 years before becoming superintendent:  

  • Math teacher/reading and language arts teacher: Dalewood Middle School, 2003-06 
  • Assistant principal: Glencliff High School, 2010-11 
  • Academic principal: Glencliff High School, 2011-12 
  • Executive principal: Antioch High School, 2012-16  
  • Executive lead principal, priority schools and elementary schools, 2017 
  • Community superintendent overseeing schools in the southeast quadrant, 2017-19 

Her success as an educator led her to receive five prestigious awards and acknowledgements in 2025 alone: 

  • Midsouth Emmy Award, Documentary-Cultural, for “Every Student Known: The Creation of an Anthem” 
  • Save the Music Foundation Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education 
  • Women Who Rock Nashville Phenomenal Woman Award 
  • Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence – Top Executive category 
  • Nashville Post Education In Charge list 

Not only has Battle succeeded individually, but her entire school district has, too.  

Metro Nashville Public Schools ranked in the top 10 in both math growth and reading growth from 2022-23 and again from 2023-24. This accomplishment was recognized nationally in the Education Recovery Scorecard by researchers from Harvard University and Stanford University. 

Leadership strategies 

For Battle, leadership is the ability to delegate.  

“Real leadership isn’t about doing everything,” she said. “It’s about empowering others to step up and contribute. When I started delegating with trust, not only did my workload become more manageable, but my team also grew in confidence and skill.” 

Regarding her policies, the school district has implemented a student-oriented slogan: “Every Student Known.”

“Every Student Known” is our mission and mantra,” she said. “We work every day to know not just each student’s name, but also their strengths, talents and aspirations. We want to know what makes them tick so we can set them up for success in college, career and life.” 

As Battle reflects on her journey, she shares three pieces of advice she would give to her past self: 

“Walk into every room as if you belong there – because you do.”  

“No one succeeds alone. The African proverb says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.’”  

“True success is measured not by how high you climb but by how many you bring with you.” 

She expressed her gratitude for students pursuing a career in the education field.  

“Public schools need you, and you can have a tremendous impact on students if you’re passionate, dedicated and innovative,” Battle said. “Thank you for choosing education.” 

Explore elementary education

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hill Hall at Homecoming

by

We invite College of Education faculty, students, alumni and friends to celebrate a 100-year legacy of excellence at Missouri State University’s Homecoming 2024.   

Fun, history and community 

The College of Education will host a special Homecoming event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 19 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre.    

The event features: 

  • Live music starting at 10:30 a.m. 
  • Free food and T-shirts. 
  • Fun photobooth  
  • Hill Hall tours 
  • Commemorative 100th Hill Hall pass 

There will also be performances by the Child Development Center and Bear POWER students. In addition, seventh-grade students from Greenwood Laboratory School will present a documentary on the history of Greenwood in Hill Hall.   

Visit the Hill Hall 100th anniversary website 

Dedicated educator honored for shaping young minds

by

For more than a decade, Missouri State University alumna Shannon Truitt has been positively impacting the lives of children — both as an elementary teacher and a school librarian. 

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) chose her as one of 34 Regional Teachers of the Year and one of 16 semifinalists for the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. 

“Teaching is hard work, but it’s also the best work,” Truitt said. “When I was nominated for this award, it made me feel appreciated, valued and important for the lives of my students.” 

Truitt currently works as a K-5 librarian at Spokane Elementary School in Highlandville. 

The superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and the principal of Spokane Elementary nominated Truitt for the Regional Teacher of the Year award. 

Balancing family and education 

Before beginning her teaching journey, Truitt was a student at Missouri State. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2008, then began her career at Forsyth Elementary School teaching kindergarten. 

In 2013, Truitt began the master’s program in literacy at Missouri State, while married with kids. At the same time, her husband began a master’s program too.  

It was no easy feat as graduate students with two young children. 

“Most nights we would say, ‘Who gets to do homework and who’s taking the kids?'” Truitt said.

But they made it through.  

Becoming a librarian 

In 2020, Truitt became the librarian at Spokane Elementary. Her motivation for becoming a librarian was simple: she wanted kids to experience the joys of reading. 

“I don’t know if it’s due to COVID-19 or due to generational changes, but students nowadays view reading in a negative way,” Truitt said. “It’s always tied to homework or worksheets. I want them to enjoy just listening to a story or doing an activity that’s not stressful.” 

For Truitt, her teaching philosophy is to be willing to try new things. 

“Philosophy-wise, I go by fictional teachers like Miss Frizzle: ‘Take chances, make mistakes, get messy.’”  

Learn more about the College of Education