College of Education News

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

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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.

COE’s inaugural Scholarship Banquet recognizes students, donors and alumni

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The College of Education (COE) gathered on campus on April 4 to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of the college and its members.  

Its inaugural Scholarship Banquet recognized scholarship winners, donors and faculty support.  

Fifty-three guests attended the banquet. Among them were Missouri State University President Clif Smart and his wife, Gail, Provost Dr. John Jasinski, Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn and Board of Governors student representative Bradley Cooper. 

During the event, COE Dean Dr. Barri Tinkler presented the college’s first Outstanding Alumni award to longtime educator Dr. Michael Fulton.  

Fulton’s impact on education 

Fulton received the award for his impact on schools in Missouri.  

Fulton attended Springfield Public Schools and graduated in 1982 from (then) Southwest Missouri State University with his bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Fulton also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Illinois State University and a doctorate in education from St. Louis University.  

He taught in both the Bloomington Public Schools District (Illinois) and Clayton School District (Missouri). He then served as an administrator in the Pattonville School District (Missouri) for 23 years, working as superintendent for the last 11 years. 

During his tenure, the school system gained recognition at state and national levels for academic achievement. For his leadership, Fulton was named Missouri Superintendent of the Year in 2016. 

In 2018, he took on the superintendent role at the Shawnee Mission School District (Kansas), where he served for three years until his retirement. 

But Fulton never stopped working toward a better future for education. After retiring, he led a statewide effort to create a network supporting Missouri public schools in using a competency-based mindset to personalize learning, ensuring every student is prepared for high school, college, career and the workplace. 

Along with a team of collaborators that included the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Fulton created the statewide Success-Ready Students Network (SSRN).  

The network now comprises 95 school districts and 25 educational agencies and universities. 

Tinkler acknowledged Fulton as a worthy recipient of the college’s first Outstanding Alumni award and the bright future of the SSRN. 

“Dr. Fulton has started a movement in K-12 education in the state. I believe this work will continue to grow and it’ll have a significant impact,” Tinkler said. 

For more information or to support SSRN in its goals, visit its website. 

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Reaching great heights in teaching

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For his leadership, professional contributions and school engagement, Missouri State University alumnus Cameron Branson has received the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau’s 2023 Distinguished Teacher of the Year award. 

The Jefferson City native has taught at St. Agnes Cathedral School in Springfield for 13 years. He is one of three teachers at St. Agnes to have received this prestigious award.  

“To be held in in the same regard as those excellent teachers caught me by surprise. It really means a lot to me,” Branson said. 

Finding his footing at Missouri State 

Branson first attended Missouri State in 2006. He had not decided on a major through his sophomore year. A defining moment for him was an experience through his fraternity organization, Sigma Phi Epsilon. 

“We had some younger guys not making their grades, and I saw most of them were not doing well in math,” Branson said.  

Though he had never previously considered math his calling, Branson started helping these younger students by tutoring them twice a week. He quickly found teaching an enjoyable experience. 

“It just kind of fell into my lap. I didn’t declare a major until literally the cutoff date. It was a divine intervention,” Branson said. 

He declared a middle school education major, with an emphasis on math and science. Later down the road, he returned to MSU in 2016 to complete a master’s degree in educational technology. 

Branson initially struggled in his undergraduate program, but many of his professors “saw the spark” in him and pushed him to achieve success.  

Faculty emeritus Dr. Larry Campbell told him, “You have so much potential, and you’re not reaching the levels I know you can.”  

This interaction impacted Branson. He has used those same words throughout his teaching career to encourage students who were struggling like he once did.  

Branson recalls his professors taking a personal interest in all of their students, even in large lecture classes. He has taken on this approach as a teacher. 

“I think that my professors leading by example helped me build those connections with the kids in my classes,” Branson said. 

At MSU, Branson participated in several student organizations. As part of Sigma Phi Epsilon, he was a member of the Greek Week committee and the Interfraternal Council.  

Branson was also a member of the Beartones, an all-male acapella group. In 2009, they placed third in the world at the International Championship of Collegiate Acapella in New York City. Branson described it as his most rewarding collegiate experience. 

Commitment to teaching 

Branson started teaching at St. Agnes when he was 23 years old. Most of his co–workers had been teaching for over 20 years, so he found himself surrounded by experienced professionals he could look up to. 

One of Branson’s goals is to be a role model for his students. When he was in school, he only had three male teachers before high school.  

“I think there needs to be more male teachers for elementary and middle school students. It’s important for students to see a positive male role model in their lives from preschool to eighth grade,” Branson said. 

He helps keep his students engaged with learning outside of the classroom by sponsoring extracurricular activities. He helped start St. Agnes’ FIRST Lego League Robotics team. Through this activity, students learn principles of engineering and robotics. The team has found great success. 

“Out of the seven or eight years we’ve been doing this, we’ve sent five teams to state,” Branson said. 

He is also the sponsor for the school’s MATHCOUNTS and Math Olympiad teams. Throughout the years, many of the teams have competed in state competitions.  

“We had a team that competed against Central Scholars (for highly gifted students) and finished in second place. To be up there with Central Scholars in anything is such an honor,” Branson said. 

He has also sponsored other clubs that students showed interest in, such as a Dungeons and Dragons club.  

“Anything the kids want to try and do, I’ll try to facilitate it for a couple years to see if it’s something that will stick,” Branson said. 

According to Branson, his favorite part about teaching is spontaneity. 

“In most jobs, you walk in at nine and leave at five. If your day deviates, it’s just by a little bit,” Branson said. “I have a plan every single day when I walk into the class, but who knows how that day is going to go?” 

Branson likes the consistency of knowing each day that he’s going to teach, but not what unexpected events will occur. 

He loves it when the kindergarten students walk by his classroom with bright and shining faces. He also enjoys unexpected visits from former students who are now in high school, who drop by to tell him the impact he had on them. 

“It makes life fresh every single day,” Branson said. 

Sharing some advice 

Branson encourages those interested in an education career to stick with it despite the adversities. 

“Education is in a really weird spot right now,” Branson said. “I’ve only been a teacher 13 years, but I’ve seen such drastic ebbs and flows.”  

He said he’s spoken to educators who have been teaching for more than 40 years, and they believe the biggest changes in education have happened in the past few years. 

“Education needs strong people,” Branson said. “If you know this is for you, please don’t give up after a set of rough days. Teaching is hard, but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” 

“It’s difficult, and it’s getting harder. But the kids need us.” 

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College of Education alumni recognized as outstanding beginning teachers

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Being a beginner at anything can be difficult. For beginners Kaitlin Voss and Marcus Bullard, alumni of Missouri State’s education program, there was no shortage of difficulties as they began their teaching careers.  

Their hard work to overcome the many challenges they face as teachers is not going unnoticed. Bullard and Voss have both been recognized as Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) 2021 Outstanding Beginning Teachers. 

Voss graduated in 2019 with her bachelor’s in education of the deaf and hard of hearing and in 2020 with her master’s in the education of deaf and hard of hearing. She is currently a third-grade teacher at the Kansas School for the Deaf.  

Bullard graduated in 2019 with his bachelor’s in elementary education and in 2020 with his master’s in educational technology. He is currently a second-grade teacher at Westport Elementary.  

Q&A with outstanding beginning teachers 

Both teachers shared details about their careers, offered helpful advice for the classroom and relayed pleasant memories from their time at Missouri State:  

What was the most challenging aspect as you began teaching?  

Voss: Figuring out what works best for each of my students is definitely the biggest challenge. And, of course, COVID has been an added struggle, but if I can get that done in my first year, then I guess the rest will be a breeze. 

Bullard: Navigating through a new school, learning things about curriculum, managing student conflict and helping students have productive conversations with each other were probably my biggest challenges. Coming from MSU, I felt prepared with being creative, and I had strategies that I could use. In your first year of teaching, you learn a whole different set of strategies. Going into a school, you kind of have an idea of how the school works, but you don’t truly know the culture of the school or how the students function day to day.  

How were you able to overcome those challenges as a new teacher?  

Voss: Talking with other teachers. Thankfully, I have such a great support system – teachers, my principal – they’re all amazing. Also, I ask my kids. I honestly rely on them because they know themselves. Having them as an active participant in trying to figure everything out definitely helps.   

Bullard: Last year I was in a team of four teachers teaching in the second grade. Having them as a support system was a huge deal for me. I learned  that it’s okay to lean on other people. You’re not in this teaching world alone. So, seeing all these positive role models influenced my own teaching. 

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher?  

Voss: Just seeing their faces – like when we came back from spring break – and seeing those lightbulb moments and the little connections that they make is so rewarding. It makes the challenges all worth it.   

Bullard: The most rewarding thing is being able to be a positive role model for my kids.  

Elementary Program Coordinator, Dr. Stefanie Livers and Dr. Minor Baker make a congratulatory visit to Mr. Marcus Bullard in his classroom at Westport K-8 school

What is one thing that you learned while at MSU that has paid off to know as you began your career in education?  

Voss: MSU did a great job of readying me for this diverse group of students with skills like utilizing your visuals, acting things out and making it as engaging as possible. Also, we have a preschool at Missouri State in Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall. That was probably my favorite experience, just to be able to have that connection right there: you sit in class, you learn and then you walk downstairs, and you get to apply it to real life. 

Bullard: My focus was educational technology for my graduate degree, so having a background in how to facilitate learning online was definitely a big help. With COVID, it was scary because we didn’t know when we were going to see our kids again or how we were going to be effective teachers. If I didn’t have those classes, I wouldn’t have been able to be successful with virtual learning. 

What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Missouri State?  

Voss: Being able to see the deaf community in action was probably the coolest experience – just going to the mall for a chat or to a coffee shop to hang out. We also had a big picnic together with people who are deaf and hard of hearing in Springfield and surrounding areas – one in the fall and one in the spring. So, yeah, MSU was the greatest experience I could have ever asked for in a college, and not just in my program, but in the Springfield community.  

Bullard: One of my favorite memories was the first night – meeting people that I know will probably be in the rest of my life. I lived in a Living Learning Community (LLC) and there was a night at the rec center where LLC students could mix and mingle. Without MSU, I wouldn’t have the little close-knit group of friends that I have. I’m in Springfield and they’re in St. Louis and we still talk every day.   

COE department head receives statewide award

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Dr. Denise Cunningham, childhood education and family studies department head, and all her hard work has not gone unnoticed. Missouri Educators of Family and Consumer Sciences and Human Services (MoEFACS) recently selected Cunningham as the recipient of the 2020 Champion Business Leader award.  

The news came to Cunningham in a letter from Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). 

“When I first saw the letter, I thought another faculty member, Debra Price, had won an award for post-secondary teaching,” Cunningham said. “I had no idea the award was for me. I didn’t think I had done anything worthy of being recognized.” 

MoEFACS felt differently, as do her colleagues.  

“A leader is a person who empowers and uses the strengths of others in order to yield positive results. Dr. Cunningham is that type of leader,” Dr. Stefanie Livers said. Livers is an assistant professor in Cunningham’s department. “She effectively supports faculty in their individual teaching and research, orchestrating a synergistic body that provides students with quality programs.” 

Creating a legacy  

Cunningham began at Missouri State in 2005 as an assistant professor in early childhood education. She has since “demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving career and technical education.” 

“I have been intentional about working with family and consumer science teachers to develop dual credit opportunities in child development, human development and family studies, as well as education-specific courses, such as Introduction to Elementary Education,” Cunningham said.  

She has also invited FACS and Career Pathways teachers and interested students to campus to learn about related MSU programs.  

In addition to creating opportunities, Cunningham led the development of two master’s degree programs: Master of Science in Child Life Studies and Master of Science in Early Childhood Special Education. Cunningham also expanded the College of Education’s Internship Academy to include opportunities for early childhood education candidates.  

“I have also been involved in Bear Partnership, a summer, week-long immersion experience for high school students interested in the field of education,” Cunningham said.  

MSU memories 

One of Cunningham’s favorite memories in her 15 years at the university is when she implemented the Abundant Books for Children project across schools in Stone County.  

The project culminated from her own research, and she put it to use in an early childhood methods course as a service-learning assignment. She and her undergraduate students went to five school districts to provide workshops for families with preschool students. The workshops taught families how to use an interactive, shared book experience with their young children.  

“The work with the families was so enjoyable, but I was thrilled at what students learned from the experience,” Cunningham said. “It was so cool to have my research, teaching and service so connected.” 

Cunningham said she looks forward to the rest of her time at Missouri State. She will be recognized for her work July 22, at a MoEFACS luncheon and awards ceremony. Additionally, MoEFACS will forward an application for Cunningham to the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (NATFACS), to compete for the Champion for Family and Consumer Sciences award.