College of Education News

COE alumna named 2025 Bear of Distinction

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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. 

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School principal fosters success through community

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The Springfield region of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) recently selected Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Principal Angie Carder of Wanda Gray Elementary as Distinguished Principal. 

A Missouri State University alumna, Carder is one of 11 principals nominated for this award in the state of Missouri. MAESP chose Carder for her collaboration with colleagues, mentorship and hands-on approach to administration. 

“It was really nice to be honored by my colleagues and highlighted as a leader,” she said. 

The path to Wanda Gray 

Carder completed her undergraduate studies at Evangel University in 1993. She began her teaching career as a fifth-grade teacher at Doling Elementary in the same year (closed in the early 2000s).  

When Carder was a new teacher, a principal encouraged her to pursue a career in administration.  

“I had a principal who said I was a natural influencer and a positive change in mindset in our school,” she said. “I loved the classroom, but I realized administration might be an opportunity I could explore down the road.” 

In 2004, she became a third grade teacher at McBride Elementary School. That same year, she gained her master’s degree in educational administration from MSU.  In 2004, she earned her specialist degree in educational administration from MSU. She then became an assistant principal at Wanda Gray and Disney Elementary School in 2006. 

“I enjoyed my graduate work at MSU and felt like the programs prepared me well as an elementary administrator,” she said. “We learned about many real-life scenarios that a principal might encounter and talked through ideas.” 

Three years later, she became principal at Wanda Gray. 

“It was a natural, smooth transition to principal,” Carder said. “We have a very strong culture and climate in our building. We also have a very supportive community.”  

Carder has continued to support Missouri State as principal. She has been a key leader in building a strong partnership between Wanda Gray and Missouri State University’s Internship Academy (IA), a yearlong, immersive co-teaching program that prepares future educators through hands-on experience.  

Thanks to her support, IA interns at Wanda Gray are fully integrated into the school community through daily planning, instruction and collaboration. Her dedication to creating a welcoming and supportive environment ensures that both interns and students benefit from the program. 

A hands-on approach 

SPS announced the award, noting Carder’s connection with her team. 

“She seeks opportunities to serve beyond her own school by mentoring others,” SPS Board of Education stated.  “She builds strong, trusting relationships within her school, the district and the community.” 

Carder’s strength as a principal is her hands-on approach to leadership and activity in her school. She is a mentor principal to a new principal every year and she serves on many committees in her school. 

She also participates in a professional learning community that meets weekly to plan, analyze student data and discuss student interventions.  

Carder’s strategy for administration is being active. 

“I try to be very visible in our school, in the classrooms and hallways,” she said. “I like to be accessible to students and teachers. I enjoy giving positive input and effective feedback.” 

She added it is important to work with teachers in a hands-on way and recognize the impact of their work. 

Carder wants to encourage students who are considering an education career. 

“I wish I could somehow spread the word that this is such a positive, important career,” she said. “As an educator, you impact a student’s future, character and self-esteem. It’s been so rewarding to make a difference in people’s lives, and I’m thankful I’ve had the opportunity.” 

On March 3, MAESP will announce the Missouri winner of the national Distinguished Principal Award. Carder is in the running for the award. 

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