A Message from New Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger

Greetings from your new Commissioner of Education! I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this role and support the important work taking place across our state to provide Missourians access to opportunities of all kinds.

 

Someone in the elevator at the office recently said to me, "You must new," and I loved it — I haven't been new at anything for a long time! I have worn many different hats in the education world, but this is the first time as Commissioner. I know school, I know Missouri, and I know the basics of the Department's work. I look forward to developing a more thorough, comprehensive understanding of the processes and systems used at DESE. I also look forward to connecting with more of our agency's stakeholders and hearing their feedback about the various initiatives and programs taking place to support schools, educators, and students. Good decisions are made with good information, so thank you in advance for supporting my learning.

 

I want to do good work and create opportunities for all to be successful. Put most simply: I value teamwork. Great teams are built upon open and honest dialogue and hard work — and I expect us all to do our share and beyond. Children across the state depend on us, and because of that, I take my work very seriously and know you do too.

 

I look forward to working together to improve lives through education in Missouri.

 

Sincerely,

Karla Eslinger

Commissioner of Education