Sen. Karla Eslinger chosen to be Missouri’s Commissioner of Education
Members of State Senator Karla Eslinger’s family were on hand to congratulate her following the Tuesday, Dec. 5, announcement of Eslinger’s appointment as Missouri Commissioner of Education. Pictured with Eslinger, center, are her son-in-law, Gainesville R-V School superintendent Justin Gilmore, and her daughter, GHS business teacher Chelsey Gilmore. Eslinger’s youngest daughter Katy Chapman, not pictured, has also made education her career and currently serves as the Ava Elementary School principal.
The Missouri State Board of Education announced Tuesday, Dec. 5, that Senator Karla Eslinger will assume the role as the state’s next commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) effective June 1, 2024, after concluding her work in the Missouri Senate during the 2024 legislative session. Eslinger, a Gainesville High School graduate, and her husband Dave live on their family farm in Wasola, where they’ve owned a small business for more than 35 years.
“I am honored that the state board has entrusted me with this incredible responsibility,” Eslinger said. “My passion for education is a result of my own childhood. My family faced poverty and moved a lot — and the one constant in my life was school. I’m certain my future would look very different if not for my public school education. Children across Missouri depend on our schools in this same way, and I look forward to ensuring every child in our state receives the quality educational opportunities they deserve.”
Eslinger was a classroom teacher, principal, district-level administrator and superintendent in southwest Missouri before serving as Assistant Commissioner in DESE’s Office of Educator Quality. In 2013, she transitioned into serving schools nationwide, representing the U.S. Department of Education and supporting schools participating in the Race to the Top grant program. Eslinger then began her time in the Missouri General Assembly in 2018, first serving as a state representative for District 155 and most recently as State Senator for District 33. Both districts include Ozark County. She completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at College of the Ozarks, earned her master’s and specialist’s degrees at Missouri State University, and completed her doctorate at the University of Missouri.
“The department is working hard to serve schools, students and educators, and collectively, we cannot afford to lose this positive momentum,” said State Board President Charlie Shields. “With her extensive experience and insight into Missouri-specific education issues, Karla is clearly a leader who can hit the ground running and continue to lead the department well.”
Gov. Mike Parson commended Eslinger’s 30 years of experience in education and her understanding of the importance of public education. “She is a tenacious leader who has a vision that will continue to move the needle forward in our Missouri schools,” Parson said. “Karla has an excellent reputation for being able to bring people together to get the job done. We are excited to welcome her as part of the Cabinet and look forward to her spearheading the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.”
Eslinger will replace Margie Vandeven, who announced in October that she would be stepping down on July 1, 2024, after serving more than seven years as Commissioner of Education.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Eslinger for years and am thrilled to hand the reins over to such a thoughtful collaborator and skilled practitioner,” said Vandeven. “Throughout June, Karla and I will work together to ensure a smooth transition, preserving the ongoing excellent work within the department.”
DESE, under Eslinger’s direction, will continue to focus on key strategic priorities, including early childhood education, literacy, safe and healthy schools, workforce development and teacher recruitment and retention.
Eslinger is the seventh individual, and third female, to serve as Missouri’s Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education since the position was created in 1947.