The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to announce that Dr. Jocelyn Schluss will step into the role of Assistant Commissioner in the Office of Childhood (OOC), effective July 1, 2026.With27years of experience in public education, Dr. Schluss currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Montgomery County R-II. In this role, she is leading strategic planning, accreditation, and data-driven decision-making to improve student outcomes and support continuous improvement across the district.

“Dr. Schluss brings strong experience in early learning and system-level leadership,” said Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger. “Her ability to connect data, instruction, and program development will be an asset to the Office of Childhood and the communities it serves.” 

Throughout her career, Dr. Schluss has maintained a strong focus on the early years of education, beginning with eight years of classroom experience as a teacher. This foundation has shaped her approach to strengthening learning outcomes and expanding support for young learners and families across diverse settings.  

She has led literacy and educator development efforts, including serving as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader and training educators across multiple districts. She has also served as an elementary principal and literacy coach, supporting both students and educators in strengthening early learning outcomes.  

Dr. Schluss holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from William Woods University. 

“Every child deserves a foundation that supports their fullest potential from day one," said Dr. Schluss. "As a parent and educator, I believe in the Office of Childhood’s mission to create a strong childhood system across our state. I am thrilled to join the Office of Childhood to advocate for the high-quality early starts that our children, and our future, depend on.” 

Program administrators will serve as the primary points of contact for DESE-OOC through June 30, 2026: 

• Lisa Ivy, Early Learning Program Administrator, Office of Childhood | Lisa.Ivy@dese.mo.gov 

• Christina Wynn, Child Care Subsidy Program Administrator, Office of Childhood | Christine.Wynn@dese.mo.gov 

• Nancy Scherer, Child Care Licensing Program Administrator, Office of Childhood | Nancy.Scherer@dese.mo.gov 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email at childhood@dese.mo.gov, or by calling 573-522-8762.