Gena McCluskey is serving the Heart of Missouri schools as the lead Missouri Leadership Development Specialist for the Missouri Leadership Development System. Mrs. McCluskey holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology Education with certification in Chemistry from University of Central Missouri, a master’s degree in School Administration as well as a Specialist Degree in Education from William Woods University.

While teaching secondary Science in four different districts, ranging in size, Gena held various teacher leadership roles such as MSIP District Coordinator, Curriculum Chair, and MAP Lead. She also held the administrative positions of Assistant High School Principal, High School Principal, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, and Superintendent of Schools before retiring from PK12.

As a Missouri Leadership Development Specialist, we provide a true system of support for our education leaders from Aspiring to Transformational. We provide the MLDS content and Coaching Labs in regional cohorts as well as in district lead professional development initiatives. Through our work, we can also provide paid Mentors for our newest administrators. The MLDS content is co-authored with Mike Rutherford who provides all MLDS Specialist with facilitation skills.

Other areas of interest and knowledge base would include Continuous School Improvement development, District Leadership, and Curriculum Development.