Dr. Rodney Pensel began work as the Field Experiences Director for the College of Education, Health, and Human Studies on July 6, 2021. Dr. Pensel has worked in Potosi, Jackson, Sikeston, and Cape Girardeau School Districts. For several years he has worked primarily for the EESE Department with students in the field and supervising student teachers. He holds a B.S. Ed in Education, a M.A. in Secondary Administration, a Specialist in Education from Southeast Missouri State, and an Ed. D. In Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.

He previously served as a speech/drama teacher, assistant principal at the middle and high school level and spent 23 years as a middle school principal.

He currently serves as pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ, Treasurer of Excelsior Lodge #441, Chapter Advisor for Excelsior Chapter, Order of DeMolay, and as an active member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay.

He is married to Pam and has two adult daughters and one grandson. He likes to fish (trout) and work on the family land.

Related Articles

• The Use of Microsoft Teams and Forms to Assist with Student Teaching – Spring 2025, Missouri Association of College of Teacher Education
• Implementation of the Substitute Teaching Seminar for Southeast Missouri State University
• Improving Outcomes for Sub-Populations, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 53rd Annual Cooperative Conference for School Administrators, August 2014
• Characteristics of Middle Level Students Missouri Association of Pupil Transportation Annual Training Session, April 1, 2008
• Characteristics of Middle Level Students Missouri Association of Pupil Transportation Directors Meeting, September 20, 2007
• Walking Through a Walkthrough Southeast Missouri Principal’s Academy January 12, 2006
• Getting Everyone on the Same Page: One Middle School’s Adventure, Missouri Middle School Association 29th Annual Conference, March 18, 2005
• After-School Exploratory Courses: “The Best of Both Worlds” The Transescent, Missouri Middle School
  Association September Issue 2003
• Youth Equestrian Workshop, The Transescent, Missouri Middle School Association September Issue 2003
• Dissertation: An Analysis of Restraining and Facilitating Forces Effecting the Implementation of Specific Practices in Three Exemplary Middle Schools, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, 2001
• “What Do You Do...When You Know Where You Need To Go But Don’t Know How To Get There?”; Missouri Middle School Association 25th Annual Conference, March 17, 2001
• “Perfect Discipline: Rewarding the Good”; The Transescent, Missouri Middle School Association Spring Issue 2000
• “Leadership and Organizational Change”; Missouri Association Secondary School Principals Spring Conference, 1999
• “Assessment of Principal’s Communication Skills”; Record of Educational Administration and Supervision, Wright State University Fall/ Winter Issue 1993
• Thesis: The Use of the Communication Audit to Identify Administrative Success, Southeast Missouri State University, 1992

Awards and Honors

Southeast Missouri State University Young Alumni Merit Award 1988
Missouri DeMolay Educator of the Year

Professional Organizations

Missouri Association Colleges of Teachers of Education

Quote

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal," A. Pike

Best Advice for Students

Be flexible and patient.