Margie Vandeven is passionate about ensuring that each child has the opportunity to graduate prepared for success. She has more than 27 years of student-centered service in education, including three at Missouri’s top educational post. She is a teacher who has provided education leadership in the classroom, school, state and national roles assumed throughout her career.
Vandeven joined the Department in 2005 as a supervisor of the Missouri School Improvement Program before serving as a director of accountability data and school improvement, an assistant commissioner in the Office of Quality Schools, and as deputy commissioner of the Division of Learning Services. She was appointed commissioner of elementary and secondary education by the Missouri State Board of Education in December 2014 and served in that capacity until December 2017. She was reappointed in January 2019. During the interim, Vandeven worked as the director of educational partnerships for the SAS Institute in Cary, N.C. As commissioner, Dr. Vandeven works collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders to improve educational opportunities for more than 918,000 Missouri students.
Dr. Vandeven began her education career in 1990 as a Missouri teacher. From 1995-2002, she taught high school English and served as an administrator in Maryland before returning to Missouri as an English teacher and administrator.
Dr. Vandeven earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Loyola University Maryland. She received a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership from Saint Louis University and has been recognized by Missouri State University and St. Louis University as a distinguished alumna. A native of O’Fallon, Missouri, she and her husband, David, reside in Foristell.