The Department has named Stacey Preis the new assistant commissioner for the Office of Early and Extended Learning, and Constance Rush the director of legislative outreach.

Both began their duties effective earlier this month.

“We are pleased to welcome Constance and Stacey to the Department,” said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro. “Both are extremely talented in their fields, and will do their best to meet the needs of Missouri’s children.”

From 2008-2014 Preis served as the executive director of the joint committee on education for the Missouri General Assembly. She previously worked at the University of Missouri and taught English and journalism at Jefferson City High School.

Preis, who lives in Columbia, has a doctorate in educational policy studies, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in English, all from the University of Missouri.

Rush, from St. Louis, most recently served as a legislative analyst for Missouri State Representative Kim Gardner. She held several public relations and public affairs jobs across the United States and worked for a law clinic in Europe. Rush is licensed to practice law in California.

Rush holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Florida A&M University and a law degree from California Western School of Law.