Administration Team

Muller Road Middle School Family,

I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year! We are anticipating another exciting and impactful year for our students, faculty, staff, and families.

Our theme for this school year is "Be LEGENDARY." Last year, we focused on Raising the Bar. This year, we are committed to leaving our mark and striving each day to be the best version of ourselves. This commitment includes every member of our community, our students, staff, families, and partners. Together, by choosing to Be Legendary, we will continue to build an environment where academic excellence thrives, emotional growth is supported, and students are empowered to make meaningful contributions to our global society.

At Muller Road Middle School, we believe every student can learn, grow, and evolve into a reflective, ethical, and compassionate leader. We are equally committed to ensuring that their learning experiences are challenging, exploratory, integrative, and diverse. Our faculty and staff take pride in being strong advocates and passionate educators for our students and families.

We live out this commitment by fostering a school culture that is healthy, safe, supportive, and engaging. Through our high expectations and shared values, we encourage every student to live by our core values, known as BLISS:

• Behavior: Demonstrate positive behavior at school, at home, and in the community.
   
• Leadership: Lead by example and inspire others through your actions.
   
• Involvement: Participate in school and community activities with pride.
   
• Scholarship: Take ownership of your learning and strive for academic excellence.
   
• Service: Seek opportunities to serve and uplift those around you.
   

I look forward to the many successes ahead and to celebrating each milestone with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our administrative team with questions or concerns.

#BeLegendary

With Immense Mustang Pride,
Dr. Brandon R. Ross
Principal

Ms. Jeneen D. Blue is a proud native of Bennettsville, South Carolina. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and her Master’s in Teaching. She furthered her education at Capella University, earning an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and completed her Principal Certification through Lamar University.

Since 2011, Ms. Blue has dedicated her career to serving students and families. She started as a Mathematics teacher in Richland One School District, later worked as a Math Interventionist in Chester County School District, and now proudly serves as the 6th Grade Assistant Principal at Muller Road Middle School in Richland School District Two.

Ms. Blue is deeply committed to fostering student achievement and growth. She looks forward to working collaboratively with students, families, and staff to empower each student to reach their highest potential.

Mr. Moses has proudly served in public education for the past 11 years. He received his undergraduate degree (Middle Level Education) from Francis Marion, and his graduate degree (Educational Leadership and Supervision) from Queens University of Charlotte. 

Mr. Moses began his teaching career at Southeast Middle School in Richland School District One, where he taught ELA and Social Studies for three years while also coaching the basketball team. Mr. Moses then moved to Chapin Middle School, and taught and coached basketball there for the next four years as well. From there, Mr. Moses transitioned to the Alternative Academy for Success as the Assistant Principal for the next three years. In his free time, Mr. Moses enjoys traveling, working out, playing and watching sports, and spending time with his family and friends.

Mr. Moses is looking forward to continuing Muller Road's long record of success! Go Mustangs!

Dr. Vanessa Rhoden became an educator 28 years ago as a high school Biology and Physical Science teacher at Bishopville High School in Lee County School District. Thereafter, she transitioned to teaching middle school science at W.G. Sanders Middle School in Richland School District One and then to E.L. Wright Middle School in Richland School District Two. After teaching in the classroom for 15 years, Dr. Rhoden was promoted to Assistant Administrator and then to Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Richland Northeast High School. In 2022, Dr. Rhoden transitioned to Westwood High School as an Assistant Principal of Operations. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Biology, a master of education degree in secondary education, and a master of education degree in educational leadership all from the University of South Carolina (Columbia). She earned a Doctor of Education degree in General Education from Northcentral University. Dr. Rhoden also holds a National Boards Certified Teaching certificate in Early Adolescence (E/A) Science.

Dr. Rhoden said, “I have been in Richland School District Two for 22 years. It is a pleasure and an honor to return to the middle school level. I am excited and eager to serve as an assistant principal at Muller Road Middle School under the leadership of Dr. Brandon Ross.”

I became an educator to share with others my passion for literature and the power behind language.  This is my 20th year in education.  I spent my first 6 years teaching English 1 and 2 to 9th and 10th graders before moving to Muller Road when we opened our doors in 2011.

I am married to my best friend and we have three children.  Libby is 10  and in 2nd grade.  Cate and Rhett are 7 years old.  

I graduated from Clemson University in 2001 with a Bachelors in English.  I also received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Winthrop, a Master of Education in Administration from Arkansas State, and a Master of Education in Language and Literacy from the University of South Carolina.

Diane Gilbert is a National Board Certified instructor in Richland School District Two.  As a teacher, she has served in the areas of drama, video production, and language arts.  Currently, she is the Technology Learning Coach for Muller Road Middle School.  In this role, she seeks to support and encourage the use of technology for teaching and student development in the 21st Century Skills: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Collaboration.

In order to develop as a manager, she has earned her degree in administration and utilizes key strategies and concepts in her roles as Technology Specialist and Tri-DAC Coordinator.  Ms. Gilbert has been named a SC-ASCD Teacher of the Year and has also earned the Richland Two Culture of Excellence Award.

Mrs. Tiffany Hawthorne was born and raised in a small town in Michigan near the Michigan/Ohio border. She moved to South Carolina in 2008 for her first teaching position and fell in love with the area and never left. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education (mild to moderate) from the University of Toledo (Toledo, OH).  She went on to receive her first Master’s Degree in Science with a concentration in Educational Psychology from Capella University and her second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Grand Canyon University.

She has been a part of the Richland 2 family for 16 years. Mrs. Hawthorne began her teaching career at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary in their special education department teaching 3rd-5th grade and preschool for 13 years. She moved on to being the Lead Teacher of TWO Academies at Dent Middle School for the past 3 years before moving to Muller Road to be the Assistant Principal of Instruction.

Mrs. Hawthorne is passionate about seeing every child grow and succeed and celebrated for their accomplishments. She is very excited to be part of the amazing Muller Road Middle school team and show her Mustang Pride!!

Jpatterson@richland2.org

School: 803-691-6851

I’m excited to serve as the Director of School Counseling at Muller Road Middle. I will serve the 8th grade students for this academic year. I enjoy working with students to help promote their academic, emotional, and social needs for overall success. It is my hope that by working with the students, they will also gain essential skills that will help them become college and career ready for the future. 

I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, exercise, and watching my favorite sports teams. 

I look forward to another awesome school year for our students at Muller Road Middle.