Administration Team
Dr. Brandon Ross, Principal
Muller Road Middle School Family,
I am excited to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year. We are anticipating another dynamic year for our students, faculty and staff, as well as our families. Our theme for the 2024-2025 school year is "Raise the Bar." Last year, we focused on creating a WINNING environment. This year, we are dedicated to RAISING THE BAR and reaching our next level. This commitment extends to our faculty and staff, our students, our families, and the entire community. By collectively committing to Raise The Bar, we will foster an environment where academic excellence thrives, social and emotional growth is nurtured, and students are prepared to contribute to the advancement of our global community.
At Muller Road Middle School we believe that every student has the capacity to learn, grow, and develop into a knowledgeable, reflective, caring, ethical, and contributing citizen. We also believe that every student should be engaged in learning that is challenging, exploratory, integrative, and diverse. The faculty and staff at Muller Road Middle School proudly dedicate ourselves to becoming the best middle grades educators and active advocates for all of our students and families.
We commit to this work through creating an environment that is challenging, healthy, engaging, supportive, and safe and we reinforce our high academic and behavioral standards through charging our students to live by our core values, recognized as BLISS.
Behavior: Project positive behavior in school, at home, and within our community.
Leadership: Exhibit leadership by setting a positive example for others.
Involvement: Engage in extracurricular school wide and community activities.
Scholarship: Commit to scholarship by taking ownership of your learning and always doing your best work.
Service: Dedicate yourself to service by actively seeking opportunities to help others.
I look forward to celebrating all of our successes which are forthcoming this school year. Please reach out to me or any member of my administrative team if you have any questions or concerns.
#RaiseTheBar
With Immense Mustang Pride,
Dr. Brandon R. Ross
Jeneen Blue, 6th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Jeneen D. Blue is a native of Bennettsville, SC. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and her Master's in Teaching. She continued her education to earn an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Capella University and Principal's Certification from Lamar University.
Ms. Blue has served as an educator since 2011, beginning her career as a Mathematics teacher in Richland One School District. She continued her career by serving as a Math Interventionist in Chester County School District. Ms. Blue has served in Richland School District Two as an administrator for the past two years. Currently, Ms. Blue is the 6th Grade Assistant Principal at Muller Road Middle School.
Ms. Blue is very passionate about student achievement and growth. She is extremely excited to work collaboratively with the entire school community to empower our students to achieve excellence.
Shelby Moses, 7th Grade Assistant Principal
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 8th Grade Assistant Principal
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.”
Emily Eberlin, Magnet Lead Teacher
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 Chantal Gilbert, Technology and Learning Coach
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.
Tiffany Hawthorne, Assistant Principal of Instruction
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!!
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.