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Child Development Center

Faculty and Staff

KB Rucker

Director, Child Development Center

KB Rucker is very excited to build a strong foundation for your child’s academic future. She is the proud mother of a 16-year-old spirited daughter, Mary Joy, and a 13-year-old step-daughter, Mia. She is a competitive powerlifter and holds USPA State Records in both Arizona and Indiana. In June 2024, her family relocated to Tennessee, where they are excited to make their forever home.

She graduated with a Master’s in Education in May 2023 from Marian University and has a diverse background in early childhood education. With over 17 years of experience in the field, she has taught Kindergarten for 4 years and 1st grade for one year. She prides herself on fostering social-emotional development in the classroom, with a strong focus on self-help skills and critical thinking.

Preparing your child for their future is a collaborative effort, and she emphasizes the importance of teamwork with parents. She believes that the classroom is a School Family, and her approach is grounded in Conscious Discipline and Love & Logic. She encourages parents to explore these strategies, which can also be applied at home.

She looks forward to building a meaningful relationship with your child and family.


Shalonda Burgess

Lead teacher/Mentor, Preschool

Mrs. Shalonda has worked in the field of Early Childhood, predominantly preschool, for over 20 years. She acquired her education from MTSU with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Art in Teaching (K-6th) from Trevecca Nazarene University.  She has teaching experience from Infancy through preschool by teaching at Head Start, public, and private institutions. Shalonda serves as a model/mentor teacher in the Preschool Program where she counsels MTSU Early Childhood majors. Throughout the semester, she is of service to the students in developmentally appropriate practices and professional teaching methods.  Mrs. Shalonda enjoys life, laughter, and quality time with her husband and two adult sons.


Amanda Gjertson

Lead teacher, Infant/Toddler

Ms. Amanda has over fifteen years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE). She has a B.S. degree from MTSU in Psychology with minors in Lifespan Development and Linguistic Studies. She is beginning graduate classes in ECE this fall. She is also pursuing an Infant/Toddler Credential from the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) and working towards earning an Infant Family Associate Endorsement through the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN). In her free time, she loves nature photography and is learning to play the ukulele.


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Middle Tennessee State University Child Development Center 

College of Education 
P.O. Box 532 
Murfreesboro, TN 37132

Office: 615 898-2198 
Fax: 615-898-5313
 
Street Address: 
820 Fairview Building 
Suites 113-117 
Murfreesboro, TN 37132