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ݮƵawarded $1.2 million MDE grant for Mississippi Teacher Residency program

ݮƵawarded $1.2 million MDE grant for Mississippi Teacher Residency program

Contact: Bethany Shipp

STARKVILLE, Miss.—ݮƵ-Meridian’s Division of Education is receiving a $1.2 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Education to help strengthen and expand the state’s teacher pipeline.

ݮƵis among nine Institutions of Higher Education awarded a total of $2,968,855 in grants through MDE’s Mississippi Teacher Residency, or MTR, program to cover tuition and expenses for up to 236 individuals seeking licensure in elementary and special education. The funds were appropriated by the state Legislature this year.

Nicole Cotten, a graduate student in MSU-Meridian’s elementary alternate route program from Bruce, teaches kindergarten at Bruce Elementary School in the Calhoun County School District.
Nicole Cotten, a graduate student in MSU-Meridian’s elementary alternate route program from Bruce, teaches kindergarten at Bruce Elementary School in the Calhoun County School District. (Photo submitted)

The is part of a statewide strategy to expand the teacher pipeline and retain highly effective teachers so all students have teachers who are well-prepared, appropriately licensed and equipped to support the academic progress of all students. The program began in 2019 with funding by a $4.1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and expanded in 2021 with $9.8 million in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. At least 287 individuals have completed the MTR program since it was created.

The grants are provided to the universities’ educator preparation programs, or EPP, to enroll candidates to complete an approved program to obtain their initial license or supplemental endorsement in Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education Mild/Moderate. MSU-Meridian’s education division will provide program training alongside a mentor teacher, licensure testing support and professional development while partnering with Mississippi public school districts in geographical critical shortage areas.

“Mississippi State is proud to partner with MDE to expand the Mississippi Teacher Residency program,” said Teresa Jayroe, ݮƵCollege of Education dean. “This grant helps us prepare and support more teachers for critical shortage areas, ensuring every child in our state has access to a well-prepared and dedicated educator.”

Ideal applicants for the MTR cohort are individuals already enrolled in an EPP, licensed educators seeking a supplemental endorsement and/or prospective educators as advised by the IHE. Unlike previous cohorts of the MTR program, applicants must apply directly through the university or college instead of applying through MDE. Individuals accepted into the MTR program will receive financial support with tuition, testing fees, books, mentor stipends and other programmatic services.

“This grant makes it possible for aspiring teachers to pursue their calling without the heavy financial burden that often comes with higher education,” said Kimberly R. Hall, College of Education associate dean and head of MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education. “By supporting students with tuition, mentoring and real classroom experience, we are opening doors for more individuals to step confidently into the teaching profession and make a difference from day one.”

Michelle Stubbs, MTR principal investigator and assistant teaching professor, added, “Faculty in the Division of Education at MSU-Meridian are dedicated to supporting educators at every stage of their journey, whether they are lead teachers or teacher assistants, by providing pathways to earn a five-year, renewable K-6 teaching license. These professionals are not only advancing their credentials, but also making a tangible, day-to-day impact in classrooms across Mississippi.”

MSU’s teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which sets rigorous national standards for teacher preparation. As part of MSU’s program, 100% of MTR students are placed in yearlong internships where they gain hands-on experience in partnership districts across the state.  

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