In an effort to fill over 3,000 teacher vacancies, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is awarding nearly $10 million to five universities to cover tuition for aspiring educators.
Through the Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program, $9,886,468 will go to Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and William Carey University. The money, which comes from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, will be dispersed in two phases.
The grants will be provided to each university’s educator preparation program and will be used to ensure accepted individuals receive full scholarships, testing fees, books, and mentor stipends.
“At MDE, we are committed to developing more effective teachers particularly for critical areas in Mississippi,” Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, said. “We are delighted to collaborate with these five universities to not only eliminate students’ financial costs for a graduate degree but also equip potential educators with necessary tools inside and outside the classroom.”
Applications will be available on MDE’s website by April 2022. Up to 240 people seeking a graduate degree in elementary and secondary education will be accepted.
