Erin Meyer, Esq. General Counsel | Linkedin
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced it will distribute nearly $3 million in grants to nine state universities as part of the Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program. The funding, totaling $2,968,855, will support up to 236 individuals seeking licensure in elementary and special education.
This financial support was made possible through appropriations by the Mississippi Legislature earlier this year. According to the MDE, “The MTR will provide grants to the universities’ educator preparation programs (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. MTR will include training alongside a mentor teacher, licensure testing support, professional development, and a commitment to teach in a geographical critical shortage area.”
Eligible applicants for this round of funding include individuals already enrolled in educator preparation programs, licensed teachers seeking additional endorsements, and prospective educators recommended by their university. In a change from previous years, applications must be submitted directly through participating institutions rather than through the department.
Successful candidates will receive assistance covering tuition costs, testing fees, books, mentor stipends, and other related expenses. Grants were awarded based on proposed budgets from each institution.
The recipients and their grant amounts are as follows:
- Delta State University: $280,000
- Jackson State University: $272,417
- Mississippi College: $119,684
- Mississippi State University: $1,298,981
- Mississippi University for Women: $140,000
- Mississippi Valley State University: $279,000
- University of Mississippi: $242,773
- University of Southern Mississippi: $196,000
- William Carey University: $140,000
“The MTR 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,” according to the department.
Since its launch in 2019 with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and later expansion with federal relief funds in 2021 via the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief allocation,[federal relief funds](https://oese.ed.gov/offices/american-rescue-plan/elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief/) at least 287 individuals have completed the program.
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