MSU welcomes 14th Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program cohort
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Thirty-six Mississippi State students are new scholarship recipients in one of the state’s most prestigious teacher education programs.
Housed in the university’s College of Education, the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program is a collaborative endeavor with the University of Mississippi. The scholarship, available to majors in K-12 education, includes full tuition, housing, dining, books, a $1,000 technology stipend and a fully funded national or study-abroad experience.
Funded by the Jackson-based Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, the scholarship is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years.
“These outstanding scholars represent the future of education in Mississippi,” said MSU College of Education Dean Teresa Jayroe. “Through the METP, they will receive exceptional preparation, meaningful professional experiences and the support needed to become highly effective educators. We are proud to welcome this new cohort and grateful for their commitment to serving students and strengthening communities across our state.”
Competitive applicants should have at least a 28 ACT—or 1310 SAT—score and a 3.5 high school GPA. Applicants participate in an interview with faculty, submit an essay on their interest in the teaching profession and commit to teaching in Mississippi in their program area for at least five years after graduation. This obligation may be deferred if students decide to enter graduate degree programs.
“One of the greatest strengths of the METP is its commitment to developing educators who choose to build their careers here in Mississippi,” said Kimberly Hall, associate dean of the College of Education and co-principal investigator for the grant. “These scholars are investing their talents in our state’s future, and we are committed to providing them with the preparation, support and experiences they need to become exceptional teachers and leaders.”
Recipients and their majors include:
—BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: Ma’eva Fortson, freshman, elementary education
—BRANDON: Laken Curtis, sophomore, elementary education; and Abram Eubanks, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in math; and Ailey Griffin, freshman, elementary education
—CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: Mary Claire Monahan, freshman, special education
—COLDWATER: Parker Reid, freshman, elementary education
—COLLIERVILLE, TENNESSEE: Lily Beth Carpenter, junior, secondary education with a concentration in biology
—COLLINSVILLE: Alexis Richardson, sophomore, secondary education with a concentration in biology
—COVINGTON, LOUISIANA: Eleanor Francis, freshman, elementary education
—DAPHNE, ALABAMA: Morgan Hewes, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in math
—GULFPORT: Andrea Moseley, freshman, elementary education
—HATTIESBURG: Sadie Kittler, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in English; and Addison Wilberding, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in English
—HERNANDO: Libby Foster, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in math
—KILLEN, ALABAMA: Rachel Cole, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in biology
—LONG BEACH: Camden Shortridge, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in English
—MATHISTON: Jake Wilson, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in biology
—MERIDIAN: Michael Lewis, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in math; Alana Nixon, sophomore, elementary education; and Cooper Sellers, freshman, music education
—MOBILE, ALABAMA: Mary Carlton Johnson, freshman, elementary education
—NESBITT: Gracie Green, freshman, elementary education
—OCEAN SPRINGS: Hayden Van, freshman, elementary education
—OLIVE BRANCH: Ainsley Carver, freshman, elementary education; and Tyler Hogan, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in math
—OWEN'S CROSSROADS, ALABAMA: Allison Naccari, sophomore, special education
—PHILADELPHIA: Avery Kate Holland, freshman, elementary education
—PONTOTOC: Anna Reid Crane, junior, elementary education
—PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA: Elijah Anderson, freshman, elementary education
—RICHMOND, TEXAS: Caleb Kean, sophomore, secondary education with a concentration in math
—SALTILLO: Taylor Douglass, sophomore, secondary education with a concentration in English
—STARKVILLE: Keylee Lang, freshman, secondary education with a concentration in biology
—STONEWALL: Marlee Brannan, sophomore, secondary education with a concentration in biology
—SUMMIT: Caroline Williams, freshman, special education
—TRUSSVILLE, ALABAMA: Ella Serena, sophomore, elementary education
—VANCLEAVE: Ashten Ely, junior, special education
MSU’s College of Education is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters.