The Mississippi Department of Education, through its Mississippi Teacher Residency program, has awarded a $119,684 grant to Mississippi College to cover tuition, fees and textbooks for 20 new graduate students seeking initial licensure in elementary education (K-6).
The award is among almost $3 million in grants given by the MDE to nine Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The funds were appropriated by the state Legislature this year.
Individuals accepted into the MTR Program receive financial support with tuition, testing fees, books, mentor stipends and other programmatic services in exchange for a commitment to teach in a geographical critical shortage area during their residency year.
Wesley Wilson, MC assistant professor of teacher education and leadership and coordinator of the department’s Alternate Route Programs, said the funding “underscores MC’s commitment to preparing effective, well-supported teachers who serve where they are needed most…