Mississippi Teacher Corps Participant

The Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC) is an alternate-route graduate program at the University of Mississippi that prepares participants to be classroom teachers (grades 7-12). Participants are placed in Mississippi public schools that are experiencing a teacher shortage.

MTC provides training, support, Mississippi teacher certification, and a full scholarship for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Mississippi. During the school year, participants receive full pay and benefits from their school district and attend graduate classes at the University of Mississippi. Each year, MTC accepts between 25-35 candidates. All participants move as a cohort through each stage of the training and coursework.

Requirements:

1. An undergraduate degree with coursework (12-18 hours, depending on the subject) related to at least one of the following areas: math, science, English, social studies, or a foreign language.
2. A minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework.
3. Minimum ACT composite score of 21, OR minimum SAT score of 990 (verbal and math only), OR passing scores on the Praxis Core exam.
4. Passing score on the Praxis II test in the subject area you wish to teach.
5. Participants must have a valid social security number and provide the Mississippi Department of Education with proof of lawful presence in the US.

Participants in the Mississippi Teacher Corps receive the following benefits:

1. Full scholarship for a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Mississippi (covers all tuition, books, and fees)
2. Job placement in a Mississippi public school with full salary and benefits from the school district
3. A class A license in Mississippi
4. $1,000 summer stipend to help cover moving & incidental expenses (half paid before the middle of July, half paid before the middle of August)*
5. $300 technology stipend to cover the cost of purchasing/owning a computer.
6. $1,300 classroom supplies grant ($1,000 the first year and $300 the second-year)
7. $1,000 contract bonus (paid in late fall)
8. Free on-campus housing during the summer training program
9. Breakfast and lunch during the summer training program
10. Free hotel room on Friday and Saturday nights when classes meet in Oxford
11. Mentoring and support from the MTC administration, second-year teachers and alumni

Program Goals:

1. To recruit participants who have a commitment to racial justice and desire to become effective, compassionate educators for all students.
2. To provide training that promotes and emphasizes teamwork, relationship-building, diversity, equity, and anti-racist practices.
3. To have participants who engage with the communities they serve.
4. To place participants in partnering critical-needs schools where there is a teacher shortage.
5. To provide academic, instructional, and emotional support to our participants throughout their two-year experience.
6. To promote a program culture that cultivates kindness, gratitude, excellence.