MSU welcomes 12th Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program cohort

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Thirty-one ��Ƶ students are new scholarship recipients in one of the state’s most prestigious teacher education programs.

Members of the 2024 cohort of ��Ƶ’s Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program pose on the steps of a campus building. — Members of the 2024 cohort of ��Ƶ’s Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program receive full tuition, room and board, books, a $1,000 technology stipend and a fully funded national or study-abroad experience in exchange for their commitment to teach in the Magnolia State in their program area for at least five years after graduation. (Photo by Madeline Blackburn)

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, room and board, 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.

“We are excited to welcome these future educators and our 12th cohort of METP scholars from across the state and nation,” said Teresa Jayroe, dean of the College of Education. “The support from the Robert M. Hearin Foundation for our outstanding METP scholars positively impacts education and communities across the state of Mississippi.”

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.

“These recipients of the METP scholarship will make a difference in the lives of their students and change the future of education in Mississippi,” said Kim Hall, associate dean of the College of Education and coprincipal investigator for the METP grant. “Already, we have seen the tremendous impact graduates of this program have had on the lives of children and within their communities.”

Recipients include:

AMORY—Anna Claire Tutor, freshman elementary education major

BOONEVILLE—Caitlyn King, sophomore elementary education major

BRANDON—Bradley Burke, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in English

COLLINSVILLE—Sarah Cooksey, junior elementary education major

COLUMBUS—Gillon “Grace” Massey, senior special education major

CORINTH—Andrew Carpenter, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in English

DECATUR—Ethan Bunty, sophomore secondary education major with a concentration in English

EADS, Tennessee—Lillian Bartlett, freshman elementary education major

EUPORA—Maddie McMullan, freshman elementary education major

FRANKLIN, Tennessee—Isabelle “Grace” Connors, freshman elementary education major

GAUTIER—Wesley Job, sophomore music education major

GRENADA—Malaree Williams, freshman elementary education major

GULFPORT—Kennedie Jordan, freshman elementary education major

HATTIESBURG—Anna Pace, sophomore elementary education major

HOMEWOOD, Alabama—Sophia Outman, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in English

KILN—Nathan Andrews, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in chemistry

KOSCIUSKO—Caitlin Settlemir, junior secondary education major with a concentration in English

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas—Grace Garrity, freshman elementary education major

MERIDIAN—Avrie Boles, sophomore elementary education major

O’FALLON, Illinois—Charles Gilliam, sophomore elementary education major

PASS CHRISTIAN—Maria Schuyler, sophomore elementary education major

QUITMAN—Kendal Davidson, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in math

SOUTHAVEN—Michael Mahnken, sophomore secondary education major with a concentration in social studies

ST. PAUL, Minnesota—Frederick Kinney, junior special education major

STARKVILLE—Ty Boren, senior special education major, and Ava Johnston, freshman elementary education major

TUPELO—Lia Darracott, sophomore secondary education major with a concentration in English, and Annsley Hill, sophomore special education major

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Campbell Booth, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in math

VANCLEAVE—Maison Evans, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in math

WAVELAND—Emily Collins, freshman secondary education major with a concentration in English

MSU’s College of Education is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at .

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