Partnership trains teachers, supports students
A fruitful partnership between Mississippi Teacher Corps and the Holly Springs School District continues to thrive in its 18th summer.
The alternate-route teacher prep program, through the University of Mississippi, is again in full swing at Holly Springs High School in June and July with big benefits to both participants and students.
“We want to give our participants a chance to teach over the summer, and we want to help students either get credit recovery or enrichment,” said Dr. Joseph Sweeney, director of MTC. “It is a mutually beneficial partnership. We are glad to have this opportunity, and it’s a lot of fun, too.”
This summer there are 36 participants honing their teaching skills, including 16 in the first year of the program, 12 in the second year and eight lead teachers. Core subjects being taught include math, English, science, and social studies.
“Typically, we have participants from across Mississippi, and all over the United States,” said Sweeney, who came from Michigan, completed the program in 2006 and taught at both H.W. Byers and Byhalia.
Seventy students in the sixth through 12th grades are attending MTC summer classes in 2023, with the vast majority coming from the Holly Springs and Marshall County school districts. The two school districts also assist in providing bus transportation for students and teachers, plus breakfast and lunch are provided at the high school.
“It’s a great set-up for us,” Sweeney said. “We appreciate the support and the teamwork involved in making the program a success each summer.”
MTC launched in 1989. In its 34th year, there are 678 alumni. Participants come into the two-year program with no teaching experience. They earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and commit to teaching two years at a critical-needs public school in Mississippi. Some who have gone through the program choose to stay at their assigned schools, which include Holly Springs and Marshall County.
“We place teachers at schools throughout Mississippi,” Sweeney said. “Then we encourage them to stay in that district, and we have grants to provide incentives for them to stay.”
He said there are 137 school districts in Mississippi, and 104 of those are shortage areas as far as needing teachers.
“The teacher shortage in Mississippi has gotten so much worse,” Sweeney said. “There is only so much we can do to help fill that need, but we certainly do what we can.”
MTC strives to build a sense of community with the aspiring teachers and urges them to be committed and passionate about their jobs.
“I love coming to Holly Springs in the summertime,” said Dr. Abby Clark, principal of the summer school. “We know so many of the families now. We’ve built relationships, and it’s heartwarming to come back. This allows us the opportunity to show the program participants what it’s like to be a part of a small community.”
Both Sweeney and Clark hope the partnership between MTC and Holly Springs continues to flourish.
“We enjoy it, and the benefits are obvious,” Sweeney said. “There are a lot of things going right with this partnership. We are successfully training teachers and helping students stay on track for graduation.”
Dr. Irene Turnage, superintendent of education for the Holly Springs School District, agrees that the partnership has been wonderful.
“For the last 18 summers, we have worked together to provide excellent extended year and summer activities for students in grades six through 12,” Turnage said. “The diverse number of classes and activities through MTC is extremely beneficial because the district is not able to offer as many due to staffing and cost.
“The partnership has been a win-win for MTC and for us. We look forward to the partnership each summer and hope we will be able to offer this great program for many years to come.”
By: Barry Burleson
