AmeriCorps Awards USM over $300K for Teacher Residency Program

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 08:38am | By: Karelia Pitts

The Golden Eagle Teacher Residency Program at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has been awarded a 2024 AmeriCorps State Grant worth over $319,000 to support educator preparation at the graduate level.

“For 30 years, AmeriCorps has united volunteers to strengthen their communities. We are excited to have our USM teacher residents partnering with this wonderful organization through service that enriches both their lives and the lives of those they teach,” said Andrea Krell, instructor and director of teacher residency at USM. “Funding from the AmeriCorps grant will support individuals as they make career transitions to become teachers.”

Starting in July 2024, up to 30 graduate teacher residents at Southern Miss will serve as AmeriCorps volunteers within elementary schools in the following partner school districts: Columbia, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jackson County, Jefferson Davis County, Moss Point, Pass Christian and South Pike. Teacher residents will be enrolled in USM’s Master of Arts in Teaching in inclusive elementary education program which leads to a Mississippi teaching license with endorsements in both elementary education and special education.

“I am proud of our faculty who share a deep commitment to this cause and thankful for the relationships with our K-12 partners,” said Dr. Trent Gould, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at USM. “Our state and nation have reached a watershed moment as it relates to the production and retention of teachers. This partnership with AmeriCorps is yet another declaration that Southern Miss will do all it can, where it can, and when it can to address the teacher shortage in our state.”

Grant funds will contribute to living stipends for students during their residency year and provide additional support in the form of textbooks and testing fees. Each resident will be considered a three-quarter time AmeriCorps member, completing 1,200 service hours over the course of the academic year. The service they provide will help improve the academic performance of students within the residency classrooms while providing residents with hands-on learning opportunities on their pathway to becoming licensed educators. USM will provide teacher residents with tuition scholarships through other grant sources.

Volunteer Mississippi awards AmeriCorps State grants to organizations throughout the state addressing Mississippi’s greatest needs. State-administered AmeriCorps programs offer skills training, continuing education and other benefits that enable members to better serve local needs while gaining valuable work experience.

"We are so excited to see Golden Eagle Teacher Residency embark on this journey of service. This grant is not just about financial support; it is a testament to our commitment to fostering a spirit of service in the state of Mississippi. We eagerly anticipate seeing this program in action,” said Suzanne Rutherford, executive director of Volunteer Mississippi.

Learn more about Volunteer Mississippi. Learn more about the USM School of Education or USM Teacher Residency.