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�Թ���’s School of Education will launch the “Investing in Teacher Assistants Initiative” this summer, with help from a $300,000 grant from Mississippi’s Robert M. Hearin Foundation.

The initiative will help teacher assistants earn their bachelor’s degrees and become fully accredited classroom teachers through a combination of tuition assistance, flexible course delivery, and mentoring to support their efforts.

“With more than 3,000 teacher vacancies in Mississippi, we need effective classroom teachers now more than ever. �Թ��� has been educating teachers for more than a century – and it’s a leader in fighting the teacher shortage,” said �Թ��� President Ben Burnett.

“This teacher assistant program is an excellent way to help people who are already working in our classrooms finish their degrees in a flexible, affordable manner. We are thrilled to receive these funds to improve Mississippi schools.”

Established in 1965, the Hearin Foundation supports higher education and health-related causes.

“This initiative can transform para-professionals into certified teachers who remain in their home communities, fill high-demand jobs, improve educational quality, and strengthen the economic foundation of rural communities,” said Dr. Teresa Poole, dean of the �Թ��� School of Education.

Graduates of the �Թ��� School of Education routinely exceed the state scoring average on the PRAXIS licensure exams. Niche.com ranks the �Թ��� School of Education the No. 1 Best College for Education in Mississippi – and in the top 10 nationwide.

�Թ��� School of Education’s new initiative will blend tuition assistance, flexible course delivery and mentoring to help teacher assistants become fully accredited classroom teachers.