Ole Miss Center Selects Inaugural STEM Teacher Leaders in Mississippi
OXFORD, Miss. – According to an Ole Miss press release, the Mississippi STEM Education Alliance has selected 16 teachers from across the state to serve as the inaugural members of the National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program, an effort to improve science, technology, engineering and math education.
Over the next four years, the University of Mississippi’s Center for Mathematics and Science Education will provide professional development, alternative endorsement routes and leadership training to the members, who will share what they learn with educators statewide.
“These educators were selected because they lead by example, believe deeply in the potential of every student and are committed to growing alongside their peers,” said Alice Steimle, the center director. “We believe they have the capacity to influence learning far beyond their own classrooms.
“Through the relationships, professional learning and leadership opportunities provided by this program, these teachers will help strengthen mathematics education across Mississippi and elevate the teaching profession for years to come.”
Funded by a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the Mississippi STEM Education Alliance is a statewide partnership that aims to address the state’s teacher shortage while highlighting and supporting dedicated instructors, said Johnathan Hill, the alliance’s program coordinator.
“Through collaborations with schools, higher education institutions, professional organizations and state education leaders, the alliance is working to strengthen Mississippi’s STEM teacher workforce, expand professional learning opportunities and improve STEM education for students across the state,” he said.
The Mississippi Department of Education’s 2025-2026 Educator Workforce Shortages and Strategies report noted some 900 vacancies for STEM teachers. By providing endorsement and professional development in teaching mathematics, the alliance hopes to allow teachers who are already teaching in Mississippi to help fill the gap.
The alliance selected 16 educators for the inaugural group:
- Franchesca Afrim, Brandon High School
- Melinda Austin, Hernando High School
- Jalisia Cook, Ridgeland High School
- Jennifer Crissey, Germantown High School
- Mihir Datta, Holmes County Central High School
- Reneice Glasper, Lewisburg High School
- De’Adriana Jackson, Natchez Early College at Copiah-Lincoln Community College
- Atoyia Jackson, Blue Mountain High School
- Jessica King, Hernando Middle School
- Reshondra Lakes, West Tallahatchie High School
- Jacqueline Lewis, Southeast High School
- Krystal Long, Hancock Middle School
- Kayla Morman, Grenada High School
- Dane Peagler, Brandon High School
- Judith Terry, Center Hill High School
- Ashton Winstead, Northwest Rankin High School.
Each of the teachers is specializing in one of four content areas: middle math, algebra, geometry, and statistics and data literacy. These areas are crucial to student education, said Morman, who is on the middle math team.
“Mathematics and STEM education are vital for Mississippi students today,” she said. “As educators, our responsibility is not simply to prepare students for the jobs that exist today, but for a future that has not even been engineered yet.”
Members will participate in professional development, collaborate with fellow educators and share instructional strategies with teachers in their home districts.
“One of the biggest challenges is helping students overcome the belief that they aren’t good at math,” said De’Adriana Jackson, a member of the algebra team. “Many students come into our classrooms carrying years of frustration or self-doubt.
“As teachers, we have to build their confidence while also helping them master rigorous content.”
The program is designed to help teachers show their students that math is for everyone and that mathematics has real-world applications that they can use.
“Participation in this program will help me address the frequently asked question, ‘When am I ever going to use this?'” said Atoyia Jackson, who is in the statistics and data literacy content area. “My students will tackle real-world problem-solving that can be applied globally. They will look at authentic data sets, build models and use inquiry-based learning.
“They learn to think like scientists and data analysts, making math relevant and engaging rather than a series of rules to memorize.”
Beyond improving their own classrooms, the teachers are expected to share new strategies with colleagues across the state.
“Every classroom is different, so learning from teachers across Mississippi gives us new perspectives and ideas that we can bring back to our own students,” said Long, who is in the middle math content area. “I hope this program builds lasting relationships where educators continue to share, collaborate and support one another long after the program ends.”
Future iterations of the program will focus on other areas of STEM education, with a long-term goal of creating teacher support networks throughout the state, Steimle said.
“The Mississippi STEM Education Alliance is ultimately about continuing the work of the CMSE to build capacity across our state,” Steimle said. “We are aiming for a lasting culture in which STEM educators are participating in meaningful professional networks and supported as leaders in their field.
“When teachers are empowered and connected, our students benefit, schools benefit and Mississippi benefits.”
This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation’s National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program Regional Alliance grant no. 2454022.
