School Focus Spring 2024

School Focus

School Focus

Contributors

Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Donna Boone

Associate Editor

Jean Cook

Managing Editor

Heather Craig

Editor

Diane Godwin

Designer

Chris McMillen

Writers

Chance Carden

Nathan King

Emma O’Bryant

All photos were submitted by the MDE or their respective districts unless otherwise noted.

On the Cover

Mississippi School of Math and Science students wear t-shirts reflecting the colleges they were accepted to and plan to attend.

Innovating Education Innovating Education

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Experience

By Chance Carden

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) has been providing Mississippi juniors and seniors an immersive educational experience since 1987 It is the sole public,

residential high school specifically tailored to meet the needs of the state’s most academically talented students, with a strong emphasis in STEM education Located on the historic campus of the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi,

MSMS students enjoy access to a wide array of university amenities and services, in addition to MSMS academic buildings, residence halls and a performing arts center

MSMS welcomes Mississippi residents who are current high school soph-

Opposite page: 2023 MSMS graduate Jaiden Ball (Byram) signs an interest form to be included in the upcoming meeting for the Engineering Club. Left: Madison Echols is a Class of 2023 Alumna from Hattiesburg. Right: MSMS Senior Ava Grace Noe (Paris, MS) researched the Record of Apprentices, Bonds and Indentures for Lowndes County, January 1866-October 1870, and portrays Martha Battle Fort. Born into a prominent North Carolina family, Fort moved to Columbus when her family purchased a large tract of land just across the state line in Alabama. Noe’s performance explores the trials Fort faced when her husband died and her second husband engaged in scandalous behavior, which threatened the stability of her family.

omores to apply for enrollment The school actively seeks applicants with a demonstrated history of outstanding academic achievement, a passionate curiosity about the world and a strong desire to work diligently towards their goals Typically, MSMS maintains an enrollment of around 230-240 students, and the Class of 2023, consisting of 104 graduates, accepted a total of $8 2 million in scholarships out of the more than $25 million offered� MSMS consistently ranks first for the overall ACT average among Mississippi high schools, boasting a senior ACT average score of 29

“MSMS aims to serve as a valuable support and partner to Mississippi school districts and families,” administrator Ginger Tedder stated� Tedder is an MSMS graduate who returned to the institution in 2023 as the Director for Academic Affairs and promoted to Executive Director in 2024

“One of our goals is to provide gifted students with opportunities to flourish

as leaders who understand the significance of creativity, community, scholarship and service,” she said Course offerings at MSMS are diverse, encompassing subjects like French, German, Russian, Engineering Design, App Design, Intro to Artificial Intelligence, 3D Modeling, Photography, Dramatic Performance, Guitar Studies and Piano, among others In addition to coursework, students can engage in tutorial sessions with faculty members to further enhance their learning Faculty members dedicate 10 scheduled office hours per week during non-teaching periods to provide assistance and enrichment tailored to individual student needs

Additionally, all faculty members are available for two extra hours from Monday through Thursday for tutorial sessions

In conjunction with their academic classes, MSMS also offers an extensive variety of programs and clubs for

students to choose from The Mentorship Program is a notable offering, providing students with hands-on experience in their chosen career field

As students identify their intended college majors, they collaborate with local community members to acquire valuable workforce skills and practical experience� Each week, students spend approximately three hours with a mentor and complete assignments related to their placements

Regarding mathematics and science instruction, MSMS breaks away from the conventional classroom model Through a partnership with Mississippi State University, students can engage in the MSU Research Program, offering them the unique opportunity to conduct scientific research under the mentorship of both MSMS and MSU staff Students are paired with university professors to contribute to ongoing research projects

This program requires students to attend an orientation session, complete

70 hours of research and present a poster project of their findings “MSU research allows our students to envision themselves as scientists and engineers”, Lib Morgan, an MSMS Chemistry faculty member and MSMS alumna, stated “They get a glimpse of what academic research looks like and how that research is ultimately disseminated to the broader scientific community They get hands-on experience in an area of their choosing and often make significant contributions to the field, getting their first citations or publications as high school students ”

MSMS boasts over 50 student-led clubs and organizations and actively participates in a wide array of academic and special interest competitions Notably, the school takes part in the Regeneron International Science

and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a global science competition where students have the chance to earn awards and scholarships In the previous year, eight MSMS students were among the 16 Mississippi representatives at ISEF

One student, Madison Echols from the Class of 2023, secured fourth place in Biomedical and Health Sciences for her project titled, “Investigating the Potential for Vitamin D3 to Serve as a Therapeutic Against the Degenerative Effects of Diabetes Using Drosophila Melanogaster as a Model Organism ”

Students and staff also combine research with performance through the Tales from the Crypt project created by the late Carl Butler in 1991 According to MSMS Director for Advancement Melonie Busby, the program helps students, “ combine the

best of scholarly research with the best of dramatic performance ”

To begin, students embark on primary document research related to individuals buried at the historic Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi Students then transform their research findings into dramatic monologues, presenting them in evening performances on the cemetery grounds for the public The project has garnered numerous awards, including the 2005 Governor’s Excellence in the Arts Award, and has received recognition in publications across the United States

In support of their mission to grow their outreach and partnerships, and to become a resource for Mississippi public school districts, some MSMS students create math problems and activities based on children’s books at the

Left to right: Hilldana Tibebu (Starkville), Madison Echols (Hattiesburg), Addie White (Olive Branch) and Lexi Holdiness (Enterprise) display their chosen universities during the annual MSMS College Reveal Day.

local public library This content is then shared with students in grades Pre-K to 8 at programs like Math Superstars, which is a math contest for young students who love to problem-solve� MSMS math teacher Lauren Zarandona, discussed how students go beyond simply learning the content and use it to give back

“Math Outreach at MSMS stands out as a unique opportunity for MSMS to serve their community authentically while addressing what they feel is a major need: a lack of opportunity for mathematical excellence for all students in all schools,” Zarandona said

Looking ahead, MSMS continues to explore new curriculum offerings to adapt to trends in college majors and workforce needs� The school is expanding its catalog of online STEM courses available to Mississippi students and school districts Moreover, MSMS is experimenting with innovative cross-curriculum learning methods, offering special project courses designed by faculty to engage students in problem solving and inquiry while highlighting their unique passions and talents These project courses delve into highly specific topics, including areas of study such as Cryptography and Medical Spanish

As New York Times bestselling author Deb Fallows said, “MSMS is a gift from Mississippi to the country and a lesson and model for secondary education,” and with the school’s expansive and unique offerings, it is easy to see why The institution’s commitment to academic excellence, mentorship programs, research opportunities and diverse range of clubs and organizations showcases its dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders and driving innovation in Mississippi education

2023 MSMS graduate Nathan George (Baldwyn) attends the annual social club fair designed for students to engage with peers and discover new interests.

Left to Right: MSMS Emissaries Lexi Holdiness (Enterprise), Hilldana Tibebu (Starkville) and Madison Echols (Hattiesburg) pose for a picture after the 2022 opening convocation. The students are now Class of 2023 Alumae.

PGSD Student Places First in Poetry Out Loud Competition

Pascagoula High School’s (Pascagoula-Gautier School District) Malisha Taylor won the 2024 Mississippi Poetry Out Loud Competition in March Taylor was awarded $200, and Pascagoula High School will receive a $500 stipend to purchase poetry materials�

“I am surprised but happy and

grateful that my hard work led to something,” Taylor said, after the Mississippi Arts Council announced her as the Mississippi Poetry Out Loud State Champion

“Cold sweats went down my body I didn’t expect it, but I’m happy ”

In the first round, Taylor recited, “Mansplaining,” by Jennifer Militello,

and in the second round, “I Felt a Funeral in My Brain,” by Emily Dickenson, and “Burning in the Rain,” by Richard Blanco was Taylor’s winning recitation

Taylor will now advance to the national finals in Washington, D C , April 30–May 2, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed

“I don’t travel much I’ve only trav-

The winners of the Mississippi Poetry Out Loud Competition show off their awards. Left to Right: Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) Executive Director David Lewis, competition winner Malisha Taylor from Pascagoula High School (Pascagoula-Gautier School District); first runner-up Tommy Nichol from Oxford High School (Oxford School District); and Sanika Janorkar from Rosa Scott High School (Madison County School District)

eled outside of Mississippi twice,” Taylor said This will be her first time traveling to D C She said she is excited to represent the state of Mississippi on the national stage

Eight high school students from schools and organizations across the state participated in the Poetry Out Loud state finals, which took place at Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) in Jackson in March� MPB recorded the competition and will air it on MPB Television at 7:30 p�m� Friday, April 26, and at 4:30 p�m� Sunday, April 28

During the broadcast, viewers will hear directly from the students about their journey through the Poetry Out Loud program Tommy Nichol, a junior at Oxford High School (Oxford

School District), was the first runner-up, and Sanika Janorkar, a freshman at Rosa Scott High School (Madison County School District), was the second runner-up

The guest judges included:

• C Liegh McInnis, poet, short story writer and author

• Stacey Nycole Vincent Howell, theatre educator and former Mississippi Poetry Out Loud Regional Mentor

• Diane Williams, author, performing artist, storyteller, teaching artist, speaker, consultant and mixed-media fiber artist

• Danielle Littlefield, MFA, assistant professor of Creative Writing at Jackson State University

• Jason Thompson, principal at Mississippi-based marketing and communications firm Fahrenheit Creative Group, LLC

The event was presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country

Malisha Taylor holds her winner’s plaque alongside MAC Executive Director David Lewis. Malisha Taylor

Nearly 85% of Mississippi 3rd Graders Pass Reading Assessment for 2022-2023 School Year

After final retests for the 20222023 school year, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) discovered 84 9% of 3rd graders passed the 3rd-grade reading assessment

The 2023 final pass rate is nearly the same as the final pass rate in 2022 (85 0%) and 2019 (85 6%)

Due to the pandemic, the assessment was canceled in 2020, and the passing requirement was waived in 2021

Final district-level pass rates are published in the Literacy-Based Promotion Act Annual Report of Performance and Student Reten -

tion for the 2022-2023 school year Students are provided with three attempts to pass the test Though the 2023 final pass rate was nearly identical to previous years, the initial pass rate increased to an alltime high of 76 3% since the passing score was raised in 2019

The Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA) enacted in 2013 was created to help ensure kindergarten through 3rd-grade students develop good reading skills The law was amended in 2016 and requires all Mississippi 3rd-grade public school students to score at level 3

or higher on the reading portion of the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program English Language Arts (MAAP-ELA) test to qualify to be promoted to 4th grade

Good cause exemptions apply to certain students with disabilities, students learning English or students who have been previously retained Local school districts determine which students who did not pass qualify for an exemption for promotion to 4th grade Districts also consider their local promotion and retention policies for making determinations

The LBPA takes a comprehensive approach to building the capacity of teachers and school leaders to effectively teach reading and implement an ongoing system to monitor student progress The law enables the MDE to deploy literacy coaches to schools where data show students struggle the most with reading Coaches work directly with teachers and administrators to help them become

more effective teachers of reading In addition, the MDE provides professional development related to teaching reading to teachers, school administrators and faculty in teacher preparation programs

“It is encouraging that 3rd graders have maintained their pre-pandemic achievement levels Now is the time to continue our focus on building literacy skills from pre-K through 3rd grade and beyond,” said

Raymond Morgigno, Ph�D�, interim state superintendent of education

“Students need strong reading skills to perform well in every subject MDE will continue to provide professional learning opportunities for educators grounded in the science of reading to help all students be successful ”

Families can visit strongreadersms com for resources to help children build reading skills at home

VWSD Music Teacher Recognized

Cody Nelson — the maestro behind Vicksburg’s Academy of Innovation choir (Vicksburg Warren School District) — was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Young Music Educators Award by the Mississippi Music Educators Association and the Mississippi American Choral Directors Association in January.

Mississippi’s 2022-2023

Graduation Rate Marks All-Time

High, Dropout Rate Falls

The 2022-2023 school year graduation and dropout rates show an all-time high 89 4% graduation rate and a dropout rate that decreased to 8 5%

Rates are based on students who entered ninth grade for the first time during the 2019-2020 school year Among students with disabilities, the graduation rate increased to 70%, and the dropout rate decreased to 17 7%

The Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE’s) latest figures mark a continuing trend for Mississippi’s public school students

The statewide graduation rate was 74 5% in 2013 and has increased annually� The rate does not include students who earned a GED or a certificate of completion

Pandemic disruptions affected the graduation rate in recent years Due to COVID-19, passing requirements were waived for high school end-of-year assessments in Algebra I, English II, Biology and U S History in 2020-2021 The waivers have had a positive impact on the graduation rate, but that impact should diminish for the 2023-2024 school year

Mississippi’s graduation rate exceeds the latest U S rate of 86 5% from 2019-2020 reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) �

The statewide dropout has decreased from 13 9% in 2013 The current dropout rate figures reflect

Mississippi’s Graduation Rate

Mississippi’s Dropout Rate

a 5% decrease from 2021-2022 and a 1 6% decrease among students with disabilities

“The hard work of students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators across Mississippi continues to produce outstanding outcomes,” said Raymond Morgigno, Ph D , interim state superin -

tendent of education “The MDE is proud of our students’ continued achievements and remains committed to ensuring all students graduate ready for college and career success ”

View the 2023 Graduation Rate Report at mdek12�org/OPR/Reporting/ Accountability/2024

MES Students Win Coding Competition

McWillie Elementary School (MES, Jackson Public Schools) students placed first in the Computer Science Wonder Coding Robotic Competition at the Mississippi

Children’s Museum in March The MES scholars practiced once a week after school to prepare for the competition, learning problem-solving, collaborating and strategizing to complete the three required tasks of the competition� Sixteen teams from all over the state competed The group is facilitated by Sara Burris�

Pictured, left to right: Henry Goodwin, Roman Farris, Eleanor McGuffey and Kelly Cloyd

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

New Yearly Competition Awaits Mississippi’s Polymer Science Students

By Nathan King

The 2024 Polymer Science competition, a Technology Student Association (TSA)-sponsored event, was hosted by the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in January

It was planned and organized by James Rawlins, USM professor of polymer science and engineering; Donna Roberts, USM administrative assistant, former high school polymer science teacher; Thames Rawlins Research Group and Wiggins Research

Group; and Mississippi’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School Polymer Science teachers

In addition to this event, the high school teachers meet bi-annually with USM faculty and staff to plan upcoming competitions and to discuss the latest Polymer Science and Engineering industry developments Their high school students were given the opportunity to tour the campus as they competed at multiple USM campus locations, including Scianna Hall, the Shelby F Thames Polymer Science Research Center, the USM Innovation

and Commercialization Park and the Accelerator building

USM President Joseph S Paul spoke to the students, giving them a warm welcome to the Hattiesburg campus Paul commended the students for their participation, encouraged them to have fun and challenged them to continue to strive for excellence

The first day featured a chemistry of polymers exam, a laboratory practicum, a tour of the research facility and a demonstration of luminescent paint During the practicum, students wore laboratory personal

protective equipment (PPE) Their experiments were observed by a team of judges comprised of USM researchers and professors

The students’ research posters that presented polymer science-based discoveries and connected to an assortment of professional fields also were judged� Some research topics included treatments for genetic mutations affecting collagen production, nanomedicine applications, recyclable materials for eye glass frames, medical devices using bioabsorbable polymers and other polymer science topics

The second day involved an overview of the USM program, a discussion of polymer science topics with Rawlins, a tour of the Accelerator building and a challenge requiring teams of students to construct a scaled-down bridge using polymer-based materials, including dry pasta and hot melt adhesive� The students watched with anticipation as each bridge’s structural load-bearing capacity was tested by enduring substantial weight

As day two concluded, Rawlins presented awards to students who excelled in each competitive event

When asked what advice he had for Mississippi’s polymer science high school students, Rawlins said, “Continue to rise to whatever challenges are in front of you� Don’t ignore them and put them off Rise to those challenges You will keep improving and you will find that those challenges become so much fun to solve as you continue Also, don’t fear failure ”

He mentioned that his “Most impactful early influence was Bob Pursley, a high school teacher and retired engineer Pursley taught Rawlins and his classmates chemistry organic chemistry, calculus, differential equations and physics ”

“There were 14 students in our group,” Pursley said “Four of us went on to receive our Ph D s Everyone in

Opposite page: The 2024 participants of the Mississippi Technology Student Association’s (TSA’s) Polymer Science competition at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) are pictured with USM President Joseph S. Paul. Above: Students displayed research posters they created to demonstrate their polymer science research. The posters were judged as part of the competition.

that class graduated from college with a STEM-related degree except for one who attained a successful communications and business career�”

Mississippi State University’s Research and Curriculum Unit Director Betsey Smith praised these efforts, saying, “Partnership with our institutes of higher learning regarding student organization events and curriculum development is important for sustainability and alignment with Mississippi’s workforce� USM’s School of Polymer Science and Engineering invests in the future of our CTE programs and students ”

In terms of curriculum development, the newly revised CTE polymer science curriculum was facilitated by the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) Director Monica Tisack and amended with the help of Caitlyne Shirley, MPI business development manager

Additionally, the polymer science curriculum revision team was honored to have the technical input of James Rawlins and Donna Roberts of the USM School of Polymer Science and Engineering, as well as Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composites Institute (ACI) Director Christopher Bounds and Associate Director Wayne Huberty

Mississippi is the only state in the

Dwaine Braasch, Polymer science student competitors receive instructions for an activity.

Above: Student teams from Brookhaven High School (instructed by Leanne Peavey), Hancock County Career and Technical Center (instructed by Tammie Bland), Hattiesburg High School (instructed by James Brownlow), Pascagoula-Gautier College and Career Technical Institute (instructed by Toben Dubose) and Petal High School (instructed by Krystin Holmes) pose with the bridges they built using common household items during the TSA’s 2024 Polymer Science Competition held at USM in January.

nation that offers high school-level CTE polymer science programs Those programs and teachers are Brookhaven High School’s Leah Ann Peavey; Hancock County Career Technical Center’s Tammie Bland; Hattiesburg High School’s James Brownlow; Pascagoula-Gautier College and Career Technical Institute’s Toben Dubose; and Petal High School’s Krystin Holmes Holmes, the RCU New Teacher Induction (NTI) program polymer science methods trainer, prepares prospective teachers for this two-year high school CTE course

program-specific knowledge�”

“A major benefit of our ongoing relationship with other polymer science student groups is that they can develop and demonstrate important soft

tion,“Hands-on activities are an effective teaching tool My students enjoy learning the science of making silly putty, bouncy balls, pottery, etc ”

“This event has given them an understanding of how polymers are used both industrially and experimentally They have access to professionals that can answer tough career choice questions,” she said

There were fourteen students in our group, Four of us went on to receive our PhDs. Everyone in that class graduated from college with a STEM-related degree except for one who attained a successful communications and business career.

-Bob Pursley, Teacher and Retired Engineer

When asked about this competition, Peavey said, “As high school Polymer Science teachers, we are fortunate to have the constant support of USM’s School of Polymer Science and Engineering Our yearly competition is designed to provide students with opportunities to apply

skills,” Peavey said “This competitive event is challenging and thrilling to our students It takes hours of preparation for students to best represent themselves and their school ”

Tammie Bland said of the competi-

All agree that the 2024 polymer science competitive event was a great success� The teachers and USM faculty said this event culminated in an exhibition of the students’ hard work from throughout the school year

Instructors and faculty who participated this year look forward to next year’s event as they train and cheer on Mississippi’s future STEM-related professionals

NHS Creates Excitement to Styling Work Wardrobes

Top left: Natchez High School Senior Jacari Jackson. Top middle: Natchez High School Senior Natiyah Letcher. Top right: Natchez High School Senior Janai Williams. Below: The Natchez High School Fashion Show was a group effort.

Jackson, Emanuel Jones, Duncan Borges, Collins Jasper, IV, and Preston Jackson. Front row left to right: Natchez-Adams School District Fifth-grader Ashton James and Preschooler Darrian Mazique.

Natchez High School hosted a Fashion Show in November to showcase professional attire in the workplace and to prepare Senior students for the workforce

Career Coach Faith Lewis chaired

this event Her committee members were fellow Career Coach Angela James, the NHS Counselors, Tywana Stewart, Iris Myles, Rhonda Searcy and Nakita Frye

The event was made possible by

community sponsors and donors, including the Natchez WIN Job Center, Miss Lou Champions, Eckwanise Fields, Cassandra Gales, Angela James, Tony Heidelberg, Byron Jolla and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

Top left: Natchez-Adams School District Preschooler Ri’Leigh Myles. Top middle: Natchez-Adams School District students of all ages line up for the show. Top right: Natchez-Adams School District Preschooler Saylor Owens. Below: Back row left to right: Natchez High School Seniors Jacari

MDE Launches, ‘Know Your Child’s Reading Score,’ Campaign to Assist K-3 Parents Guardians

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is launching a new campaign called, “Know Your Child’s Reading Score,” in an effort for parents and guardians of kindergarten through third-grade students to be informed of their child’s reading ability and the accompanying support offered by school districts and schools

The Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA) requires school districts to assess the reading skills of students in kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade (K-3) at the beginning, middle and end of every school year Schools administer screeners to determine each student’s reading ability; ev-

ery student is scored by each screener

If the score indicates a student may be at risk of having a substantial deficiency in reading, the LBPA requires school districts to provide written notification to parents and guardians until the deficiency is remediated� The written notification is provided in what MDE refers to as literacy screener letters

“All parents should be notified of their K-3 students’ scores, but literacy screener letters are only sent when a student’s score shows a child is not reading on grade level,” said Kristen Wynn, MDE’s state literacy director

“With this campaign, we want

parents and guardians to know they should receive this information from teachers Once they have this information, teachers and parents work together to ensure students receive the necessary support to improve their reading skills ”

If a student is not reading on grade level, the LBPA requires an individual reading plan be created and teacher-parent meetings occur to help students succeed in reading

Visit the new Know Your Child’s Reading Score website at strongreadersms com/ reading-score/ to get more information on screener letters and parental resources

RCSD Students Pursue an Underground Adventure in Alabama

Students from Stonebridge Elementary School (Rankin County School District) visited Majestic Caverns (formerly DeSoto Caverns) in Childersburg, Alabama, in February The students were able to tour the caverns, traverse a maze and pan for gems, among other activities

Stonebridge Elementary students (Rankin County School District) enjoy the lights inside the cavern.

The students from Stonebridge pan for gems at Majestic Caverns in Childersburg, Alabama.

Stonebridge Elementary students pose for a group photo inside the cavern.

The Statewide Conference that Builds a Bridge Between General and Special Education Going All In All Over

By Emma O’Bryant

Across Mississippi, educators work hard in every public school to ensure special education students receive general education classroom experience and social-emotional learning opportunities alongside their peers It’s only natural that some schools find it difficult to bridge the gap between the general and special education programs at times

The biggest difficulty schools

have in these programs is getting general education and special education teachers to “Have a shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each when working with students with disabilities,” said Amy Pinkerton, lead professional development coordinator at Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and an integral leader in the state’s special education programs

How then can these schools build a bridge between general and

special education in a way that benefits all students? The “All Teachers, All In,” conference is one step the MDE is taking toward accomplishing this goal

According to Pinkerton, last year’s conference hosted 750+ general and special education teachers The 2023 conference was the second year the event took place, and the number of attendees grew substantially from the previous year As the conference continues to grow, the impact on

special education programs in the state is expected to further thrive

The conference was held in multiple cities across Mississippi, making certain that no communities would be untouched by their initiative Some of these cities included Cleveland, Tupelo, Meridian and Biloxi The events were held in October and spanned over the course of a single day, packing in vast amounts of information and instructions for teachers to utilize

Megan Hodge, MDE’s science professional development coordinator who also played a substantial role in the conference, said, “The teachers that attended enjoyed their sessions

and were able to take back a few things to their classrooms ”

The conference sessions offer many options that cover a wide range of information Some of these include co-planning, co-teaching, problem-solving and science of reading, among others

One of the most innovative, yet simple parts of these sessions is access to learning from other instructors attending or presenting at the conference� “We spent hours collaborating as pairs on each session and met with the whole group to provide feedback,” Hodge said�

This format allows teachers to express their needs or misunder-

standings to other attendees, which opens conversations about the areas where school districts can improve

Of course, the main topic of conversation is how general and special education teachers can work together to become better equipped to teach special education students

As instructor of multiple sessions, Pinkerton believes “Bringing everyone to the table to have these pointed conversations about the roles and responsibilities of both special and general education teachers is the starting point for improving instructional practices for all students�”

The breakout sessions were designed to highlight “Special and gen-

Left to right: Christy Hunt and Erin Hendrix.

Left to right: Megan Hodge and Noleen Hunt.

A group of educators stop for a photo at the All Teachers, All In Conference.

eral education high-leverage practices that each teacher can use in his or her role to provide equitable education for all students,” said Pinkerton

This is ultimately the goal of the conference, and it appears readily attainable Teachers and schools across the state have been positively affected by the conference and its purpose, and students, both special and general, are reaping the benefits

Laquita Moore, lead implementation specialist for special education who also helped to organize the conference said, “The conference was a hit� We have gotten positive feedback from all across the state, so much so that we have been asked to present a mini version of the conference this spring ”

Teachers and schools across the state have been positively affected

by the purpose of the conference, and the students, both Special and General, are reaping the benefits

In order to achieve improved environments for students, the conference prioritizes creating a harmonious relationship between the general and special education instructors This is a vital part of the success of the event

Pinkerton said, “At the All Teachers, All In conference, we wanted to help participants see what each professional brings to the table and that if they work together with that shared understanding, many more students will thrive in the classroom ”

What the All Teachers, All In conference certainly gets right is appealing to teachers’ joint passion for helping students and creating the best environment for them This

desired environment allows special education students to obtain a more well-rounded academic experience

The passionate team at MDE dedicate months of hard work to making sure their goals are met through the conference Mississippi teachers have dedicated their careers to education and their students, and this is evident in the atmosphere of the conference “The atmosphere was electric

The team was excited to present to a group of general and special education teachers to share their knowledge of high-leverage practices and strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners,” said Moore�

The All Teachers, All In conference is free, making the event’s learning opportunities highly accessible by all teachers

New Site High School, Vancleave Lower Elementary named 2023 National ESEA Distinguished Schools

New Site High School (Prentiss County School District) and Vancleave Lower Elementary School (Jackson County School District) are among 65 schools nationwide named 2023 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools for the extraordinary success of their students

The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) — formerly the National Title I Association — has selected examples of superior, federally funded schools for national recognition through the National ESEA

Distinguished Schools program since 1996 The program has annually acknowledged the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories:

• Exceptional student performance and academic growth

• Closing the achievement gap between student groups

• Excellence in serving special populations of students (e g homeless, migrant, English learners, etc�)

New Site High School received the

recognition for exceptional student performance for two consecutive years, and Vancleave Lower Elementary School received the recognition for closing the achievement gap between student groups�

NAESPA implemented the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program to highlight selected schools that have effectively used their ESEA federal funds to improve student education outcomes

The 2023 National ESEA Distinguished Schools were honored in February at the 2024 National ESEA Conference

Greenville Students Attend Youth Summit

The Greenville Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC) participated in the 2024 Mississippi Municipal League Youth Summit at Mississippi State University (MSU) in March The MYC students had the opportunity to tour MSU and asked plenty of questions about college life and the MSU student experience

In addition, the Greenville MYC students interacted with MYC stu-

dents from other parts of the state, providing them the opportunity to make new acquaintances while learning about other programs Students also participated in breakout sessions and listened to panel discussions to improve their leadership skills

Mayor Errick D Simmons expressed gratitude to students, parents, mayor’s office staff, drivers, the Mississippi Municipal League and

MSU for coming together to create a successful educational opportunity

Greenville MYC’s excursion was sponsored by Manchac, Southern Bancorp, Councilman Al Brock, Councilwoman Lois Hawkins, Councilman Vernon Greenlee, Councilwoman Lurann Thomas-Kingdom, Councilman Bill Brozovich, Councilman James Wilson, Iris McGee and the Greenville Corvette Club

Greenville Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC) showed their town pride with a display at the 2024 Mississippi Municipal League Youth Summit.

The Greenville MYC students pose for a photo in matching attire at the 2024 Mississippi Municipal League Youth Summit.

A stop on the tour of Mississippi State University’s (MSU’s) campus provided a photo opportunity for Greenville MYC students.

Greenville MYC poses for another photo before ending their day at MSU.

HHS Students Participate in Oratory Contest

In February, Hattiesburg High School senior Gabby Cox won the inaugural Martin Luther King, Jr , Oratory Contest sponsored by Joyce Bailey and the Love Angel Scholarship Foundation

Pictured from left to right are Gabby Cox, Sydney Smith, Diego Sosa and Asia Anderson.