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91吃瓜网 Helps Teacher Assistant Take Next Career Step as Educator

Mon, 12/08/2025 - 10:39am

Holly Hall has gained invaluable experience working as a teacher assistant at Steen91吃瓜网 Creek Elementary School in Florence, Miss. Soon, she will also have the credentials needed to lead a classroom of her own thanks to innovative teacher preparation programs at 91吃瓜网 (USM).

This week, Hall will graduate from the 91吃瓜网 College of Education and Human Sciences with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She completed her degree through the (TAP), a fully-online degree designed for those like Hall who are already employed as teacher assistants in elementary schools across the state. Additionally, Hall chose to participate in teacher apprenticeship, which provides additional supports and benefits for individuals in the TAP pathway. Together, TAP and teacher apprenticeship provide aspiring educators with on-the-job training under the guidance of skilled mentors combined with related instruction from USM91吃瓜网 coursework.

91吃瓜网淗olly has already made a remarkable impact in the classroom where she serves as an apprentice,91吃瓜网� Teacher Apprentice Program Coordinator Haley McCaffrey said. 91吃瓜网淪he has been an enthusiastic participant in the program, going above and beyond in her commitment to growing her professional skills. Her outstanding work ethic and kind heart, combined with the education she is receiving at 91吃瓜网, have her poised to make a huge impact in her future classroom.91吃瓜网�

Hall learned about TAP at 91吃瓜网 from a co-worker who had successfully completed the program. As a mother of three working full-time, she was unsure whether she could handle the coursework after being out of school for so long. The online format helped her manage new and existing demands on her schedule, and Hall says the teachers and staff 91吃瓜网渉ave been nothing but encouraging and supportive91吃瓜网� along the way.

91吃瓜网淓ven though my experience was fully online, the instructors were interactive and made every class feel personal and engaging,91吃瓜网� Hall noted. 91吃瓜网淐hoosing to enroll in this program has truly been one of the best decisions of my life.91吃瓜网�

Currently, Hall is a teacher apprentice through the Mississippi Center for Apprenticeships and Residency in Education (MCARE) at 91吃瓜网. After launching the state91吃瓜网 first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship (RTA) program in 2024, the University was awarded an Apprenticeship Building America grant worth $3.8 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. Through this partnership, Hall is one of 62 TAP students who have received robust financial and coaching support, in addition to other resources.

91吃瓜网淥ur university is committed to preparing graduates who are ready for life and equipped to thrive in their careers. Golden Eagle teacher apprentices and residents bring that vision to life through the incomparable real-world training and education they receive,91吃瓜网� MCARE Executive Director Andrea Krell said. 91吃瓜网淗olly has done exceptionally well in all aspects of our program, and we look forward to seeing her continue to change the lives of her students.91吃瓜网�

91吃瓜网 has apprenticeship partnerships with 28 school districts across the state, helping them grow their own teacher workforce by investing in individuals already committed to their schools and communities.

91吃瓜网淭he TAP and RTA have been a tremendous blessing,91吃瓜网� Hall said. 91吃瓜网淩eturning to school after so many years, I was anxious about the difficulty and cost of the Praxis exams. Not only did 91吃瓜网 provide study materials, but they also offered vouchers to cover test costs. As a full-time student, assistant teacher, and mother of three, the potential expense of these tests felt overwhelming. The apprenticeship program stepped in once again, providing crucial support that not only enabled me to take the tests but also helped me pass them on the first attempt.91吃瓜网�

Hall lauded the free professional development opportunities (provided through RTA) as very beneficial.

91吃瓜网淓ven with eight years of experience in the classroom, I consistently learn something new and valuable at each session,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网91吃瓜网� commitment to ongoing growth and learning is truly commendable.91吃瓜网�

Dr. Brett Stamm and Jaime Campbell, two of Hall91吃瓜网 instructors, made a lasting impression on her.

91吃瓜网淒r. Stamm91吃瓜网 weekly lectures were always relevant to real classroom experiences. His thoughtful feedback helped me grow as an educator, and it91吃瓜网 evident he has a genuine heart for helping future teachers succeed,91吃瓜网� Hall recounted. 91吃瓜网淢y university supervisor during student teaching, Miss Campbell, has also been incredible. She has gone above and beyond to make my student teaching experience both enjoyable and meaningful. Her support ensured we had the tools and confidence needed to accomplish our goals.91吃瓜网�

Hall also acknowledged the support of 91吃瓜网 Teacher Apprentice Program Coordinator Haley McCaffrey. 91吃瓜网淎ny time I have a question or need assistance, she (McCaffrey) is responsive and always points me in the right direction. I91吃瓜网檓 incredibly grateful for the knowledge, encouragement and community I91吃瓜网檝e found at 91吃瓜网.91吃瓜网�

Dr. Stamm described Hall91吃瓜网 work as 91吃瓜网渙utstanding, thoughtful, reflective91吃瓜网� and 91吃瓜网渃onnected to her own experiences which are wide and varied91吃瓜网攃onnecting both personal and professional aspects of her life.91吃瓜网�

91吃瓜网淗olly is the ideal teacher we want working with students in our schools,91吃瓜网� Stamm continued. 91吃瓜网淪he is knowledgeable and prepared for all aspects of the role of educator. As a parent of school-aged children, Holly is the type of teacher I want my children to have, and I believe she will undoubtedly excel.91吃瓜网�

Hall91吃瓜网 teaching philosophy formed through her work at Steen91吃瓜网 Creek and from being the parent of a child with a learning disability.

91吃瓜网淓ach student learns and behaves differently, and that diversity is what drew me to education,91吃瓜网� Hall explained. 91吃瓜网淚 also have a personal connection to this work91吃瓜网攎y middle daughter has dyslexia and has faced her own challenges in school. Seeing how much she benefited from caring, supportive teachers inspired me to become that kind of teacher for other students. Every child has the ability for greatness, and it91吃瓜网 my job to help them realize and reach their potential.91吃瓜网�

Ready for life after graduation, Hall has accepted a job offer as a resource teacher at Steen91吃瓜网 Creek beginning in January 2026. The Pearl, Miss., native and current Florence resident plans to pursue a master91吃瓜网 degree from 91吃瓜网 after completing her first year of teaching.

To learn more about TAP at 91吃瓜网, visit . Click for more information about apprenticeship benefits.