Stateâs largest professional educators organization awards scholarships to ±«Óătvgraduate students
Four students enrolled in graduate programs at Mississippi College have received $1,000 scholarships from , the state’s largest and premier organization for professional educators.
As full-time educators in the state of Mississippi, MPE members Lyndsay Franklin of Brandon, Austin King of Flowood, Lisa Pollard of Mathiston, and Danielle Whittington of Columbia, were each awarded the graduate scholarships.
A fourth- and fifth-grade special education teacher at Northshore Elementary, Franklin has a Bachelor of Science degree in special education from Mississippi College. A member of MPE since 2019, she is pursuing a Master’s in dyslexia therapy at MC.
“I have been a special education teacher for 16 years and am ready for the next step in my career,” Franklin said. “I had heard nothing but wonderful things about MC’s dyslexia therapy program and knew that it would only make me a better teacher and also provide me further options for employment for when I choose to leave the classroom.”
Originally from Waynesboro, King is a government teacher and assistant softball coach at Northwest Rankin High School. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies from Mississippi College. A member of MPE since 2020, he is pursuing a Master of Education in educational leadership at MC.
“Mississippi College does an excellent job of equipping its students for success,” King said. “I know several teachers who have completed this program and have spoken highly of its quality, making it the best choice for both my personal and professional goals.”
A pre-kindergarten teacher at Ackerman Elementary School, Pollard has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University. She is pursuing a Master’s in educational leadership at MC.
“I have worked in the classroom with students for several years and mentored beginning teachers within my school,” Pollard said. “I felt leadership would further my career and give me another chance as an educator to impact the students and teachers within my school. I selected Mississippi College because several colleagues spoke highly about its education program. The cost of classes was inexpensive compared to most other colleges.”
Whittington is a third-through-fifth grade literacy coach and project-based learning-with-art-integration teacher at Columbia Elementary. A National Board-Certified Teacher, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University, her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Mississippi, and her specialist degree in educational leadership administration K-12 from Mississippi College. A member of MPE since 2015, she is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at MC.
“After I obtained my specialist in administration from MC, I chose to continue my association with the university and pursue my doctorate,” Whittington said. “The online options make this feasible for working educators and I am grateful for the preparation and small class sizes.
“Last year, I was chosen as the recipient of the Teacher Education Leadership Faculty Award at Mississippi College and I hope that I am continuing to make ±«Óătvproud.”
Founded in 1979, MPE serves approximately 12,000 teachers, administrators and support personnel in pre-K through graduate education in both public and private institutions. The organization’s purpose is to promote better education for the children of Mississippi.
To learn more about available online programs in Teacher Education and Leadership at Mississippi College, visit mc.edu/academics/departments/education/online-programs.
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