Brandon High School Teacher Academy 

Partners: School, district and university leaders and educators, business representatives 

Students impacted: 1,700
Volunteers: 12
Duration of partnership: 1 year 

The Teacher Academy was created to address the state’s teacher shortage by having guest speakers talk to students and emphasize the importance of teaching careers. In-house guest speakers were Principal Bryan Marshall, Assistant Principal Russ Granberry, Head Counselor Shea Carter, and Librarian Chelsea Thomas; in-district speakers were Lacey Kuyrkendall, Rouse Elementary principal, Angela Nichols, Stonebridge Elementary principal, Vallerie Lacey, Brandon Elementary principal, Sheri Blankenship, literacy specialist; and Rhonda Kilgo, math specialist. Special guest speakers included Ole Miss education professors Dr. Nichelle Robinson and Dr. Susan McClelland, Delta State education professor Dori Bullock, and business representatives Steven Bailey and Jake Wimberly.

Activities:

• Presentation topics tie in with students’ coursework
• Program demonstrates value of community partnerships

Impacts:

• 25 students enrolled in Academy, up from 17 last year
• 100% of first-year students re-enrolled