M ississippi E xcellence in T eaching P rogram T he U niversity of M ississippi
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@OleMissMETP
About The Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program (METP) is an all-inclusive scholarship designed for the nation’s topperforming students who want to become teachers. Founded in January 2013 with a $12.95 million grant from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, the program’s goal is to recruit outstanding high school graduates to become secondary English and mathematics teachers in Mississippi. A joint effort between the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss, and Mississippi State University, METP’s unique design allows all recruits, or fellows, to receive a dynamic college experience where they will learn from expert faculty, study abroad and more.
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Meg Besaw From: Madison, Ala. James Clemens High School
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Major: English Education “METP for me is a way to culture my passion. From my years at Ole Miss I hope to bring with me my experiences with friends, classmates, and faculty to better connect to my students and fellow educators.�
Oxford & Ole Miss Home to The University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss, Oxford is a picturesque small town acclaimed for its arts, cuisine, culture and Southern charm by leading publications including Southern Living, Garden & Gun and The New York Times. At the heart of town, the Square is home to dining, shopping, nightlife and more. As the state’s flagship university, Ole Miss is known as one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation and home to some of the leading teams in the SEC.
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Who Should Apply? Admissions are based on academic achievement, service and passion for teaching. Competitive applicants are expected to have an ACT composite score of 28 or SAT composite score of 1250 (not including writing scores) and a high school GPA of at least 3.5. Application materials include: • ACT and/or SAT scores • High school transcripts • Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement (200 words) • Application essays (500 to 700 words)
Shevanti Retnam From: Oxford, Miss. Sri Kuala Lumpur School
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Major: English Education “So many great teachers had an enormous influence on me and I would like to do the same for others.�
Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Due to the program’s high standards, all METP fellows possess the credentials to be competitive for admission into UM’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Founded in 1997 through a gift from alumni Jim and Sally Barksdale, the SMBHC prepares citizen scholars who are committed to the public good and driven to find solutions. Currently, the SMBHC is home to more than 1,100 undergraduates from schools and departments across the university. To be considered for admission to the SMBHC, prospects must submit the Honors College portion of the Special Programs and Scholarship application by January 5. The Honors College provides: • Smaller class sizes (usually 15-20 students) • 24-hour access to the SMBHC study rooms, computer lab and social space
• Access to fellowships to support study abroad, internships or conferences • Priority registration
• Honors housing on campus For more information about the SMBHC, visit www.honors.olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7294.
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Alex Battaglia From: Bel Air, Md. Milton Wright High School
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Major: Mathematics Education “METP means that I will learn from the best which will in turn make me the best teacher I can be.�
Program Benefits METP offers an all-inclusive college experience for up to four years, making it one of the most valuable scholarships in the nation. In addition to full tuition, METP fellows receive: • Annual housing and dining stipends (off campus options after freshman year) • A $1,000 technology stipend • A $6,000 study abroad experience • Funding to attend national conferences
Cross-Campus Learning Each semester, all METP fellows from Ole Miss and MSU gather for cross-campus learning activities. Fellows from both programs will meet one another and have the opportunity to learn from expert faculty at both institutions.
Study Abroad Each summer, METP takes its juniors to study education abroad and gain a multicultural perspective on educational issues as a group. Additionally, fellows will acquire domestic field experiences, allowing them to observe leading educators in the field.
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Allison Herman From: Niceville, Fla. Niceville Senior High School
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Major: Mathematics Education “In high school my mathematics class was my favorite hour of the day and I enjoyed helping my classmates. This fueled my interest to become a teacher.�
Dual Degree Options Mathematics education majors have the option to simultaneously earn a B.A.Ed. from the School of Education and a B.A. or B.S. in math from the College of Liberal Arts. Other dual-degree options can be arranged, and fellows should discuss this option with their adviser before the end of freshman year.
Teaching Endorsements There are multiple teaching endorsement options for fellows seeking additional specializations including: Science Education, Special Education, Social Studies and Modern Languages.
Service Agreement Each graduate makes a five-year commitment to teach at a Mississippi public school after graduation. However, this commitment may be deferred for an approved amount of time if a graduate wishes to pursue an advanced degree following his or her undergraduate studies. Those who cannot complete their teaching commitment must repay a proportional amount of funding received while in the program.
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Program Faculty & Staff
Dr. David Rock Dean, School of Education Ed.D., University of Central Florida Expertise: Mathematics Education
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Dr. Ryan Niemeyer Director, METP at UM Ph.D., The University of Mississippi Expertise: Educational Law and Leadership
Dr. Susan McClelland Chair, Department of Teacher Education Ph.D., The University of Mississippi Expertise: Educational Leadership
Dr. Allan Bellman Associate Professor of Mathematics Education Ph.D., University of California, Davis Expertise: Mathematics Education
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Dr. Rosemary Oliphant-Ingham Professor of English Education Ed.D., University of Houston Expertise: English Education
Blake Adams Program Assistant B.A., The University of Mississippi Expertise: Recruitment
David Hamidy From: Alpharetta, Ga. Fideles Christian School
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Majors: English Education “I want to be a teacher because I believe the greatest goal worth striving for is helping others.�
2015 Incoming Class Profile Average ACT: 29 10 English Education Fellows 6 Mathematics Education Fellows 9 States Represented: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas
Program at a Glance 46 Fellows Total Representing 13 States 29 English Education Fellows 17 Mathematics Education Fellows Average ACT: 28.9
2016 Priority Deadline: January 5 METP.org