The Teacher Education Department at Mississippi Valley State University recently held its first-ever virtual meet and greet. Acting Department Chairperson Dr. Theresa Dumas, Dr. Jeanne Dubard, and Mr. Daryl Gates spearheaded the event.
This meet and greet provided vital information for current, new, and prospective students regarding the Department's functions and requirements for successful matriculation in their respective programs. It also provided a networking forum to connect junior and senior education majors with potential employers.
The attendees participated via the Zoom meeting platform, with 91 people attending, including MVSU faculty, students, and guests.
Guests included Shekeya Johnson and high school students from Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated School District (GLCSD), Shrere'Vere Walker, a Delta State University graduate, and Talent Acquisition Specialist for Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colorado, Dr. Carlton Jenkins, a 1989 MVSU Graduate and the first African American Superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) in Madison, Wisc., and Tracey Carradine, a Senior Executive Director of Human Resources in the MMSD.
Dr. Dumas opened the event with greetings and introduced the Teacher Education faculty and Director of the Institute for Effective Teaching Practices. Dr. Kalanya Moore, Coordinator of Elementary and Secondary Education; Dr. Teresa Banks, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education; and Dr. MariKay Wilson, Coordinator for the Student Advisement Center, provided a detailed overview of each program. Dr. Dumas provided an overview of the Master of Art in Teaching Program.
Each guest began by describing their school district and highlighting resources and opportunities offered to MVSU students. Next, Dr. Jenkins reminisced about his life as a Mississippi Valley State University student.
"I came to Valley unprepared and left Valley prepared. Once you graduate from Valley, you can go anywhere and do well," Dr. Jenkins said.
He stressed that his professors at Mississippi Valley State University advised him and encouraged him to make better decisions to achieve his current life. Finally, Dr. Jenkins gave an overview of the MMSD and his desire to partner with MVSU.
MMSD was ranked as "Exceeds Expectations" according to the latest School Report Card from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. One standard connection between MMSD and the Reading faculty at MVSU is that both utilize the Science of Reading which includes Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS).
Dr. Jenkins committed to offering MVSU students a hiring contract even before completing their academic program. To be eligible for such a contract, students must meet the requirements for graduation from MVSU and the hiring requirements of the MMSD.
He also discussed the availability of resources/benefits for interested potential employees. The Madison Metropolitan School District currently has 52 schools, 27,000 students, and 2760 teachers.
Walker also shared her background experiences as a former resident of the Mississippi Delta. She included tidbits about growing up in the Mississippi Delta region in Jonestown, MS, and becoming an educator. She conveyed her passion for teaching and her desire to help students become successful.
Walker provided information about resources that are available in her school district, such as the Affinity Group for Educators of Color, Jeffco School District Teacher Induction Program, employment opportunities, mentorship for employees, scholarships for students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities, workshops for creating cover letters and resumes, feedback after the construction of their cover letter and resume, interviewing tips, Praxis preparation, career fairs, networking, mock interviews, being hired for their first positions and the hiring process from the human resource perspective. All services mentioned are free of charge. Jeffco County School District has 155 schools, 15,000 employees, and 85,000 students.
Students from the GLCSD toured the Teacher Education Department before the Virtual Meet and Greet.
"During their tour, the students were able to meet some of the faculty and the Coordinator of the Institute for Effective Teaching Practices and were invited to attend the upcoming Virtual Meet and Greet," said Dr. Dumas.
Johnson commended the Teacher Education Department for hosting the event.
"The information given by the department was beneficial to the students who were excited about the meet and greet," said Johnson.
Students ended the event by participating in a question-and-answer session and took advantage of the presenters' information in the chat.
"Most students gave the presentation the highest rating possible. The rating was (1-5), with five highest and one the lowest. The faculty was thrilled, and we are planning the next event. The presenters and others have also requested to participate in the next meeting," said Dumas.