Statewide professional educators organization awards scholarships to MC students
Four Mississippi College students have each received scholarships from Mississippi Professional Educators, the state’s largest and premier organization for professional educators.
As full-time educators in Mississippi, MPE members Ginny Grace Brumfield of Clinton, Lyndsay Franklin of Brandon and Anna Woodrow of Columbia were each awarded $1,000 graduate scholarships. MC undergraduate student Kimberly Salazar of Olive Branch received a $500 Linda Anglin Teacher Preparation Scholarship.
Brumfield, a second-grade teacher at Northside Elementary and a National Board Certified Teacher is pursuing an Educational Specialist degree in educational leadership at MC.
Franklin, a special education teacher at Northshore Elementary, is pursuing a Master of Education in dyslexia therapy at MC.
“I have been a special education teacher for 16 1/2 years, and when I decided that dyslexia therapy was the next step I wanted to take, MC was the only choice for me,” Brumfield said. “The legacy and reputation MC has is undeniable. Being a Mississippi College alumna, I know the values that MC works to instill in its staff and students. I loved my time here and have cherished memories. Coming back for a master’s degree has felt like coming home again.
After obtaining her degree, Franklin plans to continue serving students with dyslexia.
“My dyslexia therapy cohort has been an amazing group of women. We are there for each other to help answer questions and provide encouragement. This experience has definitely bonded us.”
Salazar, an education major at MC, has recently been accepted into the Memphis Teacher Residency master’s program, which places educators in under-resourced schools throughout Memphis.
“Two things stood out to me when choosing Mississippi College: the Christ-centered environment and the scholarship opportunities,” Salazar said. “I chose to major in elementary education because I want to help bridge language gaps for my students and be a meaningful representation for all learners, especially first-generation English learners.”
After earning her degree from MC, Salazar plans to pursue a master’s degree through the Memphis Teacher Residency program.
“I am incredibly grateful and blessed for this scholarship and the support it provides as I begin my teaching career,” she said.
Woodrow, an Engineering I and II instructor at Marion County Career and Technology Center and a National Board Certified Teacher, is pursuing a Specialist in Educational Leadership at MC.
“My experience in that program at MC was both positive and impactful, which made returning for my specialist degree an easy decision,” Woodrow said. “I plan to pursue my educational leadership degree so that I can broaden my career options, acquire my administrative license and continue developing as a teacher. This program will allow me to build on my teaching knowledge and to develop the leadership competencies needed to lead better and to serve students, teachers and the wider educational community.”
Once she completes her degree, Woodrow plans to continue serving as a teacher, mentoring other teachers and assisting with instructional initiatives and school improvement efforts.
“While attending MC, I have experienced real growth in my life. The professors have been incredibly helpful, and the collaboration in the coursework has helped me grow both as a teacher and a leader. I am honored and grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the MPE scholarship, which shows my continuous commitment to my education and serving students and the communities of Mississippi.”
Founded in 1979, the Mississippi Professional Educators is Mississippi’s largest and premier organization for professional educators, serving approximately 12,000 teachers, administrators and support personnel. MPE serves members in pre-K through graduate education in both public and private institutions with the purpose of promoting better education for the children of Mississippi.
MPE awards up to sixty scholarships to MPE members who wish to pursue graduate-level studies at a college or university in Mississippi. For more information, visit www.mpe.org.
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