Jackson Public Schools partners with William Carey University for teacher certification program

The Jackson Public Schools Board Meeting on April 3, 2025, focused on two significant action items aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and environmental education within the district.

The first major discussion involved a recommendation to renew an agreement with William Carey University to serve as a partner for the JPS teacher certification program. This initiative allows non-certified and provisionally certified personnel, as well as certified teachers teaching out of their area, to obtain certification through an approved education program. Since the program's inception, 50 JPS teachers have enrolled, with 43 successfully obtaining certification and 38 receiving their standard Mississippi educator license. Currently, seven teachers are still completing their certification requirements, and 34 remain actively teaching in the district. The administration emphasized the importance of this program in growing local talent and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers in Jackson Public Schools.

The second key topic was the approval of a grant agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the establishment of a People's Garden at the Environmental Learning Center. This project, funded with $50,000 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, aims to create an outdoor classroom that integrates environmental education into the curriculum. The garden will feature raised beds for pollinator habitats, fruit-bearing saplings, and a compost area, engaging local youth in sustainable practices. JPS will contribute an in-kind cost match of $37,500 to support the project, which is set to run until January 2, 2026.

Board members expressed interest in visiting the Environmental Learning Center to observe the ongoing initiatives firsthand, highlighting the board's commitment to enhancing educational experiences for students in the district.