Clyde Dease Jr. of Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, center, with PRCC's Dr. Adam Breerwood and WCU's Dr. Ben Burnett.
Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation has renewed a grant that will allow the William Carey University School of Education to extend a partnership with Pearl River Community College to attack Mississippi’s persistent teacher shortage at the local level.
The announcement of the $36,000 grant came Sept. 4 during a luncheon at Pearl River Community College.
“The foundation supports the efforts of William Carey University to partner with PRCC to address the shortage of certified teachers in our district. Our schools and community will be the long-term beneficiaries,” said Clyde Dease Jr., CEO/President of Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation.
Through the partnership, WCU and PRCC house a third- and fourth-year teacher education program at the Pearl River CC campus. Participating education students remain at the community college campus after their graduation from PRCC and finish their bachelor’s degrees as students of William Carey University. The grant supports an on-site coordinator and helps defray instructional expenses. WCU also provides support for the program by reducing the hourly tuition rate for these students.
In return, participating students agree to teach for a minimum of three years in one of Pearl River County’s three school districts – Pearl River County, Picayune or Poplarville.
“William Carey University is committed to assisting K-12 schools across the state during this critical teacher shortage,” said Dr. Ben Burnett, dean of the WCU School of Education.
“We appreciate the generosity of Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation and the willingness of Pearl River Community College’s president, Dr. Adam Breerwood, and his entire staff in helping us recruit and educate teacher candidates who will contribute to the lives of children across south Mississippi for years to come.”
Clyde Dease said he would like to see programs like this across the state.
Burnett agreed: “While most colleges of teacher education are experiencing a decline, William Carey’s undergraduate teacher education enrollment increased by 25 percent this school year. This is due, in part, to the great students in our PRCC partnership program. We look forward to not only continuing this program but also to expanding it in the future.”
For more about the WCU School of Education, visit
www.wmcarey.edu or call (601) 318-6600.