What is the Mississippi Charter School Fellowship?
The charter school fellowship program is a summer program that cultivates interested educators and leaders in education to learn operational and leadership skills in hopes of expanding the leadership talent pool for public charter schools in Mississippi.
Public charter schools empower communities to design high-quality, public educational experiences to meet their students’ needs. Charter schools are free, public, and open to all children in relevant grades. Currently, Mississippi has nine public charter schools operating in Jackson, Clarksdale, Natchez, and Leflore County.
Because Mississippi is new to the public charter school sector, many current and rising education leaders lack familiarity with quality public charter schools. In knowing this, Mississippi First partnered with charter schools in Mississippi to create the Mississippi Charter School Fellowship. Not only are fellows learning about charter school academics and operations, but they are also building community through working with public charter school leaders and stakeholders.
We seek leaders who reflect the communities they serve and bring deep knowledge of the issues facing their communities. We strongly encourage applicants from anywhere in Mississippi.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Learning Centered
Fellows will receive hands-on experience in running
a charter school.
Community and Networking
Fellows will support community and family engagement by working with leaders and educators.
Compensation
Fellows will be paid a $5,000 stipend and be reimbursed for mileage for in-person orientation.
Cohorts
2024
Kanesha Patterson, Midtown Public Charter School
Lakima Ross, Leflore Legacy Academy
Kambria Jones, Clarksdale Collegiate
Williesha Mack, Midtown Public Charter School
2023
D’Atra Gilmore, Ambition Prep
Crystal Dixon, Leflore Legacy Academy
Mark Beechem, Leflore Legacy Academy
Nicole Ford, Leflore Legacy Academy
2022 | The Inaugural Cohort
LaToya Spurlock-Fluker, Leflore Legacy Academy
Myra Grey, Leflore Legacy Academy
Porshia Ferguson, Ambition Prep
Tywanna Mosley, Ambition Prep
CaTina Anderson, Republic Schools
Tionna Anderson, Republic Schools
Erica Dotson, Clarksdale Collegiate
Nicole Moore, Clarksdale Collegiate
For any questions or concerns about the fellowship, please contact our Director of Special Programs, Pheron Russell.