MASS Announces New Board of Directors
Veteran educators to help advance public education in Mississippi
read more→As students return to classrooms across Mississippi, many will be affected by a teacher shortage that has been impacting public schools nationwide.
A teacher’s job is making sure students have the foundation they need for productive lives and promising futures. When you think about it, that’s a tall order for educators, even when they have access to the best resources and support.
But in understaffed schools, teachers are stretched thin and expected to do more with less—a cycle that can negatively impact student achievement and make it harder for districts to hire and retain good teachers.
As a leading advocate for quality public education, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents has made the teacher shortage a focal point of our advocacy and outreach efforts.
A few years ago, MASS launched the Unleash Possible campaign to shine a light on Mississippi educators and promote the benefits and opportunities of the profession. When it’s time for students to choose a career path, we want them to consider the lifelong impact they can make as teachers.
MASS also continues working with state leaders to develop more robust recruiting and hiring practices for Mississippi’s public schools as well as better pay, stronger certification standards and other incentives to build and strengthen Mississippi’s teacher workforce.
Last year, we applauded the State Legislature for passing the most significant teacher pay raise in three decades. Just months later, though, districts were reporting high levels of teacher attrition.
Today, almost two of three districts in Mississippi are classified as critical shortage areas, according to a teacher survey published by Mississippi First.
While higher pay is a step in the right direction, there’s no one answer that will resolve the teacher shortage. That’s why we are working to understand and effectively address the complex underlying causes, many of which may differ from district to district.
Throughout my career in education, I’ve found that most teachers entered the profession because of a teacher—someone they looked up to who provided inspiration and motivation at a pivotal time in their lives.
In other words, teachers are the best recruiters of future teachers—especially when they’re excited about their work and have the tools and resources that their students need to grow and thrive.
We’re committed to doing everything we can to address the teacher shortage, but we can’t do it alone. Every Mississippian is invested in the success of our public schools and can play a role in making sure teachers are valued, respected and appreciated for their contributions.
Let the teachers in your life and your community know that they have your support. And if you know someone who wants to be a teacher one day, your encouragement and positive reinforcement will send a clear message that they’re making the right decision.
Phillip G Burchfield
Executive Director
MS School Superintendents
MS Public Schools
School Disctricts
Public School Students
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Veteran educators to help advance public education in Mississippi
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read more→Program honors students for leadership and community service
read more→Veteran educators to help advance public education in Mississippi.
read more→Veteran educator to focus on professional development, member engagement
read more→Veteran educator helps advance public education in Mississippi
read more→Program honors students for leadership and community service
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read more→Millions available to school districts for computer devices
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As a leading advocate for quality public education, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents provides a comprehensive set of professional learning opportunities that equip educational administrators to inspire students to reach their fullest potential every day.
Dr. Carla J. Evers
6457 Kiln-DeLisle RoadDr. Titus M. Hines
P. O. Box 137Dr. Lisa Langford
119 W. Main St.Mr. Don Cuevas
P. O. Box 378Dr. Joe Earl Nelson
P. O. Drawer 478January 21 - 24, 2024
Hilton Jackson
1001 East County Line Road
Jackson, MS 39211
More information will be available soon.
More information will be available soon.
More information will be available soon.
Relevance of topic to targeted audience or theme of the convention is the primary consideration.
MASS has been a great service provider for many years. I have known them for a longtime and they have always been a valued partner when it comes to building greater accountability in public education.
MASS started the mentorship program and new superintendent’s network during my first year as a superintendent. I must say this program jumpstarted my career in the positive direction and guided me through my entire first year.
The MASS organization exemplifies what an educational organization should be: committing itself to growing school leaders professionally, creating a network among its members and leadership for support, and investing in the continual success of children in each district of the state. MASS has offered me multiple avenues of professional growth through its relevant conferences, but more importantly, it provides a network of colleagues to help me navigate the superintendency and to improve the education for children in my district.
Since 2008, I have had the opportunity to attend all Summer and Winter Mississippi Association of School Superintendents' conferences. In addition, I have attended many professional opportunities sponsored by MASS over this same period. Regardless of whether I attended as a principal, assistant superintendent, or superintendent, I always experienced tremendous professional growth from each session or meeting. I am grateful to MASS for each of these opportunities and proudly serve as a member of the board of directors for the premier educational organization in the state.
As a member of MASS, I am not alone. The network of MASS members is a professional resource in itself that provides me with best practices and support in leading my district. As we enter these unprecedented times of educating children, MASS is providing me with timely information in weekly webinars with experts and professionals that assist me in building a plan for our schools. While leading in challenging times, we are not leading alone. MASS is with us through it all.
As a new superintendent a few years ago, I found the leadership of MASS to be invaluable as I learned to navigate on the road of the superintendency. Participating in the monthly sessions with my fellow colleagues provided me with a team that I can call anytime to face the challenges of leading a school district. Being a part of MASS also affords me life-long friendships beyond the superintendency. As we collectively work to meet the needs of students in Mississippi, I am honored to be a member of an organization that not only focuses on the professional growth of superintendents. It also focuses on the development of school and district personnel through webinars and its annual conferences.
As a newcomer to MASS, I am encouraged by the organization’s steps to equip its members. Resources such as the webinar series add great value and offer insights that help us do our job even better.