Mississippi Delta STEM Teachers to Benefit from Federal Grant for Professional Development

Delta State University has introduced a fresh initiative aimed at supporting STEM educators in the Delta.

The Collaborative for Rural STEM Education initiative offers assistance and professional growth opportunities. Its funding originates from a $1 million award from the U.S. Department of Education.

This iteration of the program enrolls 22 educators from 12 regions, encompassing the Clarksdale Municipal School District and the Holmes County and Sunflower County Consolidated school districts.

Each participating educator undergoes tailored training and access to resources tailored to their needs. Additionally, they will receive guidance throughout the duration and stipends for travel and accommodations annually.

“The demand for STEM educators in the Delta is critical given their importance in today’s society and job market,” noted project leader Jessica Hardy in a press release.

Educators and mentors lauded the initiative and its promise.

“The effectiveness of this program lies in the growth of educators and their ability to cultivate and enhance not only STEM material but also STEM mindsets and abilities in students,” expressed instructional faculty member Daphne Smith.

Expressed Melanie Hardy, a teacher at Yazoo County Middle School: “I am privileged to have been chosen to learn alongside numerous exceptional Mississippi Delta educators, and I am eager to integrate all the resources provided by the CRSE into my middle school math and science classes.”

The initiative is set to continue until summer 2025.