NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2020
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will hold three Virtual Alternate Route Fairs in July to help aspiring teachers identify the alternate route teacher preparation program that is right for them. Completing an alternate route program is a required step for people who would like to transition into teaching but lack the certification or license.
Each fair will be held via Zoom. Participants will get an overview of Mississippi’s alternate route options and “travel” to breakout rooms to hear presentations from three different colleges or universities in Mississippi. Presenters will provide information about each program’s cost, length, specialization and whether the program is virtual, in-person or a hybrid of both. Following the presentations, participants will complete a survey indicating whether they would like follow-up information.
Testing requirements for entry into educator preparation programs, which include the ACT and Praxis subject-area tests, are suspended through the end of 2021 because of closures due to COVID-19.
“We are excited to partner with Mississippi’s alternate route providers across the state to offer these virtual events,” said Krystal Cormack, MDE director of talent acquisition. “This is an opportune time for transitioning professionals to consider a career in teaching. This program will provide timely, important information about the different options available right here in our state.”
Register for one or more of the Virtual Alternate Route Fairs at the links below. Participants will receive a confirmation email after registering with information about joining the meeting. Each fair is limited to 275 participants.
Virtual Alternate Route Fairs will be held at 6 p.m. on the following dates:
July 15, 6 p.m.:
- Teach Mississippi Institute at the University of Mississippi
- Tougaloo College
- William Carey University
July 22, 6 p.m.:
- Jackson State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Belhaven University
July 29 p.m.:
- Mississippi College
- Delta State University
- Mississippi State University
For questions about the Virtual Alternate Route Fairs, contact Krystal Cormack at kcormack@mdek12.org.
For information about Mississippi’s Alternate Route Programs, visit: https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL/Alternate.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3515
pguilfoyle@mdek12.org
Jean Cook, APR
Director of Public Relations
601-359-3515
jcook@mdek12.org