The Office of Teaching and Leading (OTL) serves to provide leadership in the development and continuous support and improvement of effective teachers and leaders through strong partnerships with appropriate education stakeholder groups in the following areas: Attracting, Recruiting, and Retaining Quality Educators; through Educator Preparation; Educator Licensure; Educator Effectiveness; Targeted Professional Learning for Educator Licensure Renewal. Ultimately, the OTL is tasked with ensuring that every school has effective teachers and leaders who positively impact the success of ALL learners.
The OTL has five areas within the office, each with a variety of programs and services:
The Division of Educator Effectiveness promotes and supports effective teaching and leading in Mississippi. Specifically, the Division oversees the Mississippi Professional Growth System (PGS), educator recognition programs (i.e., Mississippi Administrator and Teacher of the Year, Milken Educator Award, etc.), teacher leadership, and induction and mentoring. The Division’s programs and initiatives support efforts to retain effective educators in Mississippi.
The Division of Educator Licensure is responsible for ensuring that all initial licensure and renewal requirements are met prior to issuance. Specifically, the Division oversees the licensing of all teachers, administrators, and instructional support personnel working in a local school district or an eligible nonpublic school in the state of Mississippi. The Divison also provides resources to assist school districts in maintaining compliance with state law and Mississippi Board of Education policy.
The Division of Educator Preparation is responsible for ensuring Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) at Mississippi’s institutions of higher education are producing high quality educators for the state’s K-12 schools. Specifically, the Division is responsible for designing, coordinating, and conducting process and performance reviews and accreditation visits to ensure EPPs are meeting standards for program approval. Additionally, the Division assists with efforts to attract, recruit, and retain educators for Mississippi.
The Division of Educator Talent Acquisition promotes and supports efforts to recruit and retain teachers in Mississippi. Specifically, the Division oversees the Mississippi talent development initiatives (i.e., Culturally Responsive Practices, Talent for Turnaround, Grow-Your-Own Programs, Teacher Residency Programs, Diverse and Learner-Ready Teachers, etc.), teacher leadership, and induction and mentoring. The Division’s programs and initiatives support efforts to recruit effective educators in Mississippi.
The Office of Educator Misconduct promotes ethical conduct by all licensed, public educators in Mississippi.
