MC Teacher Education and Leadership

08/27/2026

We’re so excited to see the difference our Alternate Route students are making in classrooms! 🎉 Congratulations to Mrs. Newman on being selected by her school as K–2 Teacher of the Week! We’re so proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition! 👏📚🍎

We are pleased to announce our K-2 Teacher of the Week!

08/19/2026

Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we send 25 teacher candidates into their student teaching experiences! 🍎📚✨

We are proud to support these future educators as they take the next step in their professional journey, put their knowledge into practice, build meaningful relationships with students, and learn alongside experienced teachers.

We are grateful to our cooperating teachers and school partners for welcoming our candidates into their classrooms. We look forward to celebrating the growth, learning, and accomplishments of all 25 teacher candidates throughout this important experience!

Here’s to a successful first day and an incredible semester ahead! 🎉

08/18/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Wesley Wilson ✨

Today, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Wilson, whose passion for education and commitment to preparing effective educators continue to inspire the next generation of teachers.

Dr. Wilson joined MC's faculty in 2023 and serves as the Coordinator of the Master of Education in Teaching Arts programs. Through his leadership and teaching, he supports future educators as they develop the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s classrooms.

He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in classroom management, assessment and evaluation, as well as research methods, equipping students with practical, research-based strategies to create engaging and effective learning environments.

We're grateful for Dr. Wilson's dedication to student success and his commitment to preparing educators who are ready to make a lasting impact in schools and communities.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Wilson and his lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚

08/14/2026

MC is excited to announce the Rising Educator and Arrow Partnership (REAP) with the Clinton Public School District. This program provides senior elementary education students at MC with a full year of classroom experience under the guidance of a mentor teacher, allowing them to not only learn about day-to-day life in the classroom but also how to best prepare for a new school year.

Learn more about the program: https://www.mc.edu/news/elementary-education-students-reap-benefits-landmark-mc-cpsd-partnership

08/14/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Brittany Ricker ✨

Today, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Ricker, whose passion for education and commitment to preparing future teachers continue to inspire the next generation of educators.

Dr. Ricker joined MC's faculty in Fall 2024 and serves as the Director of Field Experience. Through her work, she helps students bridge the connection between educational theory and real-world classroom practice, emphasizing effective instructional strategies, classroom management, and thoughtful lesson design.

Drawing on her experience as a former elementary ELA teacher and assistant principal in the Clinton Public School District, Dr. Ricker prepares future educators for the challenges and opportunities of today’s classrooms. She is dedicated to supporting students as they grow into confident, reflective practitioners who are ready to make a meaningful impact.

We're grateful for Dr. Ricker's dedication to mentoring future teachers and her commitment to excellence in educator preparation.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Ricker and her lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚

08/12/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Micheal Pope ✨

Today, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Pope, whose passion for education and commitment to developing future leaders continue to inspire the next generation of educators.

Dr. Pope joined the MC faculty in 2025 and serves as the Coordinator of the Educational Leadership Specialist degree program. Bringing more than 25 years of experience in education, he offers students a wealth of knowledge gained from serving as a high school history teacher, middle school principal, and elementary school principal.

With leadership experience spanning multiple levels of education, Dr. Pope is passionate about preparing the next generation of educational leaders. His greatest professional joy is investing in others and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their fullest potential.

We're grateful for Dr. Pope's dedication to mentoring future leaders and his commitment to strengthening the field of education.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Pope and his lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚

08/06/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Rachel Peeples ✨
Today, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Peeples, whose passion for education and dedication to preparing exceptional teachers continue to inspire the next generation of educators.

Since returning to MC in 2010, Dr. Peeples has played an important role in preparing future teachers through her work in early childhood education, literacy, and elementary social studies. With deep expertise in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, she provides students with a strong foundation in research-based practices, effective classroom strategies, and child development principles.

Through her teaching and mentorship, Dr. Peeples helps future educators create engaging, supportive learning environments that meet the needs of young learners. Her commitment to excellence continues to shape teachers who are prepared to make a lasting and meaningful impact in their classrooms and communities.

We're grateful for Dr. Peeples' dedication to student success and her continued contribution to the field of education.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Peeples and her lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚

08/04/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jay Levy ✨

Today, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Levy, whose passion for education and commitment to preparing effective educators and leaders continue to inspire the next generation of teachers.

Dr. Levy joined the MC faculty in 2024 and serves as the Coordinator of the Master’s in Educational Leadership program. With expertise in secondary education and curriculum leadership, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom.

He teaches courses in curriculum and instruction, literacy, educational leadership, and assessment and evaluation, helping students develop the skills and knowledge needed to become impactful educators and leaders. His research interests in literacy methods, educational leadership models, and classroom management reflect his dedication to advancing effective teaching practices and strengthening educational leadership.

We're grateful for Dr. Levy's commitment to student success and his work preparing the next generation of educators and educational leaders.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Levy and his lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚

07/30/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Jo LeVert ✨

Today, we're proud to spotlight Mrs. LeVert, whose passion for education and decades of experience continue to inspire the next generation of teachers.

Mrs. LeVert joined MC in 2019 following an outstanding 32-year career in Mississippi public education. Her extensive experience with Jackson Public Schools and Madison County Schools has provided her with valuable expertise in literacy and early childhood education.

At MC, Mrs. LeVert supervises student teachers and teaches courses in early childhood education and reading instruction, helping future educators develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in the classroom.

Through her mentorship and dedication to preparing effective teachers, Mrs. LeVert continues to make a lasting impact on both MC students and the future of education.

We're grateful for her commitment to student success and her passion for shaping the next generation of educators.

Join us in celebrating Mrs. LeVert and her lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚

07/28/2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Kadijah Kinds ✨

Today, we're proud to spotlight Dr. Kinds, whose passion for education and commitment to preparing effective educators continue to inspire the next generation of teachers.

A valued member of MC's faculty since 2023, Dr. Kinds brings expertise in elementary and special education to the classroom. As the Coordinator of the Master’s in Special Education program, she provides leadership and guidance in preparing educators to support the diverse needs of learners.

In addition to her program leadership, Dr. Kinds teaches undergraduate methods courses, equipping future teachers with the instructional strategies, knowledge, and practical skills needed to create inclusive, engaging learning environments.

Through her teaching and mentorship, Dr. Kinds helps prepare educators to make a meaningful impact in their classrooms and communities.
We're grateful for Dr. Kinds' dedication to student success and her commitment to shaping the future of education.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Kinds and her lasting impact on our students and the field of education! 🍎📚