In a classroom full of colorful signs and new words on the board, Apryl Johnson is excited about doing something she’s been waiting a long time to do.

Johnson, who teaches at Parkview Elementary, is one of many educators in the Meridian Public School District helping students this year thanks to a grant from the Phil Hardin Foundation. The grant makes it possible for teachers to obtain their certification at MSU-Meridian. 

Jeff Leffler, director of graduate studies and associate professor of elementary education at MSU-Meridian, said the Meridian Public School District, like many other school systems, is struggling with a teacher shortage, and this partnership addresses that need.

The grant will pay for up to 15 students to take two classes towards their alternative route license, he said. To be part of the program, students first have to be accepted into the university and then apply for grant. Leffler added that MSU-Meridian was planning on starting the program in the spring, but decided instead to launch it this semester.

Being the change

Johnson’s journey to become a teacher started when she was young, after she was inspired by her fourth grade English teacher, Emma Crawford. Johnson said Crawford saw something in her and still cares about her today.

But instead of teaching, Johnson went to work for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. While there, she heard the Meridian Public School District was hiring teachers, so she decided to go back to school. Eventually, she graduated from MSU-Meridian in December 2016. This school year is the first year she has her own classroom. 

Johnson said that when the district looks for teachers, they need to find people who care. Her goal is to break the cycle of poverty by encouraging students to do their best, and not be a product of their environment.

“I want to be part of that change,” said Johnson.

And while the school year has just started, Johnson continues to emphasize that success requires a group effort, calling her class a family.

“We are all in this together,” she said.