“There’s so much more to our students than just a test”
Khrysten Glass always knew she wanted to return to her hometown of Canton to give back to her community. Today, she walks the halls of her school worried. She’s worried about her students, not about their test scores, but worried about their safety, worried about their future, worried about their home life, worried about…
When the love and joy of learning is sucked out of the classroom
Education is Mississippi has become prescribed. That’s how Donna Akers a 30-year veteran teacher describes the public education system. Donna “accidentally” found herself in education as she was faced with the decision of declaring a major at Ole Miss. “I had to pick something, and I chose education because I thought it would be the…
“Teaching was always what I loved to do”
The passion to teach runs through the veins of Keeba Smith of Laurel. “I come from a family of educators,” she said, “my mom taught for 27 years. My aunt was a teacher and so are my two sisters. It runs in the family.” But Keeba ran from a career in education early on, she…
“As teachers, we were teaching to the test”
“To walk away is the most difficult decision a teacher can ever make,” Crystal McKinnis said quietly of her decision to leave the profession – a profession that continues to hold her heart – after 11 years in the classroom. Crystal, a Jackson native, started as a “reluctant teacher” she described. “There was a lady…
Home-based business provides new career for entrepreneur
Freedom in her career is what led Jolie Freeman to her house in Magee where she works as a home-based travel agent for her company Southern Baggage Travel. Jolie is an independent contractor and works with a number of companies planning trips for her clients. “I love being able to help people plan their vacations,”…
First Step Act provides second chance
Genesis Wess sat behind bars for 19 years waiting for a second chance – something he wasn’t sure he’d ever get. Genesis grew up poor. He knew he wanted better but was misled. He thought that what he was looking for could be found on the streets of Moss Point where he lived. “It was…
Ivy Green Academy: A learner-driven school
“There’s no drill and kill here.” That’s how Dr. Donna Akers, Head of School at Ivy Green Academy in Pontotoc describes the freedom that her students have in the classroom. The students are receiving an education free from standardized testing and the traditional ways of doing school all while thriving and growing. Donna founded the…
Ensuring students are prepared for life
Ensuring that students are prepared for life. That’s the mission of Midtown Public Charter School in Jackson. “We want to be a place where our students and teachers feel loved, valued, and cared for. That’s how we prepare them for life,” said principal Kevin Parkinson. The Midtown neighborhood in Jackson is a unique area. “Midtown…
How a childhood passion became a reality
As a high school student growing up in Jackson, Patrick Harkins dreamed as many young people do of leaving Mississippi as fast as he could when he graduated. That time came in 2001 and Harkins along with his girlfriend (now wife Haley) were headed to Los Angeles. “We were headed out to LA where I…
There is always hope
There is always hope. That theme is reflected in the lives of Danny and Christy Austin of Corinth. The couple has struggled with addiction through much of their adult lives, but both are clean and beginning a new chapter in their life. “The one thing we know is that there is going to be heartache…
How nurse practitioners fill a need
Small town life. It’s stopping by the drug store, the hardware store after a visit to the local clinic – a local clinic often run by a nurse practitioner. Some believe that hometown care and the ability to be seen right down the street is in jeopardy. Dr. Carolyn Coleman is a nurse practitioner who…
“There is a great need for more virtual programs”
“Education going forward is no longer tied to your zip code.” That’s what Booneville Superintendent Dr. Todd English sees lying ahead for education in Mississippi. Booneville is one of 11 school districts that hold a District of Innovation status. Districts of Innovation are described by the state department of education as being given additional flexibility…
“We are willing to provide care in all areas of the state”
In the small north Mississippi town of Ripley, Dr. Wanda Stroupe, NP has been seeing patients for 18 years. Wanda is a Nurse Practitioner who opened her own practice Family Care Clinic of Ripley, and a few short years later built her own building. “I started with a staff of three and today we are…