Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program

05/01/2025

Thank you Mississippi Early Learning Alliance Executive Director Biz Harris for spending time with our fellows and sharing about early childhood initiatives in Mississippi.

04/25/2025

Thank you, Dr. Kollin Napier, Director of MAIN, for sharing insights on AI initiatives in Mississippi with fellows today.

03/19/2025

Hill Day here we come! Mississippi Fellows visited Capitol Hill today to meet with staffers from Senator Hyde-Smith and Senator Wicker’s offices to learn more about federal policy as a part of the Washington Policy Seminar.

01/31/2025

Capitol Day 2025 is in the books. Fellows spent the day connecting with policy makers and learning more about current policy proposals and initiatives in Mississippi.

09/25/2024

Congratulations to Nicole Cockrell, 2023-24 Fellow, and her team at Mannsdale Upper Elementary on this distinguished achievement.

Mannsdale Upper Elementary School is a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School! This recognition, announced Monday by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, is among the highest national honors given to schools across the United States.

“I am so excited that Mannsdale Upper has been selected as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School awardee,” said Principal Dr. Nicole Cockrell. “The teachers, students, and staff have worked diligently since the school's opening to build citizens of excellence. This distinction confirms that building relationships and teaching with heart matter.”

Only 356 schools in the entire nation are recognized as 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools, placing Mannsdale Upper Elementary among the top schools not only in Mississippi, but also in the United States. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes both public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. In a statement released Monday, the U.S. Department of Education notes that, “National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.”

“Mannsdale Upper Elementary is an outstanding representation of our motto, ‘Mark of Excellence’,” says Madison County Schools Superintendent Ted Poore. “We are thrilled to see the hard work and dedication of our faculty, administrators, students, families, and community recognized with such an honor. This award lets everyone across America know what we have known for years: that Mannsdale Upper Elementary is among the very best in the nation.”

Opened in the fall of 2016 as part of the A-rated Germantown Zone of Madison County Schools, Mannsdale Upper Elementary School has quickly proven worthy of this national honor. In the years since its founding, Mannsdale Upper Elementary has earned numerous accolades, including recognition as the only stand-alone Elementary School of Innovation in the state. Mannsdale Upper Elementary has also been named a STAR school by the state of Mississippi. The school’s exemplary programs, including a Leadership Academy, Student Council, Honor Choir, and Junior Master Gardener Program, have received praise and recognition for excellence and innovation, and school-wide test scores consistently rank among the highest in the state. Mannsdale Upper Elementary, home to nearly 600 students in grades three through five and more than 60 faculty and staff members, is dedicated to building relationships and engaging students in thoughtful and meaningful learning that allows them to grow and develop academically.

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held later this fall in Washington, D.C., at which time recognized schools will receive plaques and flags commemorating this monumental honor.


Mannsdale Upper Elementary Mannsdale Upper Elementary PTO

09/14/2024

Now accepting applications for our Grants in Place Fellows program!

Are you a rural teacher excited about Place-Based Education and teaching within one of our Regional Hubs? Apply today for our $2,500 grant opportunity! 🍎 ✏️

Learn more: https://ruralschoolscollaborative.org/news/2024-25-grants-in-place-fellows-now-accepting-applications

08/31/2024

LAST DAY to apply to be a part of the 2024-25 Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program. To learn more and apply, https://reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/home/mississippi-education-policy-fellowship-program/.

Application deadline is August 31, 2024.

08/30/2024

TWO more days to apply to be a part of the 2024-25 Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program. To learn more and apply, https://reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/home/mississippi-education-policy-fellowship-program/.

Application deadline is August 31, 2024.

08/29/2024

THREE more days to apply to be a part of the 2024-25 Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program. To learn more and apply, https://reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/home/mississippi-education-policy-fellowship-program/.

Application deadline is August 31, 2024.

08/28/2024

Four more days to apply to be a part of the 2024-25 Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program. To learn more and apply, https://reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/home/mississippi-education-policy-fellowship-program/.

Application deadline is August 31, 2024.

08/27/2024

Come be a part of the fun with the 2024-25 Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program. To learn more and apply, https://reri.ssrc.msstate.edu/home/mississippi-education-policy-fellowship-program/.

Application deadline is August 31, 2024.