Mississippi STEM Education Alliance (MSEA) at CMSE
Elevating Mississippi’s STEM Teachers. Empowering Mississippi’s Students.
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This program is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2454022
Get to know MSEA
The Mississippi STEM Education Alliance (MSEA) is a five-year statewide initiative led by the Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE) at the University of Mississippi. Funded by the National Science Foundation’s National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program, it brings together teachers, universities, districts, nonprofits, and industry partners to improve mathematics and data literacy education across Mississippi.
Our goal is to tackle the shortage of certified math teachers and increase access to high-quality STEM instruction throughout all regions of the state.
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Our Mission
Our mission, through MSEA and the National STEM Teacher Corps, is to establish a network of distinguished teacher-leaders who design and deliver professional development, broaden endorsement pathways, and enhance the teaching profession through increased visibility, collaboration, and innovation.
Want to know more about MSEA? Contact us with any questions you may have.
National STEM Teacher Corps Program
The National STEM Teacher Corps Program is proud to recognize sixteen outstanding middle and high school mathematics teachers from across Mississippi as National STEM Teacher Corps Members (NSTCMs). These educators have been selected for their excellence in teaching, leadership, and commitment to advancing mathematics and STEM education in their schools and communities.
Each NSTCM participates in one of four specialized content teams—Middle School Mathematics, Algebra and Geometry, or Statistics and Data Science—based on their expertise, interests, and professional goals. Through these content-area communities, members engage in collaborative learning, leadership development, and the sharing of innovative instructional practices.
As members of the National STEM Teacher Corps, these teachers work to strengthen mathematics education across Mississippi by supporting professional learning, mentoring fellow educators, advocating for high-quality STEM instruction, and serving as ambassadors for the teaching profession. Through their leadership, they are helping build a stronger and more equitable future for mathematics and STEM education throughout the state.
National STEM Teacher Corps Members (NSTCMs) commit to serving as teacher leaders who advance mathematics and STEM education across Mississippi.
- Four-Year Membership: NSTCMs serve a four-year term with opportunities to grow as leaders, mentors, and advocates for mathematics education.
- Annual Engagement: Members participate in summer institutes and trainings, attend the Mississippi Distinguished Educators’ Summit, and engage in quarterly cohort and content-team meetings throughout the year.
- Classroom Practice: NSTCMs remain active classroom educators, continuing to refine and share effective instructional practices while supporting student success.
- Professional Leadership: Members contribute to professional learning opportunities, collaborate with fellow educators, and support initiatives that strengthen mathematics and STEM education across the state.
- Mentorship & Outreach: NSTCMs serve as ambassadors for the profession by mentoring colleagues, presenting at conferences, participating in outreach activities, and sharing innovative practices with educators across Mississippi.
National STEM Teacher Corps Members receive meaningful support and opportunities to expand their impact as educators and leaders.
- Annual Stipend: Members receive a $13,500 annual stipend in recognition of their leadership, service, and program participation.
- Professional Learning: Access to specialized professional development, content-area institutes, leadership training, and attendance at state and national conferences.
- Statewide Recognition: Opportunities for public recognition through media features, program spotlights, and statewide STEM education initiatives.
- Professional Network: Collaboration with an accomplished cohort of mathematics educators, university partners, and STEM education leaders from across Mississippi and beyond.
- Leadership & Innovation: Opportunities to contribute to statewide mathematics initiatives, support curriculum and instructional improvement efforts, and help shape the future of STEM education in Mississippi.
Meet the Team
Middle School Mathematics Team
The Middle School Mathematics Team leads the Middle Mathematics Institute (MMI), a professional learning experience that supports teachers seeking certification in Middle School Mathematics. As institute facilitators, team members provide content expertise, model effective instructional practices, and support teacher learning throughout the certification process.
• Krystal Long – Hancock Middle School
• Jalisia Cook – Ridgeland High School
• Kayla Morman – Grenada High School
• Jessica King – Hernando Middle School
• Co-PI: Dr. Julie James
Algebra Team
The Algebra Team is developing the Algebra & Geometry Institute, a professional learning experience that will support teachers seeking certification in Algebra. Drawing on their classroom expertise, team members are helping design institute content, learning experiences, and resources that prepare educators to deepen their content knowledge and instructional practice.
• Ashton Winstead – Northwest Rankin High School
• Reneice Glasper – Lewisburg High School
• Melinda Austin – Hernando High School
• De’Adriana Jackson – Natchez Early College
• Co-PI: Dr. Liza Bondurant
Geometry team
The Geometry Team is developing the Algebra & Geometry Institute, a professional learning experience that will support teachers seeking certification in Geometry. Team members are collaborating to design institute content and facilitate learning experiences that strengthen teachers' geometric reasoning, content knowledge, and instructional practice.
• Franchesca Afrim – Brandon High School
• Dr. Jennifer Crissey – Germantown High School
• Reshondra Lakes – West Tallahatchie High School
• Judith Terry – Center Hill High School
• Co-PI: Dr. Liza Bondurant
Statistics & Data Literacy team
The Statistics & Data Science Team is leading the development of a new high school Data Science course for Mississippi. In addition to course development, team members will provide professional learning and training to support teachers implementing the course.
• Dane Peagler – Brandon High School
• Jacqueline Lewis – Southeast High School
• Atoyia Jackson – Blue Mountain High School
• Mihir Datta – Holmes County Central High School
• Co-PI: Dr. Bethany LaValley
Administrative Team
Alice Steimle
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Teacher Education and Director for Center for Mathematics and Science Education
Julie James
- Assistant Director Professional Learning CMSE
Bethany Lavalley
- Coordinator of Professional Development-CMSE
Liza Bondurant
- Co-Principal Investigator and Algebra and Geometry Content Lead
Joseph Sweeney
- Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Mississippi Teacher Corps
Johnathan Hill
- Program Coordinator
Yazie Goulet
- Multimedia Specialist
Our Partners
Thank you to our partners! Their support enables MSEA to collaborate with universities, research centers, and community organizations to offer hands-on STEM activities for students and teachers, along with professional development and recognition programs for educators.
FAQs
Learn more about some of our frequently asked questions. Can't find the answer you are looking for? Contact msea@olemiss.edu for any additional questions.
National STEM Teacher Corps Members (NSTCMs) are exemplary mathematics educators from across Mississippi who have been selected for their excellence in teaching, leadership, and commitment to student success. Members serve as ambassadors for mathematics and STEM education while remaining active classroom teachers.
NSTCMs participate in specialized content teams, collaborate on statewide initiatives, facilitate professional learning for educators, mentor colleagues, and contribute to projects designed to improve mathematics teaching and learning across Mississippi.
Yes. NSTCMs are expected to remain full-time classroom teachers throughout their four-year term. Participants must provide direct mathematics instruction for at least 50% of their time. The program is designed to elevate teacher leadership without removing teachers from their classrooms or communities.
By investing in teacher leadership and professional learning, the program helps strengthen mathematics instruction statewide. The work of NSTCMs supports teachers, expands access to high-quality learning opportunities, and ultimately improves student experiences and outcomes in mathematics and STEM.
Current projects include facilitating the Middle Mathematics Institute (MMI), developing Algebra and Geometry Institutes that support teacher certification, and creating a new high school Data Science course, along with professional learning opportunities for educators who will teach it.
National STEM Teacher Corps Members serve a four-year term, during which they participate in professional learning, leadership development, mentorship, and statewide STEM initiatives.
The current cohort focuses on strengthening mathematics education across Mississippi. Pending future funding and program expansion, MSEA hopes to launch an additional cohort in 2030 to advance science education and support science teachers throughout the state.
Let's Get In Touch!
Dr. Johnathan Hill, MSEA Program Coordinator
Email: msea@olemiss.edu | Phone: 662-915-6621
Location: Center for Mathematics and Science Education - University of Mississippi