Southern Miss Helps Teacher Assistant Take Next Career Step as Educator

Mon, 12/08/2025 - 10:39am

Holly Hall has gained invaluable experience working as a teacher assistant at Steen’s Creek Elementary School in Florence, Miss. Soon, she will also have the credentials needed to lead a classroom of her own thanks to innovative teacher preparation programs at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

This week, Hall will graduate from the Southern Miss College of Education and Human Sciences with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She completed her degree through the Teacher Assistant Program (TAP), a fully-online degree designed for those like Hall who are already employed as teacher assistants in elementary schools across the state. Additionally, Hall chose to participate in teacher apprenticeship, which provides additional supports and benefits for individuals in the TAP pathway. Together, TAP and teacher apprenticeship provide aspiring educators with on-the-job training under the guidance of skilled mentors combined with related instruction from USM’s coursework.

“Holly has already made a remarkable impact in the classroom where she serves as an apprentice,” Teacher Apprentice Program Coordinator Haley McCaffrey said. “She has been an enthusiastic participant in the program, going above and beyond in her commitment to growing her professional skills. Her outstanding work ethic and kind heart, combined with the education she is receiving at Southern Miss, have her poised to make a huge impact in her future classroom.”

Hall learned about TAP at Southern Miss from a co-worker who had successfully completed the program. As a mother of three working full-time, she was unsure whether she could handle the coursework after being out of school for so long. The online format helped her manage new and existing demands on her schedule, and Hall says the teachers and staff “have been nothing but encouraging and supportive” along the way.

“Even though my experience was fully online, the instructors were interactive and made every class feel personal and engaging,” Hall noted. “Choosing to enroll in this program has truly been one of the best decisions of my life.”

Currently, Hall is a teacher apprentice through the Mississippi Center for Apprenticeships and Residency in Education (MCARE) at Southern Miss. After launching the state’s first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship (RTA) program in 2024, the University was awarded an Apprenticeship Building America grant worth $3.8 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. Through this partnership, Hall is one of 62 TAP students who have received robust financial and coaching support, in addition to other resources.

“Our university is committed to preparing graduates who are ready for life and equipped to thrive in their careers. Golden Eagle teacher apprentices and residents bring that vision to life through the incomparable real-world training and education they receive,” MCARE Executive Director Andrea Krell said. “Holly has done exceptionally well in all aspects of our program, and we look forward to seeing her continue to change the lives of her students.”

Southern Miss has apprenticeship partnerships with 28 school districts across the state, helping them grow their own teacher workforce by investing in individuals already committed to their schools and communities.

“The TAP and RTA have been a tremendous blessing,” Hall said. “Returning to school after so many years, I was anxious about the difficulty and cost of the Praxis exams. Not only did Southern Miss provide study materials, but they also offered vouchers to cover test costs. As a full-time student, assistant teacher, and mother of three, the potential expense of these tests felt overwhelming. The apprenticeship program stepped in once again, providing crucial support that not only enabled me to take the tests but also helped me pass them on the first attempt.”

Hall lauded the free professional development opportunities (provided through RTA) as very beneficial.

“Even with eight years of experience in the classroom, I consistently learn something new and valuable at each session,” she said. “Southern Miss’ commitment to ongoing growth and learning is truly commendable.”

Dr. Brett Stamm and Jaime Campbell, two of Hall’s instructors, made a lasting impression on her.

“Dr. Stamm’s weekly lectures were always relevant to real classroom experiences. His thoughtful feedback helped me grow as an educator, and it’s evident he has a genuine heart for helping future teachers succeed,” Hall recounted. “My university supervisor during student teaching, Miss Campbell, has also been incredible. She has gone above and beyond to make my student teaching experience both enjoyable and meaningful. Her support ensured we had the tools and confidence needed to accomplish our goals.”

Hall also acknowledged the support of Southern Miss Teacher Apprentice Program Coordinator Haley McCaffrey. “Any time I have a question or need assistance, she (McCaffrey) is responsive and always points me in the right direction. I’m incredibly grateful for the knowledge, encouragement and community I’ve found at Southern Miss.”

Dr. Stamm described Hall’s work as “outstanding, thoughtful, reflective” and “connected to her own experiences which are wide and varied—connecting both personal and professional aspects of her life.”

“Holly is the ideal teacher we want working with students in our schools,” Stamm continued. “She is knowledgeable and prepared for all aspects of the role of educator. As a parent of school-aged children, Holly is the type of teacher I want my children to have, and I believe she will undoubtedly excel.”

Hall’s teaching philosophy formed through her work at Steen’s Creek and from being the parent of a child with a learning disability.

“Each student learns and behaves differently, and that diversity is what drew me to education,” Hall explained. “I also have a personal connection to this work—my middle daughter has dyslexia and has faced her own challenges in school. Seeing how much she benefited from caring, supportive teachers inspired me to become that kind of teacher for other students. Every child has the ability for greatness, and it’s my job to help them realize and reach their potential.”

Ready for life after graduation, Hall has accepted a job offer as a resource teacher at Steen’s Creek beginning in January 2026. The Pearl, Miss., native and current Florence resident plans to pursue a master’s degree from Southern Miss after completing her first year of teaching.

To learn more about TAP at Southern Miss, visit online elementary education BS for teacher assistants. Click here for more information about apprenticeship benefits.