In the last three months, four area teachers have been charged or convicted of major crimes.

News Channel 12 launched an investigation into background checks of teachers. Here is what we found out. In Mississippi, everyone applying for a teaching position must undergo a criminal background check. Those applicants must also pay for that background check. The background check is conducted by finger printing the person. The finger print is then fed into the FBI criminal database.

But there is no policy to conduct background checks on teachers already in the classroom. There is not even a random testing policy. State educators say if a current teacher gets arrested, the school district may not be notified of the arrest. They would have no way of knowing unless a police agency informs the district.

Mississippi Teachers

The updated vacancy list is provided monthly to prospective teachers who have registered with the placement service. Mississippi school district personnel are encouraged to report current vacancies to us each month.

If you are interested in becoming certified to teach in Mississippi, please contact the Office of Educator Licensure at or call 601-359-3483.

The Mississippi Teacher Shortage Act of 1998
This legislation is designed to reverse the teacher shortage.  Mississippi State funds are available for those interested in teaching as a career.  Now you can attend a Mississippi community/junior college, college, or university to prepare for a teaching career and have part or all of your bill - junior through graduate school paid.

There are 47 school districts eligible for the incentives and scholarships made available through funds from HB #609, the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act.

Click here for more information on the Praxis test series.

Click here for scholarship information and to apply for the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship.

Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program
In 1998 the Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 609, which addresses the critical teacher shortage in the state.  As a result of Section 13 of HB 609, the Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program was designed as an innovative partnership to address Mississippi's teacher shortage.  For more information mtfp@olemiss.edu