Southern Miss Helps Teacher Assistant Take Next Career Step as Educator
Mon, 12/08/2025 - 10:39am
Holly Hall
Holly Hall has gained invaluable experience working as a teacher assistant at Steen鈥檚 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 91少女集中营 (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 (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鈥檚 coursework.
鈥淗olly has already made a remarkable impact in the classroom where she serves as an apprentice,鈥� Teacher Apprentice Program Coordinator Haley McCaffrey said. 鈥淪he 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.鈥�
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 鈥渉ave been nothing but encouraging and supportive鈥� along the way.
鈥淓ven though my experience was fully online, the instructors were interactive and made every class feel personal and engaging,鈥� Hall noted. 鈥淐hoosing to enroll in this program has truly been one of the best decisions of my life.鈥�
Currently, Hall is a teacher apprentice through the Mississippi Center for Apprenticeships and Residency in Education (MCARE) at Southern Miss. After launching the state鈥檚 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.
鈥淥ur 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,鈥� MCARE Executive Director Andrea Krell said. 鈥淗olly 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.鈥�
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.
鈥淭he TAP and RTA have been a tremendous blessing,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淩eturning 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.鈥�
Hall lauded the free professional development opportunities (provided through RTA) as very beneficial.
鈥淓ven with eight years of experience in the classroom, I consistently learn something new and valuable at each session,鈥� she said. 鈥淪outhern Miss鈥� commitment to ongoing growth and learning is truly commendable.鈥�
Dr. Brett Stamm and Jaime Campbell, two of Hall鈥檚 instructors, made a lasting impression on her.
鈥淒r. Stamm鈥檚 weekly lectures were always relevant to real classroom experiences. His thoughtful feedback helped me grow as an educator, and it鈥檚 evident he has a genuine heart for helping future teachers succeed,鈥� Hall recounted. 鈥淢y 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.鈥�
Hall also acknowledged the support of Southern Miss Teacher Apprentice Program Coordinator Haley McCaffrey. 鈥淎ny time I have a question or need assistance, she (McCaffrey) is responsive and always points me in the right direction. I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the knowledge, encouragement and community I鈥檝e found at Southern Miss.鈥�
Dr. Stamm described Hall鈥檚 work as 鈥渙utstanding, thoughtful, reflective鈥� and 鈥渃onnected to her own experiences which are wide and varied鈥攃onnecting both personal and professional aspects of her life.鈥�
鈥淗olly is the ideal teacher we want working with students in our schools,鈥� Stamm continued. 鈥淪he 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.鈥�
Hall鈥檚 teaching philosophy formed through her work at Steen鈥檚 Creek and from being the parent of a child with a learning disability.
鈥淓ach student learns and behaves differently, and that diversity is what drew me to education,鈥� Hall explained. 鈥淚 also have a personal connection to this work鈥攎y 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鈥檚 my job to help them realize and reach their potential.鈥�
Ready for life after graduation, Hall has accepted a job offer as a resource teacher at Steen鈥檚 Creek beginning in January 2026. The Pearl, Miss., native and current Florence resident plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree from Southern Miss after completing her first year of teaching.
To learn more about TAP at Southern Miss, visit . Click for more information about apprenticeship benefits.