Bachelor of Science - Elementary (Teacher Assistant Pathway)

What is PANTA?

 

Professional Advancement Network for Teacher Assistants

The Professional Advancement Network for Teacher Assistants (PANTA) initiative provides an undergraduate teacher residency designed to meet the needs of working paraprofessionals, particularly teacher assistants, in school settings. The approach expands access to the elementary education undergraduate program through a hybrid blended learning experience which places the student in the driver’s seat as to how they can best interact with the class.

Teacher candidates (also known as teacher residents) participating in the PANTA initiative are given the choice to interact live face-to-face in the university classroom or synchronously online alongside sustained real world experiences in the field. The live class meetings are also scheduled in a hybrid format just one or two afternoon/evenings per week with a heavy emphasis on field experiences, so teacher candidates have better flexibility to meet the demands of working in a school setting and completing the necessary coursework.  The course delivery is complemented by high level support from our Academic Advising and Career Center and well as assigned mentors in the field placements.

 

Partner School Districts

The PANTA initiative partners with public school districts across the state of Mississippi and in six Alabama counties including Sumter, Green, Choctaw, Hale, Marengo, and Clarke.  A key component of PANTA’s residency model is valuing the rich experiences afforded by sustained experiences in a particular setting for as much as possible while providing some manageable diversity of experiences.  For most participating residents, this means completing field assignments primarily in the elementary classroom that they currently participate as a teacher assistant or other paraprofessional and participating in alternate settings to complete specific grade level related assignments as necessary.

 

Academics

The PANTA initiative was built on the Partnership Pathways established with partner community colleges (coursework can be accepted from other regionally accredited colleges and universities). Those plans can be found at the following site: https://www.meridian.msstate.edu/prospective-students/partnership-pathways/

The following is the typical course sequence for the residency model assuming the student has completed all lower-level coursework at a Mississippi community college or other accredited institution for the elementary program with middle level concentration which leads to K-6 licensure with subject endorsement in two areas. Please see an MSU advisor for specific guidance regarding completion of lower-level coursework and endorsement coursework.

 

REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO MSU’S TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM (PHASE II):
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on 44-hours of coursework (including the MSU General Education Requirements) and overall GPA of at least 2.5
  • Grades of at least C in all coursework
  • Two recommendation forms
  • Verification of 40 hours work experience with children/youth
  • Criminal background check from approved source
  • Purchase a 7-year subscription to Watermark
  • ACT Composite of 21 or higher OR SAT composite of 990 or higher OR Praxis Core scores of at least Reading=156, Writing=162, and Math=130

 

JUNIOR YEAR – EARLY BLOCK (16 hours)

Course

Hours

Course

Hours

EDE 2521 - Intro to Elementary Education

1

**RDG 3123 - Early Literacy II

3

**EDE 3123 - Early Childhood Education

3

**EDE 3443 - Creative Arts

3

**RDG 3113 - Early Literacy I

3

EDX 3213 - Individual Instruction Exceptional Child

3

 

JUNIOR YEAR – MIDDLE BLOCK (15-18 hours)

Course

Hours

Course

Hours

**EDE 3223 - Middle Grades Education

3

**EDE 3523 - Foundations of Elementary Math

3

**RDG 3413 - Middle Level Literacy I

3

EPY 4103 - Behavior Analysis for Behavior Tech

3

**RDG 3423 - Middle Level Literacy II

3

Endorsement Course if Needed

3

 

REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET PRIOR TO MAKING APPLICATION FOR THE TEACHING INTERNSHIP (PHASE III):
  • *Overall GPA of at least 2.5 and content area GPA of at least 2.5
  • *Grades of C in all concentration area coursework and all professional/pedagogical coursework
  • *Proof of having registered for the Praxis Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and the Principles of Learning and Teaching Grades K-6, Foundations of Reading examinations

 

SENIOR YEAR – RESIDENCY BLOCK I (15 hours)

Course

Hours

Course

Hours

**EDE 4113 - Teaching Elem/ML Science

3

**EDE 4143 - Teaching Elem./ML Social Studies

3

**EDE 4123 - Teaching Elem/ML Mathematics

3

**RDG 4133 - Integrating Language Arts in Content

3

TECH 4763 - Digital Tools for 21st Century Teaching 3    

 

SENIOR YEAR – RESIDENCY BLOCK II (15 hours)

Courses

Hours

Courses

Hours

**EDE 4886 - Teaching Internship

6

**EDE 4896 - Teaching Internship

6

**EDE 4883 - Managing the Elem/Middle Level Classroom

3

 

 

 

REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET PRIOR TO MAKING APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION (PHASE IV):
  • Last 62 hours must be completed at the senior college level
  • Residency met (i.e., complete ¼ of the junior and senior hours in residence at MSU)
  • Completion of all courses with grades of at least C

**NOTE: Students must be admitted to the MSU Teacher Education program prior to enrolling in these restricted education courses.

***NOTE: Questions about approved course substitutions should be directed to the MSU education advisor.

Please visit the undergraduate catalog for specific details regarding degree completion at http://www.catalog.msstate.edu/

In as little as four semesters post community college transfer, the resident who has successfully completed all requirements will be eligible to apply for a K-6 grade Mississippi teacher’s license with endorsements in two areas. The university’s goal in the partnership is to produce a day-one ready certified teacher but will continue to provide support through the resident’s first year.  The university will also encourage the resident to continue further study at the graduate level (see Accelerated Master Teacher Program listed later in this document).  Please visit the Office of Clinical and Field-Based Instruction and Outreach website for the most up-to-date licensure requirements at https://www.ocfbi.msstate.edu/

Advisor

Amy Poole McMinn portrait

Amy Poole McMinn
Academic Advisor

Phone: 601-484-0153
Fax: 601-484-0139
E-mail: amcminn@meridian.msstate.edu