Profile of the Month - March 2007

Holly Dausen

Holly Dausen is a member of the Mississippi Teacher Corps Class of 2006. Holly graduated from Auburn University in 2003. Holly served as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 2004-2006 in the Philippines. Holly teaches Social Studies Callaway High School at Jim in Jackson. Holly grew up in Birmingham, AL.

Why did you join MTC?

After serving in the Peace Corps I wanted to help closer to home.

What has been the greatest challenge?

Getting up everyday. There are so many decisions that need to be made, so many things to stay on top of, that it is overwhelming.

What has been the greatest reward?

Being able to help some of my kids. Seeing them grow.

The Mississippi Teacher Corps is the most competitive alternate-route teaching program in the country. It is a two-year program that recruits recent college graduates to teach in critical-shortage areas in the Mississippi Delta, in exchange for a full scholarship for a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi. The program was founded in 1989 by Amy Gutman, a Harvard University graduate student, and Dr. Andy Mullins, then Special Assistant to the State Superintendent of Education. Since 1989 more than 350 participants, reaching an estimated 70,000 students, have taught in critical-needs school districts as part of the Mississippi Teacher Corps.