Teacher Apprentice Liaison

Location: Hattiesburg, Mississippi (118 College Drive, 39406-0001)

Part-time (10-month, August–May), grant-funded position.

About the Role

The Teacher Apprentice Liaison is a key support professional for teacher apprentices—preservice candidates employed as teacher assistants in Mississippi school districts while completing USM’s online elementary education coursework. The Liaison builds strong, supportive relationships to foster professional growth and success in the classroom, serving as a consistent point of connection between the university and partnering school districts to ensure aligned expectations, responsive support, and improved communication.

Responsibilities

• Engage in on-site visits for instructional coaching and mentorship, tracking apprentice progress toward program competencies.
• Serve as a liaison between teacher residents, mentor teachers, school administrators, and the University.
• Support and/or deliver professional development in teacher preparation and teacher mentorship.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the teacher apprenticeship program through recruitment, outreach, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Attend university meetings and programs, including professional development, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in elementary education, educational leadership, or a closely related field.
• Five years of classroom teaching experience in an elementary or closely-related classroom.
• Reliable transportation for school visits within the assigned territory.

Skills

• Knowledge of educator preparation and all populations and cultures.
• Skill in database management, including gathering, maintaining, and accurately reporting data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and other software applications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Educator License.
• Ten years of classroom teaching experience or combined 10 years of teaching and school administration experience.
• National Board Certification.
• Experience mentoring pre-service or first-year teachers.
• Experience delivering professional development.
• Prior experience supervising/teaching elementary students.

About the University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a community-engaged Carnegie R1 research institution serving over 13,000 students in Hattiesburg, Long Beach, across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and online. Known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety, and communication disorders, Southern Miss is a national leader in disciplines such as cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development. The university offers programs in emerging fields like computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering, while addressing workforce shortages in education and nursing. Accredited in four major areas of the arts, Southern Miss is one of only 36 public institutions nationwide with this distinction. Home to the Golden Eagles, the university’s 17 NCAA Division I sports teams compete with a culture of passion and persistence, preparing graduates for lifelong success.