School of Education adds professorship focused on teacher candidate success
The School of Education at Mississippi University for Women is strengthening support for future teachers with the addition of a new faculty position dedicated to the teacher candidate experience.
“This new professorship will provide an additional measure of program strength and quality while also ensuring that we are consistently implementing meaningful best practices that strengthen and elevate the preparation of our teacher education candidates as developing professional educators,” said Dr. Martin Hatton, dean of the School of Education.
Made possible by the largest single gift to the School of Education, the Anne Holloway Dunn Professorship will provide student support and quality assurance throughout the school’s teacher preparation program by monitoring candidate progress, assessing feedback and serving as a liaison for faculty, staff, mentor teachers and School of Education leadership.
“Our goal is for candidates to understand not only what is expected of them, but why those expectations matter to their development as educators,” said Dr. Kelly Ballard, chair of The W’s Department of Education. “This role helps us continually assess whether we are providing them with the experiences, support, feedback and preparation they need to succeed.”
Education assistant professor Emily Ford has been selected to fill the inaugural Anne Holloway Dunn Professorship. Ford has served in various instructor roles for the School of Education since 2021 and taught elementary school in multiple settings from 2013 to 2020. Ford assumed the role with the start of the fall 2026 semester.
“Successful teacher candidates are reflective, responsive, professional and willing to grow,” said Ballard. “When we continuously examine candidate feedback, clinical performance, assessment data and the alignment between coursework and practice, we can identify where our programs are working well and where we need to improve.”
The School of Education at The W is supporting 86 teacher candidates across 27 Mississippi school districts.
The generous gift by the estate of Anne Holloway Dunn will additionally provide scholarship opportunities to the School of Education. Dunn was a member of the Mississippi University for Women Class of 1949, when the institution was known as Mississippi State College for Women. Dunn enjoyed a distinguished career in education as a respected school principal and lifelong supporter of her alma mater.
About the School of Education
The School of Education at Mississippi University for Women prepares educators who serve classrooms and communities across Mississippi through immersive clinical experiences, mentorship and strong partnerships that support future teachers from recruitment through graduation.
For more information about the School of Education at The W, please visit muw.edu/education.