MSU-Meridian student honored as outstanding teacher intern

MERIDIAN, Miss.—A Philadelphia senior at Mississippi State University-Meridian is the Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education selection as the university’s top teacher intern for 2014-15.

Haley E. McFarland, a senior special education major at MSU-Meridian, completed her internship at both the middle school and the high school of the Union Public School District.

MACTE is the state’s principal professional association for college and university leaders responsible for educator preparation. At the conclusion of each academic year, it presents an Outstanding Teacher Intern Award to one student at each of the state’s 15 public and private institutions of higher learning. For more, see www.mississippi.edu/oasa/macte.asp.

Richard Blackbourn, MSU College of Education dean and current MACTE president, said McFarland “embodies the knowledge, skills, behavior and attitude that we strive for in all of our teacher candidates. She is to be congratulated for this significant accomplishment.”

His remarks were echoed by McFarland’s MSU-Meridian internship supervisor, who also cited the Neshoba Countian’s “strong work ethic” and ability to easily establish a rapport with the students in the Union district. 

“It truly has been a pleasure to have been involved in her journey through the teacher education program here in Meridian,” added Marge Crowe, assistant professor of special education. “We believe she will continue to make an impact on special needs students for years to come.”

When notified of her selection, McFarland said she was humbled at being chosen to represent the entire land-grant institution, adding that it was “an honor I could never have imagined receiving.”

Noting her desire to remain as close to home as possible while pursuing the degree, McFarland expressed appreciation that all her courses were just a 35-minute drive away.

Small class sizes and faculty members “that went above and beyond to help” were other major benefits. “Not only were they very knowledgeable about the content, but the stories they shared from their personal experiences in the field are what I will always remember,” she said.

“In almost every situation I faced during my student internship, I could refer back to something I learned in class or practicum to determine the best course of action,” McFarland said. “The program was everything I could have hoped for.”

Complete information about MSU-Meridian’s undergraduate education degrees is found at www.meridian.msstate.edu/academics/education/degree-programs/undergraduate.

MSU, the Magnolia State’s flagship research institution, is online at www.msstate.edu.