Mississippi has struggled for over two decades to keep qualified teachers in the classroom, especially in the Mississippi Delta. This is basically a whole generation of Mississippians that likely didn’t get an adequate education. Aallyah Wright and Kelsey Davis, Mississippi Today Delta reporters, were awarded the Hechinger Report 2018 Educating Children in Mississippi Fellowship to report on the critical teacher shortage and its implications for students and communities. This series includes three stories. One focuses on the teacher side, one focuses on students and one explores community-based solutions. The first story provides context for information about how we got to this point, including data on chronic underfunding in the school system. Teachers will also share their experiences with obtaining certification. The second story features parent and student stories that explain why this matter and how it impacts students and the learning environment. The third story focuses on different organizations working to alleviate the teacher shortage crisis and help teachers obtain certification. The story also details the recent initiatives taken by the state Department of Education to support teachers in areas of critical shortage to receive additional support in obtaining licensure. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.