Dr. Erica Avent
Dr. Erica Avent is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education with the University of Mississippi. Prior to this position, she was the Coordinator with the the LuckyDay Residential College. She has inspired and motivated the children of Mississippi schools for 18 years, as a classroom teacher in grades 3-6 and school/district administrator. She served as a board member for the Mississippi Association of Educators. Additionally, she is a past mentor teacher with the Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program. She is a National Board Certified Teacher who earned her Ed.S, M.A., and B.A from the University of Mississippi. In 2020, she received her Ed.D in Elementary Education with an emphasis on African American teacher recruitment and retention in K-12. She has expertise in community engagement, teacher mentorship, and student success in K12. She is a seasoned educator who has developed community initiatives and programs targeting the inclusiveness of African American students and communities. She has presented at national conferences around her work. She has researched and presented on the barriers that African American students and teachers face in public education. Her focus has been on helping to diversify the teacher pipeline so that all students can see representations of African American teachers in their schools. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-erica-avent/