Abstract: The Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program at Mississippi State University (MSU) was implemented to assist in addressing the teaching shortage in the state of Mississippi. TMI was connected with the Learning and Educating through Alternative Programs (LEAP) Scholarship in January of 2011 as a way to earn certification in special education. During the 2013-14 school year, the U.S. Department of Education advised the LEAP directors to begin focusing on the mentoring aspect of scaffolding best practices for new teachers. This presentation will focus on program successes over a six year period and validate the need for individualized mentoring of beginning teachers.