The Mississippi Sex Education Training Cadre, organized by Teen Health Mississippi, offers specialized training and professional development to build the capacity of youth-serving professionals including educators, parents, counselors, clergy, clinicians and other askable adults.  Teen Health Mississippi recruits and trains experienced professionals to be a part of our sex education training cadre to facilitate trainings and professional development events for Teen Health Mississippi across the state. Members of the sex education training cadre deliver in-person and web-based training and professional development to youth-serving professionals who work in a variety of settings.

Sexual health educators need a unique set of skills to effectively teach high-quality sex education (i.e., evidence-informed,age-appropriate, and theory-driven). In a recent study of Mississippi sex education teachers, over 75% of teachers surveyed said they wanted more professional development and online resources to effectively teach sex education (Center for Mississippi Health Policy, 2015). The goal of this statewide cadre of trainers is to increase the capacity and comfort of sexual health throughout Mississippi, particularly in our CHART communities∗, so that they have the core skills and content knowledge to teach high-quality sex education.

In addition to school-based educators, the training cadre will also work with sexual health educators in other settings such as in community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, clinical settings, and after school settings. This statewide training cadre will be comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds (e.g., faith-based, community-based, school-based, etc.) and experience working with a variety of different populations and communities. Cadre members will also be spread across the state geographically, which will facilitate a larger reach.

By the end of the 2019-2020 school year, we hope our sex education training cadre will reach at least 150 sexual health educators across Mississippi with in-person, skills-based sex education training.

Mississippi Sex Education Training Cadre Members are contract positions located throughout the state. 

∗ The Creating Healthy and Responsible Teens (CHART) Initiative reaches middle and high school students in more than 30 school districts in 21 counties across Mississippi. Teachers in CHART districts are trained on Draw the Line/Respect the Line(middle school) and Reducing the Risk (high school), which are evidence-based sex education programs.

At least three years of experience providing professional development and training to educators in some way. Cadre trainers have extensive knowledge in the field of health and sex education due to professional development events for their own growth and learning each year.

A Bachelor and preferably Masters or related degree in the field of education, school health, public health, school counseling, school nursing, sex education, social work or related field.

Applications received by July. 20, 2019 will receive priority.  Strong preference is given to candidates residing in or near the Gulf Coast and Eastern Mississippi due to need.

Teen Health Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer.  Teen Health Mississippi will not discriminate against Employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but no limited to, veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability and/or age, or any other characteristic protected by law.