Expert citizen teachers; provide rate of compensation for those employed in critical shortage areas.

HB 165 would allow Mississippi school districts facing critical teacher shortages to employ "expert citizen" teachers (licensed professionals with relevant field experience but not traditional teaching credentials). The bill’s key provision lets districts credit these individuals with 3/4 of a year of teaching experience for each year of their professional/vocational expertise, advancing them toward salary steps typically reserved for certified teachers. This would directly affect shortage-area schools and non-traditional educators seeking career progression. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.