Toren Ballard is the Director of K-12 Policy at Mississippi First where he conducts research and advocacy for the purpose of improving Mississippi's public education system. Originally from rural Vermont, Toren taught social studies and physical education across every grade level in New York City until finding a passion for public policy and leaving the classroom for graduate school. After graduating from Columbia University Teachers College with a master's degree in Politics & Education, Toren moved south to Mississippi and has never looked back.