UA launches Teach in Bama, a scholarship program to increase teacher education enrollment

Since 2013, the University of Alabama has seen a decrease in enrollment in undergraduate teacher education by 26% . In recent years, school districts across the country, and in Alabama, report a shortage of qualified teachers. A pipeline program created by the university, aims to get more students into the College of Education, and in return more teachers in the classroom. It's called, "Teach in Bama."

Teach in Bama scholarship program is a partnership between the University of Alabama and local school districts. Tuscaloosa City Schools is the first district in the state to fund student participation, but the program is open to students statewide. On March 19th, the Tuscaloosa City School Board unanimously approved joining the Teach in Bama program. The University of Alabama asks the school systems to allocate $5,000 per student for the program. In return, students become enrolled in two University of Alabama Early College Classes, a summer residential program, and the Teach in Bama Institute. Essentially completing 12 credit hours before their freshman year officially begins. Students will also have priority consideration for scholarships.

Tuscaloosa City School Board of Education hopes to have 10 students in the first year of the program. When the students accept, they will also agree upon graduation from UA, to come back and teach within the school system. Dr. Deron Cameron, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Tuscaloosa City Schools, says funding this program for students is investment for not just the student's future, but the school systems.

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"It's sorta like in football, you get the early recruiting, we have a great program at TCTA thats growing students in the education field. So we are going to funnel those students through this program. It's investing early in them, and we see a big reward at the end."

"We feel, the $5,000 per student, is going to pay us way more in the long run,. We want to get good teachers for our students, for our families, for our communities, We feel this is one way we can do that," said Cameron.

Aniyah Spencer is one of those students enrolled in the educational program at TCTA. Before she even graduates high school, she is already getting hands on experience in the classroom. As a junior she would be qualified to apply for the Teach in Bama Program.

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"I always wanted to be a teacher since I was little," said Spencer. " Once I came into the classroom with the kids, I was like yes I belong here."

Dr. Carlton McHargh with UA's College of Education has been working on the Teach in Bama Scholarship Program for more than a year.

" Higher education is not providing enough teacher for districts. I think this is a natural result that we will try come up with creative ways to increase the teacher education pool."

McHargh explains the program will get those numbers up by recruiting, preparing and retaining future teachers from their senior year in high school, to their time in a classroom, they call their own.

"We are going to be willing to work with them during their senior year of high school, I think that makes a big difference for students. They get the connection, they experience life on campus, they experience the support their gonna get on campus," said McHargh.

"We are going to have a model of advising that will be intrusive advising, so we will be in touch of these students so they will have additional support they'll have peer students and study sessions, all sorts of things throughout the program." said McHargh. "So we will work with them through their early college experiences, through their university experiences, and their first year out in the field we will be providing professional support for the teacher."

While TCS has in their agreement for students to come back and work for them upon graduation, every school district can have their own criteria. University of Alabama also has their own. Students must submit a personal statement, three recommendations, and earn a 3.0 high school GPA.

Teach in Bama is looking to recruit more school districts across the state into the program, and their students. Classes will start this fall. To find out more about the program, join virtual information sessions over Zoom. They will be on March 27th and 28th. Contact Dr. McHargh for the zoom link at mchargh@ua.edu.