Through our Hall of Fame in ESL Teacher Education, we congratulate the many UAB students and alumni who have earned awards, honors, and distinctions. However, in order to make sure that our ESL Hall of Fame includes all award winners, we need everyone's help. We look forward to hearing from you about any other award-winning UAB students and alumni so that their names can also be added to our Hall of Fame.
Dr. Susan Spezzini, Program Director and Professor of English Learner Education
Hannah Rodgers, UAB alumna and ESL Teacher at Pelham Middle School in Pelham, Alabama, participated in the National Education Association Foundation's Global Learning Fellowship program in 2018. The fellowship included a full year of professional development focused on global education, a workshop in Washington, DC, and a 9-day international field study in South Africa. Hannah is pictured here visiting Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa.
Sarah Hicks, UAB alumna and ESL Teacher at Thompson Middle School in Alabaster, Alabama, was one of 35 educators from the United States and Canada to be selected for the 10th annual class of National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows in 2016. The Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program gives K-12 classroom teachers the opportunity to foster excellence in geographic education. Exemplary educators like Sarah Hicks are recognized for their commitment to geographic education and given the opportunity to travel aboard the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet, giving educators the chance to enhance their geographic knowledge with hands-on field experience and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms and local communities.
UAB School of Education Awards - ESL Graduate Program Outstanding Students and Alumni
2022
Outstanding Educational Specialist - TESOL
Sally Anne Perz
UAB English Department
Outstanding Master's
Samantha Baker
PreSchool Tallassee
Outstanding Alternative Master's
Alder Feroce
Birmingham City Schools
Outstanding Master's Non-Certification
John Chen
UAB Community English Program
Outstanding Alumna
(Janet) Lynn Fuller
Madison County Schools, MS
Outstanding Service
Lisa M. Preston
Webmaster, UAB's ESL grants & AMTESOL
2021
Outstanding Educational Specialist
Karen Hammonds
Attalla City Schools
Outstanding Master's
Eunice Virginia (Jenny) Stone
Madison County Schools
Outstanding Alternative Master's
Marisol Torres
Gadsden City Schools
Outstanding Master's Non-Certification
Meghan Walker
Graduate School UAB
Outstanding Alumnae
Amanda Rodgriguez & Brandi Smith
Alabaster City Schools
Outstanding Service
Dr. Elisabeth Davis
Assistant State Superintendent of Student Learning, ALSDE
2020
Honors Student
Courtney Glenon
Hanceville
Outstanding Educational Specialist
Emily Day
Gadsden City Schools
Outstanding Master's
Anna Suthoff
Opelika City Schools
Outstanding Alternative Master's
Christy Iwuaba
Birmingham City Schools
Outstanding Master's Non-Certification
Lantong Huang
China
Outstanding Alumna
Julie Caine
Shelby County Schools
Outstanding Service
Heath Grimes
Superintendent, Russellville City Schools
UAB Honors Convocation Awardees - ESL Teacher Education Program
2022 Sydney Sneed, Mountain Brook Schools
2021 Amy Murphree, Jefferson County Schools
EL Specialists for Alabama State Department of Education
2020
Cheryl Michelle Lee, Education/EL Specialist
Mayte Cotton, Montgomery Public Schools
Rebecca Padin, Birmingham City Schools
Susan Penton, Geneva County Schools
Robin Stutts, Madison City Schools
2019
Cheryl Michelle Lee, Education/EL Specialist
Mayte Cotton, Montgomery Public Schools
Susan Penton, Geneva County Schools
Robin Stutts, Madison City Schools
Krista Whatley, Bessemer City Schools
Other Awards and Honors
US Department of State Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Travel Grant
Abby Becker (2018)
ESL Teacher, Hall-Kent Elementary
Homewood City Schools
National Education Association Global Learning Fellowship
M. Hannah Rodgers (2018)
ESL Teacher, Pelham Park Middle School
Pelham City Schools
National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow
Sarah Hicks (2016)
ESL Teacher, Thompson Middle School
Shelby County Schools
Motivating Woman's Award, Birmingham International Center
Georgia Miller (2014)
ESL Teacher, Homewood Middle School
Homewood City Schools
Nominee for Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame (awarded by Jacksonville State University)
Danelle Cash (2014)
French Teacher, Hoover High School
Hoover City Schools
Sevim Whitaker (2008)
ESL Teacher, Rocky Ridge Elementary School
Hoover City Schools
US Department of State English Language Fellow
Carey Chappell (2010)
ESL Teacher
Shelton State Community College
Outstanding New Teacher of the Year
Darcie Miller (2011)
ESL Teacher, Austin High School
Decatur City Schools
Darcie Bouvier (2010)
ESL Teacher, Austin High School
Decatur City Schools
Support Staff of the Year
Frankie Perez (2010)
ESL Bilingual Aide, Thompson High School
Shelby County Schools
Rotary Club Teacher of the Year
Anne Betbeze (2009)
ESL Teacher, EPIC Elementary School
Birmingham City Schools
Tyler Bryant (2009)
ESL Teacher, Glen Iris Elementary School
Birmingham City Schools
Jenny Harvey (2002)
ESL Teacher, Homewood High School
Homewood City Schools
Center for Urban Education, Advanced Studies Scholarship
Cindy Ponder (2010)
ESL Teacher, Kermit Johnson Elementary
Jefferson County Schools
