News - School of Education

Ennis to lead multi-tiered training grant with Alabama State Department of Education

Dec 8, 2022

An MTSS is a proactive and preventive framework that integrates data and instruction to maximize student achievement and support students’ social, emotional and behavioral needs from a strengths-based perspective.

$1.14 million grant awarded to UAB to advance special education

Dec 6, 2022

The five-year IPPSE grant will address the critical personnel shortage in education by graduating participants early, making a difference in the lives of P-12 students with disabilities in the Birmingham metro area.

Grief during holidays: stages, types and coping tips

Dec 5, 2022

A UAB expert provides information on tackling sadness and grief over the winter holiday season.

UAB School of Education receives full, national CAEP Accreditation

Dec 2, 2022

Countless faculty, staff, students and partners contributed to the CAEP accreditation efforts by designing assessment instruments, analyzing processes and data, and writing the required report.

Kinesiology major graduates to pursue physical therapy dream

Dec 1, 2022

Mull will graduate in the fall undergraduate commencement ceremony Dec. 10 in Bartow Arena with her degree in kinesiology.

UAB fall commencement is Dec. 9-10

Dec 1, 2022

At least 1,270 students will walk in two commencement exercises this fall at UAB.

Education Student Presents Research at Mid-South Educational Research Conference

Nov 29, 2022

A University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education student recently presented research as the only undergraduate student at the Mid-South Educational Research Conference's annual meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Voltz and Corcoran Awarded $1.14 Million Grant from U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs

Nov 29, 2022

The UAB School of Education Receives a $1.14 Million grant to recruit, train, and retain special education teachers and school psychometrists in Birmingham Metro Area Schools.

Ennis to Lead Multi-Tiered Training Grant with Alabama State Department of Education

Nov 29, 2022

The Alabama State Department of Education has recently launched a $600,000 grant project focusing on developing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for school districts in Alabama over the next two years, with experts from UAB leading the charge.

UAB’s SafeZone celebrates 20 years of providing LGBTQ+ education and training

Nov 22, 2022

For two decades, UAB’s SafeZone has been training and educating faculty, staff and students on LGBTQ+ identity and social justice.

The UAB School of Education Receives Full CAEP Accreditation

Nov 17, 2022

The University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Education received national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) on May 1, 2022.

UAB Online ranked No. 15 by Newsweek on ’23 list of America's Top Online Colleges

Nov 17, 2022

With dozens of degree programs catering to students wishing to complete coursework online, UAB Online received a national recognition for its commitment to online learning.

Keep the flu out of your home, classrooms and work

Nov 16, 2022

Simple steps like handwashing, sanitizing, disinfecting surfaces and avoiding physical contact can help prevent flu at home, school and work.

Emma Terry wins 2023 Miss UAB Scholarship Competition

Nov 15, 2022

Terry also won the Social Change, Talent and Spirit awards, earning a total of $3,300 in scholarships.

12 honored for excellence in teaching

Nov 14, 2022

Twelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2022 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Graduate School.

UAB’s research funding tops record $715 million for FY 2022

Nov 10, 2022

The university continues its five-year streak of record growth in research and development.

Cleared for Travel

Nov 2, 2022

Cleared for Travel Study abroad changes lives. Here’s how UAB is giving more students the chance to go. Story by Matt WindsorPhotos courtesy of Education Abroad, Kenya Barnes, Tanner Caton, Arielle Griffin and Valtena Rosenblum

Three UAB Alumni Share Why Kinesiology Prepared Them for Physical Therapy School

Oct 25, 2022

October is National Physical Therapy Month. To celebrate, we asked recent alumni of the UAB Kinesiology program that have gone on to pursue careers as physical therapists o share their journey and experience in our program.

Needs matter: Factors that increase suicide risk for college students

Oct 20, 2022

In his published research, Zhai found that food insecurity and depressive and anxiety symptoms are risk factors for suicide among college students.

Kyle Adams and Ummu Bah are the 2022-2023 Mr. and Ms. UAB

Oct 10, 2022

The Mr. and Ms. UAB Scholarship Competition is one of UAB’s longest-standing Homecoming traditions. Each winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship and serve as an ambassador of UAB.

UAB professors lead charge of Seal of Biliteracy for Alabama

Sep 22, 2022

Chambless and Spezzini’s efforts guided the course of action for Alabama’s Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes students’ proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.

“So much love and support”: International student completes master’s degree despite pandemic setbacks

Aug 5, 2022

John Chen will graduate with his master’s degree from the School of Education and thanks all the faculty and students at UAB for helping him succeed.

UAB summer 2022 graduation ceremonies are Aug. 12-13

Aug 5, 2022

More than 1,700 students will graduate from UAB this summer, and nearly 1,000 will walk in two commencement ceremonies at Bartow Arena.

Easing the back-to-school transition for children with disabilities

Jul 29, 2022

Tips on how to successfully transition a child with disabilities from summer to fall schedules.

UAB Kinesiology Student Accepted to Prestigious Physical Therapy School

Jul 29, 2022

Leo Jacobs, a senior Kinesiology major with a concentration in Exercise Science from Danville, Alabama, has been dreaming about continuing his collegiate journey at the #1 physical therapy program in the country - Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine.

“Stay in the fight, and you will find a way to win”: UAB alumnus and instructor competes in The World Games 2022

Jul 14, 2022

Matthew McKenzie, UAB instructor and alumnus, will represent the Blazers and Team USA on the international stage during The World Games 2022.

We asked UAB’s women senior leaders to share advice for young professionals — here’s what they said

Jul 1, 2022

Earlier this year, UAB was recognized as one of just 13 institutions ranked as national leaders in racial and gender diversity in leadership. We asked 12 women senior leaders to answer one question: What advice would you give a young woman who aspires to a career like the one you've achieved? Read their answers.

Four tips for staying active in the office

Jun 15, 2022

Five UAB experts provide advice on getting started, finding a group, staying motivated and coping with weather. Plus: how to run a successful walking meeting.

Winners of UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Awards announced

Jun 8, 2022

Celebrate the professional achievements of this year’s UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Award winners June 16.

4 tips for staying active at UAB

Jun 2, 2022

Advice from five fellow employees on getting started, finding a group, staying motivated and coping with weather. Plus: how to run a successful walking meeting.

Ways to Promote Mental Health and Reduce Stigma

May 31, 2022

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, Yusen Zhai, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of the UAB Community Counseling Clinic, shares ways to promote and reduce the stigma over mental health illnesses.

Mental health tips for children during summer

May 27, 2022

UAB’s Dayna Watson, Ph.D., recommends four ways to help keep children’s mental health in great condition once the final school bell rings.

Six tips to improve your mental health

May 16, 2022

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, UAB experts provide six ways to improve mental health.

Students, Alumni, and Community Partners Honored at 2022 Spring Awards Ceremony

May 6, 2022

The University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Education hosts an annual awards ceremony for high-achieving students, alumni, and community partners nominated by programs for their commitment to academic excellence or their respective fields and community.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Retta Evans

May 3, 2022

Retta Evans, Ph.D., MCHES is a full professor of Community Health and Human Services in the School of Education's Department of Human Studies and serves as the graduate program director for the Ph.D. program in Community Health Promotion.

In-person UAB commencement set for Bartow Arena on April 29, 30

Apr 25, 2022

More than 2,600 students will graduate from UAB this spring. Approximately 1,600 students will walk in one of the university’s three ceremonies.

Five tips to help manage stress

Apr 19, 2022

A UAB mental health expert provides five ways to help manage stress levels.

Stretching: types, health benefits and more

Apr 13, 2022

Incorporating stretching in your daily routine can significantly improve your flexibility and range of motion and help manage stress.

Five Tips to Help You Manage Stress from a Mental Health Counselor

Apr 5, 2022

April is Stress Awareness Month, a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Dayna Watson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in the UAB Counseling Program, specializing in mental health counseling in children, adolescents, and young adults, compiled a list of tips to help you manage your stress levels.

How to Become a Teacher Through Our Alternative Master's Program

Mar 31, 2022

Rachel Benoit is a local art teacher and student in our Alternative Master of Arts in Education in Visual Arts program. Her journey to becoming a teacher didn't start when she was a freshman in college. Instead, her journey began shortly after graduating from Spring Hill College in 2018.

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed society

Mar 14, 2022

COVID-19 changed the way we communicate, care for others, educate our children, work and more. Experts from UAB weigh in on these changes.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Julie Paul

Feb 22, 2022

Julie Paul is an assistant professor of Early Childhood Education and the Grant Coordinator for the Project IMPACT-PD for the English as a Second Language program in our Department of Curriculum and Instruction.As a two-time alumna of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education, a former classroom teacher, and growing up in a multicultural family, her passion for teaching bilingual children has always been her driving force.Paul initially began her teaching career in Madrid, Spain, where she taught English to native Spanish speakers in adult and elementary settings. Eventually, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama, to teach in the Birmingham[…]

Serving the youth of Alabama: UAB professor provides mental health kits to students

Feb 22, 2022

Martez Files, Ph.D., delivered 1,000 mental health kits to youth in rural Alabama during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Tonya Perry

Feb 21, 2022

Get to know our next faculty spotlight, Dr. Tonya Perry! Tonya Perry, Ph.D., is a Professor and the Executive Director for GEAR UP Alabama and Red Mountain Writing Project.

Celebrating UAB School of Education Alumna and Olympic Gold Medalist, Vonetta Flowers

Feb 17, 2022

Twenty years ago, on February 19, 20002, Vonetta Flowers, a Birmingham, Alabama native and alumna of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education, won gold in the U.S. Women's Olympic bobsled competition in Salt Lake City, Utah. This monumental achievement gave her the honor of being the first Black person and African American to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. It also earned her the title of being the first person from Alabama and the first woman to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.

The SAT is changing - what does this mean for high school students?

Feb 14, 2022

Recently, The College Board announced that the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will be completely online starting in 2024. This announcement has resulted in many questions from parents, high school students, and administrators across the nation. Scott Snyder, Ph.D., Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Department of Human Studies, is an expert on measurement and an advisor to the Alabama Department of Education on testing and school accountability issues. Below, Snyder provides factual answers to frequently asked questions regarding college admissions testing and the new format's impact on students preparing to take the SAT in Alabama. Why are[…]

Endowed Scholarship Created for ESL Educator

Feb 10, 2022

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees recently established the Dr. Julia S. Austin Endowed Scholarship for graduate students in the School of Education (SOE). This endowment celebrates the career of English as a Second Language (ESL) educator Julia S. Austin, Ph.D.

The keto diet and its health benefits

Feb 7, 2022

Ketones, ketogenic diet, ketosis — what does it all mean? UAB expert Eric Plaisance, Ph.D., explains the ketogenic diet and the known health benefits it produces.

Ennis is the 2022 Early Career Research Award recipient

Feb 3, 2022

Martin J. Kauffman Distinguished Early Career Research Award received by Ennis is one of the most prestigious international awards in special education.

Teaching Civil Rights To Middle Schoolers

Jan 31, 2022

The UAB School of Education's mission is to develop and share knowledge to support education, health, and wellness professionals who serve diverse worlds in urban and rural contexts. Jeremiah Clabough, Ph.D., who is an associate professor in our secondary social science education program, is doing just that with his civil rights education research program. Dr. Clabough is working on a project with social studies teachers at I3 Academy in Birmingham, Alabama, to thematically teach civil rights issues to sixth graders.The project aims to expand social studies and civil rights teachings in K-12 schools to help students connect civil rights issues throughout[…]

Online programs at UAB ranked among the country’s best, according to U.S. News rankings

Jan 24, 2022

Online programs across numerous UAB schools and departments continue to excel year after year, according to U.S. News rankings.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Josie Prado

Jan 13, 2022

Meet Assistant Professor of English Learner Education, Dr. Josephine (Josie) Prado!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes That Inspire SOE Faculty and Staff

Jan 11, 2022

To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLKDay 2022, we asked our faculty and staff at the UAB School of Education to share their favorite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quotes and reflect on his powerful words. These quotes are attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but the sentiments shared were all provided by the listed faculty and staff.

An Informative Response on the Ketogenic Diet and Its Known Health Benefits

Jan 5, 2022

Ketones, Ketogenic Diet, Ketosis – what does it all mean? written by Dr. Eric Plaisance Ketones are among the most underappreciated byproducts of human metabolism – they play a vital role in extending the survival of humans in the absence of food. Additionally, ketones have emerged as a practical and effective dietary approach to weight loss and maintenance.

Treating Birmingham residents for a decade: UAB Community Counseling Clinic turns 10

Jan 5, 2022

UAB’s Community Counseling Clinic celebrates 10 years of providing affordable counseling to Jefferson County and Greater Birmingham residents.

Turning New Year’s exercise resolutions into realistic, long-term habits

Dec 28, 2021

Often New Year’s health resolutions are lofty and fall short after people lose momentum. Setting achievable and realistic health and fitness goals enables people to create long-term habits, says one UAB School of Education professor.

Robinson appointed in NIH Advisory Committee for Research on Women’s Health

Dec 27, 2021

A UAB researcher will serve on the advisory committee to promote women’s and minority health, and other gender-related health disparities.

Robinson is first at UAB to receive prestigious IDD scholarship

Dec 22, 2021

The Master of Science in Instructional Design and Development program prepares students to effectively design, develop and evaluate learning in a variety of environments, such as health care, business, government and higher education.

Setting boundaries with loved ones: why it is important and how to do it

Dec 22, 2021

Being able to set boundaries about topics you may or may not want to discuss is important during the holiday season. Learn more about how to guide these conversations.

Running her own race, Tolliver graduates with honors and future dreams as a Blazer

Dec 10, 2021

Ebony Tolliver’s love of running and passion for health sciences led her to both successful academic and athletic careers while a Blazer.

‘I never gave up’ – Blazer tenaciously graduates with honors after setbacks

Dec 10, 2021

Ashley Penrod put her education on hold and served as the main caretaker for her father after he received two different cancer diagnoses. After seven years, she will graduate with honors at the UAB graduate commencement ceremony.

Cullman native Elizabeth Miller named as Miss UAB 2022

Dec 7, 2021

Elizabeth Miller of Cullman, Alabama, is the new Miss UAB.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Gordon Fisher

Nov 23, 2021

Say hello to Kinesiology Professor Dr. Gordon Fisher!

UAB’s banner year boosted higher by record extramural funding

Nov 18, 2021

Collective strength of the research enterprise leads to almost $849 million in research grants and awards for FY 2021.

Sullivan awarded $600,000 grant to support preservation of LGBTQ history

Nov 9, 2021

A UAB doctoral candidate received a $600,000 grant to further her work in promoting the preservation of LGBTQ history.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Summerlin

Nov 1, 2021

Meet Dr. Jennifer Summerlin, a three-time UAB alumna and Assistant Professor in our Reading Education program!

UABTeach to partner with state and national agencies to connect STEM teachers with rural Alabama students

Oct 14, 2021

UABTeach will serve as the pedagogical core of the Alabama Rural Learning Accelerator by providing faculty and interns as virtual educators and tutors to students in Bullock County.

Faculty Spotlight: Sam Cauffman

Oct 4, 2021

Meet Sam Cauffman, a visiting instructor in the School of Education's Department of Human Studies. Cauffman teaches Kinesiology and is an alumnus of the program as well!

More progress, less stress: Top takeaways from the Faculty Success Program

Oct 4, 2021

Faculty who took part in the 12-week summer course, made possible by UAB’s National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity membership, explain why the program is so successful at boosting productivity and healthy balance.

Helping teachers see the beauty in Black language

Oct 1, 2021

Teaira McMurtry, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Education, is using funding from the UAB Faculty Development Grants Program to provide Alabama teachers with tools, strategies and lesson plans to understand the power of Black language.

1850s horror Twitter, recursive propaganda, mapping mutations: Faculty grants seed new projects and nurture careers

Oct 1, 2021

Projects selected for the UAB Faculty Development Grants Program offer an intriguing look into the creativity and range of research and scholarship on campus.

UAB Alumna Establishes First-Ever Instructional Design and Development Program Scholarship

Sep 28, 2021

Thanks to a generous gift by UAB School of Education Instructional Design and Development (IDD) Alumna, LaQuinchata (LaQuin) Taylor (M.S. 2019), students in our IDD program have a brand-new scholarship opportunity beginning in Fall 2021. The Instructional Design and Development Program Scholarship will award two $500 scholarships each academic year.

Ask yourself these 5 questions before choosing an ESL master's program

Sep 24, 2021

Students and faculty explain the life-changing lessons they have learned in UAB’s English as a Second Language graduate programs.

UAB School of Education celebrates International Literacy Day with local students

Sep 22, 2021

UAB School of Education students and faculty spent time reading and engaging with local area elementary school students in celebration of literacy advocacy.

School of Education donated 479 books to Glen Iris Elementary

Sep 17, 2021

The book donation enabled each student to self-select a book to read with their families and add to or start their home librar

The UAB School of Education Celebrates International Literacy Day with Local Elementary School

Sep 16, 2021

On September 8th, 2021, the UAB School of Education, Glen Iris Elementary School, The Maryann Manning Family Literacy Center (MMFLC), and the IMPACT-PD grant team, funded by the USDE's Office of English Language Acquisition, came together to celebrate International Literacy Day (ILD).

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Paulette Evans

Sep 15, 2021

Meet Dr. Paulette Evans, clinical instructor and director of our STEM-focused UABTeach program. She's a 4x UAB alumna and was a UAB School of Education student for three out of her four degrees.

Blazer Spotlight: Abby Chaplin

Sep 7, 2021

Choosing a career path should never be taken lightly. Senior, Elementary Education major, Abby Chaplin knows how important selecting a degree and career path can be, and she encourages current students to try lots of different paths as an underclassman.

UAB offering free online community English language classes

Aug 25, 2021

The UAB School of Education is offering free online English courses to the community this fall.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif (BAS)

Aug 20, 2021

Meet Dr. Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif (Dr. BAS, for short), an assistant professor and program coordinator of our Higher Education Administration program! Dr. BAS, for short, has been working in higher education for over 11 years as a faculty member and as a student affairs and services administrator.

Summer commencement will be virtual at UAB

Aug 3, 2021

In response to increasing case numbers and hospitalizations and in consultation with UAB infectious disease and public health experts, UAB is canceling large indoor events to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Keith Gurley

Jul 23, 2021

Meet Dr. Keith Gurley, an associate professor of Educational Leadership within the SOE Human Studies department. Dr. Gurley has been a professor at our school since 2013 and has spent most of his career focused on school leadership and the vital roles within schools that impact the overall success of students, teachers, and school systems.

12 honored for excellence in teaching

Jul 22, 2021

Twelve faculty have been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2021 honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College and the Graduate School.

Samuel named first-place graduate winner at the Minority Student Research Symposium

Jul 7, 2021

UAB graduate student Shekwonya Samuel participated in a research project to address a lack of representation of minority populations in biomedical research.

SOE Ph.D. Student Selected for Prestigious Fulbright International Education Administrators Award

Jun 25, 2021

Stacye Fraser Thompson, an Educational Studies for Diverse Populations Ph.D. candidate in the School of Education, has recently been selected to receive the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) award for Germany in November 2021.

Judd: Alabama does not have high enough immunity to eradicate SARS-CoV-2

Jun 10, 2021

Immunity levels are keeping state case levels manageable for now, but the current vaccination rate will not end COVID and likely will lead to continued outbreaks.

Education Building demolished to make way for Science and Engineering Complex

Jun 2, 2021

The building’s razing is a first step toward constructing the new Science and Engineering Complex, which will be home to the university’s basic sciences programs. Watch a timelapse to see the building come down in less than a minute.

UAB professor nominated for book award on learner and user experience design

May 19, 2021

Yvonne Earnshaw, Ph.D.,’s co-edited book on learner and user experience design received more than 30,000 hits within five months of being published online.

Winners of UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 awards announced

May 13, 2021

Celebrate the professional achievements of this year’s UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 award winners during a virtual ceremony Thursday, June 24.

UAB in-person commencement ceremonies at Legion Field are April 30-May 1

Apr 26, 2021

At least 1,951 graduates will walk in three ceremonies. Senator James T. “Jabo” Waggoner will be awarded the UAB President’s Medal.

UAB to host in-person commencement at Legion Field on April 30, May 1

Mar 15, 2021

All 2020 graduates and spring 2021 graduates are invited to participate. Masks will be required, and there is no limit on guests; but everyone will need to be socially distanced. Parking will be free.

Power in the Pages

Apr 14, 2020

A UAB educator chooses America's top children's books Story by Charles Buchanan • Photos by Andrea Mabry

50 Ways We’ve Changed Birmingham, Alabama, and the World

Dec 17, 2019

50 ways UAB has changed Birmingham, Alabama, and the world Story by Charles Buchanan, Brett Bralley, and Jay Taylor • Editorial contributors: Matt Windsor and UAB Public Relations • Images from UAB Archives, Rachel Hendrix, Andrea Mabry, Sarah Parcak, Steve Wood, and Getty Images • Web design by Tyler Bryant

Ennis Receives Inaugural Award for Interventional Research

Aug 19, 2019

Robin Ennis, Ph.D., associate professor of collaborative education in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education, has been named the inaugural Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders Interventionist.

UAB School of Education Announces New Strategic Plan

May 9, 2019

The UAB School of Education is excited to introduce a new strategic plan which will guide the school through 2024. Faculty, staff and leadership of the School of Education worked diligently all year to create a strategic plan that represents the new phase in the school’s history.

English as a Second Language Program Celebrates 20 Years

May 9, 2019

On April 30, 2019, the English as a Second Language held a program celebrating 20 years of ESL teacher education at UAB. Since the first ESL methods course was offered in 1999 by Dr. Julia Austin, the program has grown to offer graduate degrees at the Master’s and Educational Specialist levels.More than 200 faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the ESL program attended the event, where they celebrated major milestones of the program, including more than $10 million in grant funding over the years to help English Language Learners across the state, including Jefferson, Shelby, and Etowah counties.In the two[…]

Diane McWhorter Lecture Closes the School of Education's Critical Conversations Book Series

May 8, 2019

On Wednesday, April 3, the UAB School of Education, along with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Student Affairs, hosted author Diane McWhorter for a series of events surrounding her Pulitzer prize-winning book Carry Me Home. McWhorter's book contains interviews with activists and Ku Klux Klan members and presents FBI and police records about the civil rights battle in Birmingham. A native of Birmingham, McWhorter describes personal memories of her time as a child in the South during the 1960s.

Mental Leaps

Apr 29, 2019

UAB experts help Alabamians overcome barriers to mental health care Story by Gail Allyn Short • Editorial Contributors: Emily Henagan, Tiffany Westry Womack • Illustrations by Rachel Hendrix

UAB School of Education Top-Ranked Graduate School of Education in the State of Alabama by U.S. News & World Report

Mar 15, 2019

U.S News & World Report has just released their 2020 rankings and the UAB School of Education is among the top 100 graduate schools of education in the nation. The UAB School of Education is now ranked 85th among all schools of education in the country. This historic leap upward of 27 positions has resulted in placing the UAB School of Education as the highest ranked graduate school of education in the state of Alabama.

Magic Maker

Sep 18, 2018

Sandy Naramore creates lifetime experiences for Alabama’s children Story by Jess Simpson • Illustrations by Michelle Hyde

Daniel Receives Outstanding New Advisor Certificate of Merit from NACADA

Jul 12, 2018

Rachel Daniel, undergraduate academic advisor in the School of Education, has been awarded a Certificate of Merit by NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising.

SOE Alumnus and Cancer Survivor on Track to Finish Master’s Degree, Despite Obstacles

Jul 2, 2018

The word "survivor" means many things to many people, but for 24-year-old Rashad Hayes it's one more opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life. Whether it’s sharing the story of his poverty-stricken childhood or his experience with homelessness or his battle with cancer while in college, the Enterprise, Alabama, native knows what it means to be a survivor.

Community Counseling Clinic Offering Group Counseling for Parents of Adolescents

May 29, 2018

The UAB School of Education Community Counseling Clinic is offering parenting skills group counseling. Join with other parents in a supportive environment and learn about topics such as parenting styles and responsibilities, understanding stages of childhood, exploring the role of self-esteem, and promoting positive behavior.

SOE Partnership with Brookwood Forest Elementary Helps Create Stronger Teachers

Apr 25, 2018

By Nathan Pitner, Principal, Brookwood Forest Elementary, and Cora Brasfield Causey, Ph.D., UAB School of Education It is Wednesday and the carpool lines at Brookwood Forest Elementary School are watching some fifty college students walk a quarter mile up a hill in misting rain to join the school’s learning for the day. Space in the building is limited and the parking lot is too full for the additional traffic, yet all parties are excited about the sight. “In my day, I walked up a hill in the rain to school,” is indeed one of the most exaggerated clichés used to[…]

Zeta Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Honors Students, Alumni

Mar 9, 2018

On Saturday, February 24, the Zeta Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an honor society for students, counselors and counselor educators, held its annual initiation and awards ceremony. The ceremony recognized this year’s scholarship recipients, an inductee into the Counseling Hall of Fame, and new student initiates to the Zeta Chapter.

Second Language, First Priority

Mar 8, 2018

Students learn how to teach English everywhere By Gail Allyn Short • Photo by Steve Wood

Get Moving this Summer or Fall with a Kinesiology Activity Course

Mar 6, 2018

Kinesiology activity courses are a fun way to earn credit and get moving during your day. The following courses are open to all undergraduates:

Get Moving this Spring with a Kinesiology Activity Course

Oct 25, 2017

Kinesiology activity courses are a fun way to earn credit and get moving during your day. Courses are open to all undergraduates. This spring, we’re bringing back racquetball along with the courses listed below.

21st Century Literacies Conference: Investigate, Innovate, Integrate

Oct 23, 2017

The Red Mountain Writing Project (RMWP) and The Maryann Manning Family Literacy Center within the UAB School of Education are excited to announce this year's literacies conference, which will be held December 1-2, 2017, on the campus of UAB. Faculty, students, alumni, and educators from near and far are invited to join 300+ guests as we welcome literacy experts and nationally renowned authors Dr. Doug Fisher, Dr. Nancy Frey, and Dr. Diane Lapp. Join us as they present interactive sessions on topics centered on literacy in resource limited settings, independent reading in the 21st century classroom, and increasing student access[…]

School of Education Invites UAB Campus to GEAR UP Alabama Information Session

Sep 13, 2017

The UAB School of Education will host a GEAR UP Alabama informational and open house Wednesday, Sept. 20. The campus community is invited to learn more about GEAR UP Alabama. The UAB School of Education will host a GEAR UP Alabama informational and open house Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the Education Building. The informational will take place from 1-2 p.m in EB 146. The open house will follow, from 2-4 p.m in EB 126.

Regional TESOL Conference to Feature Speakers and Presenters from the UAB School of Education

Sep 13, 2017

Join faculty, students, and alumni of the UAB School of Education at the Southeast Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (SETESOL) conference, October 4-7, 2017, in Birmingham, Alabama. This year’s conference is expected to attract over 600 educators from 11 states in the Southeast and beyond. More than 200 presentations will take place during the four day conference on topics in the areas such as early childhood education, advocacy and culture, and content instruction. Keynote speakers will include Dr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California and Dr. Paulette Dilworth, VP for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at[…]

Former Teacher Grants Wishes for Seriously Ill Children

May 19, 2017

In her new job, former special education teacher and assistant principal Sandy Naramore makes dreams come true for children suffering from serious illnesses and conditions. Back in April, the UAB School of Education selected Sandy Naramore as the Outstanding Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Alumna for 2017. The honor came just four months after she took the reins as executive director of Magic Moments, a nonprofit that grants non-medical wishes for youngsters suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

New Exercise Physiology Lab Makes Its Debut

May 19, 2017

When UAB kinesiology professors needed a new teaching lab, the School of Education created a high-tech space that would take the program to a new level. In the past, undergraduate exercise science, sports physiology and performance, and physical education students at UAB conducted kinesiology experiments in the Bell-Wallace Gymnasium and the School of Health Professions. But last fall, the SOE, with monies from the Provost’s Office, renovated two adjacent, first-floor classrooms to create a new exercise physiology lab.

Long-Time Mental Health Advocate Fights On

May 19, 2017

Anne Bruno LaRussa has worked for years to bring affordable mental health services to women and children in Birmingham. And she’s not done yet. Birmingham native Anne Bruno LaRussa’s journey to becoming a mental health counselor started in the 1980s when she worked at a local community college advising older women who had returned to school to earn their degrees.

Online Graduate Programs Rise In U.S. News & World Report Ranking

May 19, 2017

The UAB School of Education’s online graduate programs got a substantial boost in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Online Programs" for 2017. Among schools of education, the magazine rated the UAB SOE at No. 29 in 2017 for its online programs, up from No. 95 in 2016. The new ranking puts the SOE among the top 10 percent of the nation’s schools of education with online programs. “I believe the SOE rose in the ranking thanks to the hard work and commitment of the faculty, administration and staff within our school to provide continual professional development and resources that[…]

UAB Adds New Master’s Degree in Instructional Design

May 19, 2017

The School of Education is offering a new master’s program that promises to prepare students for one of the country’s most in-demand professions. The job outlook for instructional design and development is one of the brightest in the country.

Journeys of Hope

Mar 16, 2017

Alumni on the front lines of the world's refugee crisis By Gail Allyn Short

UAB’s ESL Program Enjoys Funding Success

Dec 20, 2016

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program is enjoying more than $10 million in federal funding this year.

UAB Grad Fights for Economic Justice, Healthcare in the South

Sep 29, 2016

When Corey Wiggins, MSPH, Ph.D., enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education’s Health Education/Health Promotion doctoral program in 2006, he knew wanted to make a difference in his home state of Mississippi.

Called to Serve: UAB Alumna Aids Service Members, Disabled Veterans

Sep 29, 2016

“I always wanted to be a teacher and to help somebody”, says University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education alumna Constance Burns. Burns grew up in Birmingham. She later earned her bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in history and secondary education from the UAB School of Education in 1972 and 1974 respectively.

UAB Grad Named Alabama Teacher of the Year

Sep 29, 2016

When it comes to the state Teacher of the Year contest, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education grads are on a winning streak. Birmingham native Dana Jacobson is the 2016-2017 Alabama Teacher of the Year. She is the sixth UAB School of Education alum, and the fourth in four consecutive years, to win the state’s top prize. The past winners are: Ann Dominick, Ed.D., (1999); UAB Associate Professor of Education Tonya Perry, Ph.D., (2000); Alison Grizzle, Ed.D., (2013); Anne Marie Corgill (2014); and Jennifer Brown (2015).

STEM Matters: A Q&A With Melanie Shores, Ph.D.

Sep 29, 2016

Since 2014, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education Associate Professor Melanie Shores, Ph.D., (Department of Human Studies) and Associate Professor Tommy Smith, Ed.D., (Department of Curriculum and Instruction) have been co-executive directors of the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA).

How UAB is Transforming Education in the Black Belt

Sep 29, 2016

Eighth-grader Zamarian Bryant, 13, arrived at the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus one morning last May with 95 fellow students from Greensboro Middle School in Hale County.

New Faculty Member Wins Major Education Research Grant

Sep 29, 2016

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education researcher Robin Parks Ennis, Ph.D., has won a grant of nearly $395,000 from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) for a study on how to motivate youngsters suffering from learning and behavioral disorders.

The Seven-Year Switch

Sep 21, 2016

A bold education initiative could change the outlook for Alabama's Black Belt By Gail Allyn Short

Reading, Writing, Rights

Sep 21, 2016

How teachers fought for civil rights in Birmingham By Charles Buchanan

Doctoral Student Named UAB School of Education’s Inaugural Cramer Morgan Fellow

Aug 5, 2016

Joy Barros, a Pensacola, Florida, native and graduate student pursing a doctorate in heath education/health promotion, has been named the University of Alabama at Birmingham's inaugural Cramer Morgan Fellow.

Cauffman Receives ACSM Travel Award

Jul 1, 2016

Samuel Cauffman, a graduate student in the UAB School of Education, is the recipient of the 2016 Steven M. Horvath Travel Award by the American College of Sports Medicine. Cauffman is pursuing a master’s degree in exercise physiology in the Department of Human Studies.

Reaching the World: UAB Students Become Peace Corps Volunteers

May 11, 2016

Susan Schell remembers the first day she arrived in Prilep, Macedonia, in September 2014. As a student in the UAB Master of Arts in Education for Teaching English as a Second Language program, she had dreamed of working overseas. So she looked forward to volunteering at the vocational high school in the southeastern European nation.

Read What Dr. Gurley Says About Leadership

Apr 30, 2016

Lessons in Leadership by D. Keith Gurley, EdD : Presented at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony : University of Alabama at Birmingham : Alys Stephens Center : April 30, 2016

Teachers and Therapists Connect to Help Young Children with Disabilities

Apr 28, 2016

Young children with developmental delays or disabilities often rely on a team of professionals to teach them to walk, talk, read, write, or conduct other daily tasks. But often, the members of those teams—early intervention and early childhood special education teachers, physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists—don’t learn to rely on each other until they are on the job.

The Ties That Bond

Mar 16, 2016

Teachers and therapists connect to help young children with disabilities By Gail Allyn Short • Photos by Steve Wood

Alumni Spotlight: UAB Grad Assists Children, Families in Crisis

Mar 11, 2016

Since earning his M.A., in counselor education, Eddie Sharpe has made it his mission to help young victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect.

UAB Peer Educators Tackling Health and Wellness Issues

Mar 11, 2016

On campus, a group of UAB Community Health and Human Services majors and other volunteers are teaching their fellow classmates how to stay healthy and well.

Lessons in Diversity

Mar 11, 2016

The UAB School of Education has launched a new Educational Studies in Diverse Populations Doctoral Degree Program designed to prepare professionals who can conduct research and lead innovation that enhances educational, health, and life outcomes for diverse populations. Classes are set to begin this fall.

Insightful Reads for Spring 2016

Mar 11, 2016

UAB School of Education faculty publish multiple books and journal articles every year.

UAB School of Education Offers Nonprofit Management Certificate

Mar 11, 2016

UAB students can now earn a Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in Community Health as well as a certificate in nonprofit management.

School of Education Celebrates Philanthropic Milestones

Mar 11, 2015

UAB School of Education faculty are working hard every day to change the world.

UAB School of Education Hosts Research Roundtable

Mar 11, 2015

School administrators spend long hours each week attending meetings, planning curricula, setting budgets and writing reports. Consequently, their schedules often leave them little time for tasks such as researching new instructional methods or conducting studies to identify more effective ways to mentor teachers.

New Leadership Named for the Center for Urban Education

Mar 11, 2015

The UAB School of Education has named Associate Professor Tonya Perry, Ph.D., as the new director for the UAB Center for Urban Education (CUE), effective Jan. 1, 2015. She succeeds Associate Professor Tondra Loder-Jackson, Ph.D.

Teaching in the Digital Age

Mar 11, 2015

The popularity of online courses and degree programs at American colleges and universities has increased in recent years.

School of Education Grad Brings "CSI" to the Classroom

Mar 11, 2015

When UAB School of Education alumna Harriet Callahan graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1966, she planned to study pathology, she says. But her race toward a career in science took a detour after her freshman year in college when she married her husband, a fellow student.

Former Exercise Science Student Climbing to New Heights

Mar 11, 2015

Billy Brown, 23, of Birmingham, says his love for the outdoors had a lot to do with his decision to earn a degree in exercise science at UAB.

NIH Study Shows Resistance Training Helps Fight Weight Regain

Mar 11, 2015

While dieting to shed those extra pounds can be challenging, keeping the weight off can be a much tougher feat. But a new study in the September issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise by UAB Kinesiology Distinguished Professor Gary Hunter, Ph.D., says resistance training may be the key to maintaining weight loss long term.

UAB Alumna Sees War’s Impact on Children

Mar 11, 2015

“In my time, it was taboo for girls to continue their education after high school,” UAB School of Education graduate Ebtesam Rababah, Ph.D., says.

UAB Educational Leadership Student Selected for Prestigious Residency

Mar 11, 2015

On most days, one can find Meagan Fields teaching a room full of first graders. But this fall, for the entire semester, she has left the classroom behind to experience what it is like to be a school principal.

Measuring Success: UAB Center Helps Leaders Make Data-Based Decisions

Mar 11, 2015

Inside the UAB School of Education, a group of researchers are evaluating reform initiatives and programs run by P-12 school districts, universities, nonprofits and state and local government agencies across the country.

Program Helps Youngsters “GEAR UP” for College

Mar 11, 2015

Poverty in Alabama’s Black Belt is as deep and pervasive as the rich soil the region is known for. It is where the median income languishes at $28,656, far below the statewide average of $42,081. It is where only 46 percent of high school seniors go on to college.

UAB’s Sandra Sims, Ph.D., Honored at the ASAHPERD Fall Conference

Mar 11, 2015

The Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD) honored UAB alumna and Associate Professor Sandra Sims, Ph.D., at the organization’s Fall Conference Awards Luncheon on Nov. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – Wynfrey Hotel.

Educational Leadership Grad Finds Game Plan for Success

Dec 1, 2014

UAB educational leadership alumnus E. J. Brophy, Ed.D., says that during his freshman and sophomore years of college, he cared more about improving his skills on the baseball field than in the classroom.

Center for Exercise Medicine Names Distinguished Lecture Series after Researcher Gary Hunter

Mar 2, 2014

Gary Hunter, Ph.D., knew pretty quickly that something was up when he stepped to the front of a packed Finley Conference Center to deliver the Center for Exercise Medicine’s recent lecture and saw his wife Becky standing in the back of the room.

UAB SOE Alumni Serve As Alabama's Top Teachers

Mar 2, 2014

Alabama Teacher of the Year is much more than a title on a plaque. It’s a reward that carries great responsibility for the winning educators, who become the voice of teachers across the state. Here, three UAB School of Education alumni who have received the prestigious honor describe their time as education advocates.

Creating a Learning Community: New Collaborative Partners SOE with Birmingham City Schools

Mar 2, 2014

UAB has long been committed to solving the unique educational challenges that exist in urban school systems. To that end, the UAB School of Education has joined with Birmingham City Schools to announce its Innovative Learning Collaborative—a partnership between faculty and students and Birmingham teachers, principals and the school system’s upper administration to form a learning community that improves education and benefits for students and all involved entities.

An Internship Reveals Connections Between Culture and Care

Mar 2, 2014

Sometimes an internship provides a unique cultural encounter as well as career experience. Just ask Susan Gay, a native of the Caribbean island of Barbados and 2013 UAB alumna, who has spent five months working with Native American tribes in Oklahoma.

Alumni Spotlight: Teresa Rae Broadhead

Mar 2, 2014

Name: Teresa Rae Broadhead (2nd from left, poses with her family)Degree(s) and Graduation Year(s): BA in Communicative Disorders 1991 University of Alabama, MAE in Special Education with a focus in Visually Impaired 2013 UAB, currently in internship for Orientation and Mobility Specialist UAB

Clinic Provides Valuable Service to Students and Community

Feb 28, 2014

Life is hard, but for people who live or work in the Birmingham area, the UAB School of Education’s Community Counseling Clinic is here to help.

Grants Allow UAB to Expand EL Efforts

Feb 28, 2014

Three grants totaling more than $5 million for effective instruction of English learners (ELs) will enable UAB’s School of Education to continue its decade-long tradition of training Alabama teachers to instruct children who speak English as a second language.