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UAB Alternative Masters Program, Calera Middle, education degree — Teaching history is Austin Dennis’ happy place. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

When he was growing up in Alabaster, Austin Dennis dreamed of a variety of careers, including astronaut, paleontologist and President. As he got older, he knew he wanted to make a tangible positive impact on people’s lives.

Little did he know the path would lead to becoming an award-winning social studies teacher, by way of an education degree with UAB School of Edcuation’s Alternative Master’s in Education Program.

Meet Austin Dennis, 2022 Shelby County First-Year Teacher of the Year

UAB School of Education, Calera Middle School, Alternative Masters Program, education degree — Austin Dennis teaches at Calera Middle School. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Austin Dennis graduated from Thompson High School before choosing to study political science at The University of Alabama.

Upon graduation, he took a job in the beverage industry, then enrolled in UAB School of Education’s Alternative Master’s in Education Program, where he studied from the fall of 2020 to the spring of 2022, when he received his education degree.

A lover of reading and sports, he now lives in Vestavia with his girlfriend Faith and their German Shepherd Willow.

In 2022, he was honored as the Shelby County First-Year Teacher of the Year for his work as a social studies teacher at Calera Middle School.

Ready for your next step? Check out the UAB School of Education’s Alternative Master’s in Education Program today.

Education degree: Q + A

UAB education degree — A small selection of books in Dennis’ history classroom. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Bham Now: What made you decide to enroll in the Alternative Master’s in Education?

Dennis: “As I approached the end of my time as an undergraduate student, I realized that one of the ways I could be most effective in my goal of making real, positive changes in people’s lives would be to use my passion for history and politics to become a teacher.

By doing this, I could show our future citizens and leaders that our past and our actions matter, that our voices can create change and that it is our duty to be actively involved in our government.

Teaching allows me to begin planting these seeds in young people’s minds and to give them the tools to continue developing those ideas on their own.”

Bham Now: How did the UAB School of Education’s Alternative Masters in Education prepare you for your current role teaching social studies?

Dennis: “I am extremely grateful to the UAB School of Education because the Alternative Master’s in Education gave me all the tools I needed for a successful start to my career.

My professors helped me to learn how to make history engaging for students, how to help learners develop valuable life skills, how to adapt to the needs of a variety of types of learners and much more.”

Austin Dennis — Teaching is a great way to make an impact. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Bham Now: Can you speak to the relationships you developed in the program?

Dennis: “During my time at the UAB School of Education, I made incredibly strong connections with both peers and professors.

My peers and I worked extremely closely throughout the program to better each other, and several of us continue to do that now, despite teaching in different settings and grade levels.

My professors were another source of positive growth, as they guided us through new challenges and were always willing to lend advice and encouragement.”

Bham Now: How did the UAB School of Education’s Alternative Master’s in Education influence your First-Year Teacher of the Year award?

Dennis: “Being awarded Shelby County First Year Teacher of the Year is a testament to everyone that I was involved with at the UAB School of Education and the incredible colleagues that I have around me at Calera Middle.

Both of these groups have consistently demonstrated how to build meaningful relationships with students, how to make history engaging and interesting and how to navigate any number of obstacles that may arise.

Through their examples, I was able to move through my first year of teaching feeling confident and prepared.”

Bham Now: What would you say to someone who is considering the program?

Dennis: “I would absolutely encourage someone to pursue this program. The connections that you will make, along with the skills and knowledge you will gain, make the UAB School of Education’s Alternative Master’s in Education an easy choice.

It will leave you prepared and excited to join one of the most rewarding careers.”

Bham Now: What is a lesson that you learned at the UAB School of Education that has stuck with you?

Dennis: “My response to this would be understanding the importance of adaptability.

Things are constantly changing in the schools, in individual classes and with singular students.

Adaptation is the key to meeting their needs and creating an environment that supports and challenges them.”

Alternative Master’s in Education at the UAB School of Education

The Alternative Master’s Program (AMP) is designed for individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in a field outside of education and who want to become certified teachers with a master’s degree in education (M.A.Ed.). The AMP is offered in the following areas:

*Check back in August 2024 for the UAB School of Education’s revised Alternative Master’s Programs in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education.

Meet another graduate of UAB’s School of Education and learn about her experience with the Educational Leadership Program.

Take the next step in your education career. Register for an information session today.

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