UABTeach Program Achieves Record Retention and Largest Math & Science Teaching Cohort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2026

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UABTeach program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, supported by The Alabama STEM Council via the Alabama Department of Workforce, is reporting strong student retention with a record number of STEM majors progressing toward graduation with the additional bonus of earning their teacher certifications. The state-funded UTeach Alabama program, also supported by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, encourages science and math majors to add the education courses required to graduate with a STEM Bachelor's degree and an Alabama teaching certificate. This achievement will markedly address the science and math teacher shortage in Alabama, laying a stronger foundation to prepare the next generation of STEM educators in Alabama.

During Fall 2025, the UABTeach program enrolled 132 in their introductory course. Of those students, 89 elected to continue in the program for Spring 2026, representing a 67.4 percent retention rate, which is the largest retention rate in the program's history. The impactful initiative also reached a new milestone this semester with 15 teachers participating in classroom placements, marking the largest teaching cohort UABTeach has ever recorded.

UABTeach is part of the broader UTeach Alabama network, which is designed to recruit and prepare STEM majors to become STEM certified middle and high school teachers. Through early classroom experiences and structured coursework, students gain practical teaching skills while completing their STEM degrees.

"Strong recruitment and retention in the UTeach courses demonstrates that our science and math students are discovering a real interest in teaching and seeing the value of bringing their STEM knowledge into the classroom," said Dr. Cynthia McCarty, Acting Director of The Alabama STEM Council. "Programs like UABTeach are critical to strengthening Alabama's pipeline of highly qualified STEM educators."

Alabama leaders continue to emphasize the importance of growing the state's STEM teacher workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. By providing early teaching experiences and strong academic preparation, programs like UABTeach help ensure that more Alabama students have access to high-quality STEM education.

The Alabama STEM Council and the Alabama Department of Workforce work with education, workforce, and industry partners across the state to expand STEM learning opportunities and strengthen Alabama's future workforce.