Story: Lisa Sollie

Since the launch of its competency-based education (CBE) program, the 宅男福利社 is working to move paraprofessionals into certified teaching roles more quickly to help address teacher shortages across the state.

Dr. Jan Miller serves as director of UWA鈥檚 competency-based education program, which launched January 2025 in the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education. Miller said the initiative builds on paraprofessionals鈥� existing classroom experience while equipping them with the skills and competencies needed to become certified educators. Candidates must have at least three years of classroom experience and be enrolled online in one of UWA鈥檚 three education programs: elementary education, early childhood, or special education.

Miller said the University worked closely with the Alabama State Department of Education to identify the exact competencies candidates must master before earning certification. Faculty conducted extensive assessments and curriculum mapping to ensure coursework aligns with state-defined standards.

Through an evaluation tool called 鈥淎re you ready for CBE?鈥� and a structured interview process, Miller reviews transcripts, work habits, and each candidate鈥檚 ability to work independently. She also assesses whether applicants are already serving in strong instructional roles and are prepared for the rigor of the program.

鈥淥ur model is accelerated, one-on-one, and very prescriptive,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淎lthough you might be enrolled in a course with 10 other students, you aren鈥檛 necessarily moving at the same pace or even completing the same modules.鈥�

Once enrolled in CBE, students take a 25-30 question multiple-choice pretest in each course. The assessment is not graded; instead, it measures prior knowledge and connects to course modules built around specific competencies.

After reviewing results, Miller may exempt candidates from modules or assignments within modules鈥攚here they have already demonstrated mastery. 

鈥淚 might say, 鈥楥ongratulations, you鈥檝e met the standards and competencies for Modules 1, 3, and 4. You only need to complete Modules 2, 5, and 6 to finish that course,鈥欌�� she explained.

Students then complete summative assessments, field-embedded assignments鈥攔eal work conducted in their own classrooms under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Candidates must demonstrate at least 80 percent mastery, proving not only content knowledge, but also the ability to effectively teach it.

Beth LaReau of Tuscaloosa was working at The Capitol School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while pursuing dual degrees in early childhood and elementary education online when she heard about competency-based education programs at UWA. As one of the program鈥檚 first two graduates, she said switching to the competency-based format allowed her to focus directly on the standards she needed to master.

鈥淚nstead of feeling like I had to move through everything at the same pace, I could really concentrate on what I needed to learn,鈥� LaReau said. 鈥淚t helped me understand the science and vocabulary behind what I was already doing in my classroom.鈥�

Another graduate, Katrina McGrady, who worked as a special education instructional aide in the Talladega County Schools while enrolled, said the program鈥檚 hands-on, practical structure stood out the most.

鈥淢y pre-assessment for integrated arts revealed I struggled with how to integrate art into math, so most of my assignments for that course focused on that,鈥� McGrady said. 鈥淥ne project鈥攁 tessellations assignment鈥擨 implemented with my sixth-grade students. They loved it, and it worked just like it was supposed to. This program teaches you things you can immediately implement in your classroom.鈥�

Stephanie Applegate, a paraprofessional at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary in the Tuscaloosa County School System for the past 23 years, agreed.

鈥淎ll my assignments are so classroom-centered,鈥� Applegate said.  鈥淵es, I鈥檓 getting the background knowledge I still need, but I鈥檓 applying it to real scenarios I鈥檒l face as a teacher. The work is rigorous, but it鈥檚 easier to see the relevance鈥攚hy I鈥檓 learning it and how I鈥檒l use it.鈥�

Through the self-paced structure, Applegate said the program has shortened her expected completion date to May 2026鈥攁 semester earlier than originally planned.

The program currently enrolls between 45 and 50 students, and Miller said interest continues to grow. While competency-based models exist in other disciplines and at other universities, she said similar approaches remain rare in teacher education. UWA鈥檚 program was the first of its kind in teacher education to receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has positioned the University as a pioneer in competency-based teacher preparation.

Miller said the university plans to expand competency-based offerings in summer 2026 with the launch of a master鈥檚-level CBE program in elementary, early childhood, and special education.

The graduate track will serve Alternative Class A (Alt A) candidates鈥攊ndividuals who already hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a non-teaching field but want to become certified educators. Rather than completing a traditional undergraduate education degree, Alt A students earn a master鈥檚 degree that leads to initial teacher certification. The competency-based format will allow these career changers to progress based on demonstrated mastery, potentially accelerating their path into the classroom.

Miller said the goal of UWA鈥檚 competency-based education programs is to produce competent, highly qualified educators more efficiently without compromising standards.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not lowering expectations,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e recognizing experience, honoring what candidates already know and focusing our time on what they still need to master. That鈥檚 how we get strong teachers into classrooms faster鈥攁nd that鈥檚 what Alabama needs.鈥�

For more information on UWA鈥檚 competency-based education programs, contact Jan Miller at (205) 652.3445 or jmiller@uwa.edu.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

T.J. Runyon has always been fascinated by human behavior. His journey has taken him from studying fossils alongside James Lamb at the 宅男福利社鈥檚 Black Belt Museum to now earning an undergraduate degree in during Fall 2025 commencement exercises. Next up for the new graduate is a master鈥檚 program in clinical mental health counseling. Through it all, Runyon has been driven by a deep desire to help others that he says 宅男福利社helped him clarify and pursue.

Runyon discovered 宅男福利社during one of his life鈥檚 greatest challenges. After a blood cancer diagnosis in 2016 left him with ample time to read, his love for science resurfaced, especially his early interest in paleontology.

鈥淚 was a big science nerd growing up until I discovered sports in the fourth grade and never looked back,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 even studied exercise science in college.鈥�

Family challenges later led him to leave school and enter the work force. While looking for ways to stay connected to paleontology, he met Lamb at UWA鈥檚 Black Belt Museum. There, he joined experts in the field for digs and spent countless hours working and spending time at the Museum.

鈥淚 really wanted to study paleontology. More specifically, I was interested in inferring behavior from the fossil record,鈥� Runyon said.

But as a non-traditional student who needed to work full-time, he soon realized that path wasn鈥檛 feasible. Exploring other 宅男福利社programs that aligned with his interests, Runyon chose to study psychology鈥攁nd after only two online classes, he fell in love with the field.

He said that completing coursework online required unique discipline, and he feels far more certain about his goals now than when he first entered college at 20. 鈥淎t 35, I鈥檓 more mature and can handle the load and responsibility better. And at UWA, it felt like my experience was more blended. I came to campus fairly often, attending sporting events, met routinely with my professors鈥攅ven had lunch with them a time or two.鈥�

Runyon now plans to enroll in UWA鈥檚 , with the long-term goal of becoming a psychoanalyst.

鈥淚鈥檓 also going to apply for a couple of mentorships and fellowships at psychoanalytic training institutes to supplement my graduate instruction,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檒l get my license and then spend another three to five years doing psychoanalytic training.鈥�

During his time at UWA, Runyon also co-authored a paper with Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg of the University of Montreal, published in the Journal of Psychology and Sexuality.

He is grateful for his opportunities at 宅男福利社and the supportive faculty, particularly Dr. Marti Herlong, an assistant professor of psychology. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been very influential in my journey, and a great mentor who guided me along the way,鈥� he said.  鈥淭here really is something about this place, and I鈥檓 excited to take my next step here.鈥�

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Story: Lisa Sollie

When Lashontrei Henton鈥檚 son, Caleb, was diagnosed with autism, she began keeping a notebook close by to capture her thoughts, questions, and observations. That notebook soon became an invaluable tool for identifying Caleb鈥檚 needs, eventually inspiring her to create My Variety Child: A Caleb Book Series 鈥� a three-in-one book about an autistic boy named Nicholas Caleb, which Henton published in December 2022.

Although Henton had always considered writing about her son鈥檚 journey with autism, it wasn鈥檛 until she enrolled in the 宅男福利社鈥檚 online Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) program that she gained the courage and confidence to pursue her dream of becoming an author. She credits the IMC program for providing her with a solid understanding of branding and marketing, which laid the foundation for shaping a clear identity for the series and creating campaigns that connected with audiences across various platforms. 鈥淓very course was exactly what I needed at the time,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 could apply what I learned in class immediately in the real world. The IMC program is so hands-on that you don鈥檛 have to wait until graduation to use your new skills.鈥�

Henton鈥檚 path to success wasn鈥檛 without obstacles. She faced severe health challenges, including losing her eyesight and undergoing a cornea transplant. She struggled with new technologies and apps and even failed one of her first-semester courses. But Henton鈥檚 determination remained unshaken. After retaking the course the following semester, she placed second in The BookFest庐, a virtual literary event that debuted in 2020. As a result, her book was featured in a promotional video in Times Square in New York City. 鈥淎ll I could do was be amazed at what God can do,鈥� she reflects.

Writing runs in Henton鈥檚 family. Her grandmother and aunt are both self-published authors; now, her 90-year-old grandfather has followed suit. For Henton, writing My Variety Child allows her to process the challenges she faces with her son and has a powerful impact on those around her. 鈥淜ids are going to be kids,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut now, because I have books about Caleb, other children are starting to say, 鈥極h, that鈥檚 Caleb鈥� he has his own books.鈥欌�� This recognition, she explains, has helped others be more supportive and less likely to tease him. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e more accepting now. Everyone knows his name. Caleb may not fully understand鈥� other than the fact he has a book with his face on it 鈥� but I鈥檓 seeing that the more we can help others understand, the better off everyone will be.鈥�

Henton believes the future of The Caleb Book Series is brighter than ever. Following the release of Troublemakers, the second book in the series published in 2023, a new title, Tantrums, is set to be released in 2025. This story explores how nonverbal autistic children express themselves to raise awareness and foster acceptance of autism. Along with her upcoming book, Henton has also launched the 鈥淚 Matter鈥� movement, reinforcing the series鈥� core message鈥攖hat every child matters鈥攂y providing children with self-love exercises and creative arts and crafts activities.

Henton says that because there will never be a 鈥減erfect time鈥� to do something, she encourages others 鈥渢o discipline yourself and take the first step.鈥� She says she believes that passion and dedication will attract others, and the challenges each person encounters will become their greatest testimony. 鈥淭ake life as it comes鈥� the good, the bad, and the ugly鈥攁nd make something meaningful out of it.鈥�

Copies of My Variety Child: A Caleb Book Series are available on Amazon . Also, check out Troublemakers: A Caleb Book Series

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