AUM senior reflects on journey to becoming AUMTeach’s first graduate

Auburn University at Montgomery senior JaNiya Bevelle only saw dental school in her future as part of her college journey.

Her mother challenged her to see something different.

“My mother worked for the Bessemer Board of Education for over 20 years. She saw firsthand what schools actually need and she had to drill into me that there was a teacher shortage,” said Bevelle, who began her academic journey at AUM as a biology major. “She also wanted me to have a backup plan in case I experienced burnout before attending dental school.”

What began as a backup plan for Bevelle soon became a new career path through AUMTeach, which allows students pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields such as biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science to earn a minor in education and teaching certification alongside their degrees.

In December, Bevelle will make history as the first graduate of AUMTeach when she walks across the stage at fall commencement to receive her bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in pre-health science and minor in STEM education. She will also earn a Class B teaching certification in secondary biology education.

Bevelle will reflect on her AUMTeach experience during the program’s Show and Tell event at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, in the Taylor Center. The event will bring together campus and community stakeholders, including invited representatives from the Alabama STEM Council, state lawmakers and education officials, to learn more about the program and its impact on future STEM educators.

“Being AUMTeach’s first graduate is honestly such an honor, and it means more to me than I can put into words,” Bevelle said. “When I first started college, I never imagined that I would be in this position. My college journey has challenged me in so many ways, but it has also helped me grow into a person I probably wouldn’t have recognized when I first started.”

As AUMTeach’s first graduate, Bevelle sees her accomplishment as more than a personal milestone. It also represents new possibilities for future students in the program.

Through AUMTeach, students gain opportunities to build their confidence and professional skills by participating in research conferences and other extracurricular activities. This year, Bevelle was one of three AUMTeach students to present research at the 2026 UTeach STEM Educators Conference in Austin, Texas.

“AUMTeach has challenged me, pushed me, and helped me grow in ways I never expected, but I’m also an example for future AUMTeach students,” she said. “I hope my journey shows other students that sometimes the opportunities you least expect can lead to some of your greatest accomplishments.”

AUM launched AUMTeach as a minor in Spring 2023 with a $2 million grant from the Alabama Legislature, partnering with local school districts — Montgomery Public Schools, Pike Road Schools, Elmore County Schools and Selma City Schools — to allow students to teach in elementary schools. The program’s first cohort received scholarships to complete its required eight courses.

“I remember my very first field experience in an elementary school,” Bevelle said. “I was so nervous, and looking back, I honestly don’t know why I was so terrified of fourth graders! But through classroom experiences, observations, and encouragement from my professors and mentors, especially [AUMTeach

Academic Advisor and Recruiter Molly Trammell,] I gradually became more confident.”

Through AUMTeach, Bevelle said she also learned that teaching is so much more than standing in front of students and explaining information.

“AUMTeach has taught me how to create lesson plans, manage a classroom, adapt instruction to meet students’ needs, and most importantly, believe in my ability to lead a classroom,” she said. “These are skills I’ll carry with me regardless of where my career takes me.”

The most rewarding part of the AUMTeach program is building connections with students, Bevelle said.

“Seeing how relationships can develop with students in the classroom has reminded me that teachers can make an impact beyond the lessons they teach,” she said. “Students have so many different personalities, so building those connections doesn’t always happen overnight.”

After graduation, Bevelle plans to use her teaching certification to teach science while continuing to work toward her long-term goal of pursuing a career in dentistry.

“One thing I appreciate about my educational journey is that it has allowed me to develop more than one passion,” she said “I’ve always been interested in health care, but AUMTeach helped me discover how much I also enjoy working with students and being in the classroom.”

Graduation will mark a full-circle moment for Bevelle, who went from being afraid to enter a classroom to being sad about leaving the ones behind that offered her a new career opportunity.

“I see teaching as an opportunity to continue growing professionally, make a difference in students’ lives and share my love for science while preparing for the next chapter of my education,” she said.

As she approaches graduation, Bevelle remains thankful for her mother’s advice. Without her mother’s encouragement, she wouldn’t have had the courage to look beyond what she once thought was impossible.

“Teaching wasn’t necessarily part of my original plan, but my mom encouraged me to give AUMTeach a try and explore the opportunity,” she said. “I decided to take her advice, and looking back, I’m so glad I did. What started as something my mom encouraged me to try turned into an experience that helped me grow personally and professionally. I never imagined that taking that chance would lead to me becoming the program’s first graduate. Sometimes your parents really do know what’s best, even when you don’t see it at first!”

Bevelle encourages AUM students to explore the opportunities offered through AUMTeach.

“Sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone to discover what you’re truly capable of,” she said. “I hope being the first AUMTeach graduate encourages other students to take that chance and pursue opportunities that may seem intimidating at first. Being first is an honor, but what would mean even more to me is seeing many more students complete the program after me.”