Students Recognized for Commitment to Teaching in Alabama
AAMU Honors Legacy Teacher Scholarship Recipients
Alabama A&M University recently recognized students selected for the Legacy Teacher Scholarship Program during a Scholars Recognition Ceremony. Dr. Larry Collier, Legacy Teacher Scholarship coordinator; Dr. Samantha Strachan, Legacy Teacher Scholarship program director; and Dr. Lena Walton, program founder, presented certificates and recognized scholarship recipients.
The Legacy Teacher Scholarship Program was created to strengthen Alabama’s P-12 education workforce by supporting students pursuing careers in teaching. The program provides financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in approved Alabama A&M University educator preparation programs leading to Class B or Class A certification.
Scholarship recipients may receive up to $5,000 per semester, or $10,000 per academic year, for a maximum of two years, totaling up to $20,000. In exchange, scholars commit to teaching in an Alabama P-12 public school for two years for every year they receive the scholarship, with a maximum service requirement of four years.
In addition to covering tuition and fees, the Legacy Teacher Scholarship provides reimbursement for required textbooks and vouchers for the Praxis II exam and the edTPA assessment. The program also supports professional development opportunities and annual professional association fees.
Eligible students must be juniors, seniors or graduate students at the time of the award, meet GPA requirements and demonstrate a commitment to serving as educators in Alabama public schools. Majors among this year’s recipients include special education, physical education, secondary education, elementary education and early childhood education.
The 2026 Legacy Teacher Scholarship recipients are:
Jac’Kiyah Bledsoe, special education, graduate, Birmingham, Alabama
Christopher Barnes, kinesiology, graduate, Chicago, Illinois
Jeremy Bellot, music education, graduate, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Taelor Hameen, elementary education, senior, Park Forest, Illinois
Jaloyn Hubbard, pre-elementary education, senior, Dora, Alabama
Naomi Jones, special education, senior, Detroit, Michigan
Angelena Lee, elementary education, senior, Birmingham, Alabama
Marvae Lee, physical education, senior, Evergreen, Alabama
Crystal Love, secondary education-general science, graduate, Tuskegee, Alabama
Michael McInnis, physical education, senior, Huntsville, Alabama
Adrian Pitts, special education, graduate, Opelika, Alabama
Ja’Merrian Stabler, physical education, senior, Scyrene, Alabama
Jason Stovall, secondary education-general social science, graduate, Atlanta, Georgia
Jaylen Ware, elementary education, senior, Huntsville, Alabama
Barry Williams, kinesiology, graduate, Birmingham, Alabama
Cornelius Williams, secondary education-mathematics, graduate, Huntsville, Alabama
Jalisa Williams, secondary education-biology, graduate, Madison, Alabama
Justin Woodrow, physical education, senior, Bessemer, Alabama
A highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by guest speaker LeRoy Ellis Jr., a retired chief warrant officer, who engaged the audience with a message centered on “Lessons That Extend Beyond the Classroom.” Drawing from his professional journey and life experiences, Ellis emphasized the importance of character, integrity, loyalty, perseverance and service — qualities that shape not only effective educators but also impactful leaders in every community.
Students may apply for the Legacy Teacher Scholarship at any time. Applicants must complete an electronic application and upload required materials, including a personal essay, two signed letters of recommendation and proof of GPA. Employment verification is tracked annually after graduation to ensure fulfillment of the service commitment.
Photo, from left: Dr. Larry Collier; Adrian Pitts, Ja'Merrian Stabler, Cornelius Williams, Jalisa Williams, Marvae Lee, Jac'Kiyah Bledsoe, Angelena Lee, Jaylen Ware, Jaloyn Hubbard and Crystal Love