UWF-Teach
Where Scientists Become Educators
Just like the way you'll teach, your journey through UWF-Teach follows a path of discovery, exploration, and reflection.
Mission and Vision
To provide a multi-dimensional program for recruiting and retaining highly qualified STEM majors to become middle and secondary teachers and expand our local learning community to support and mentor UWF-Teach candidates and program completers.
For more information, view the RISE NOYCE Outcome Report.
What if your love for science or math could change someone else’s life — starting in your own classroom?
Whether you’re passionate about physics, math, or marine biology, UWF-Teach helps you turn that passion into a powerful teaching career. We’re here to support curious minds like yours — and help you become the kind of teacher students remember.
Try it out. See what fits. Learn by doing.
Teaching isn’t something you can learn from a textbook alone. That’s why UWF-Teach puts you into the field early and often — helping you gain hands-on experience and make informed decisions about your future.
Start Small: With a course like Exploring Inquiry Teaching (EDG2041), get a feel for teaching through classroom observations and a 15-hour practicum. No commitment — just exploration.
Summer Internships, Early Fieldwork and Mentorships: Jump into real classrooms and community science centers to see what teaching is really like.
Citizen Science Projects: Work with faculty and K–12 teachers to turn real research into classroom-ready lesson plans.
STEM Master Mentors: Work one-on-one with experienced teachers who guide you through planning, instruction, and reflection.
About the Program
UWF-Teach, a collaboration between the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering and the School of Education, combines your passion for STEM with the power of teaching. As part of this program, you’ll follow a streamlined path to graduate in four years with both a STEM degree and full teacher certification. With access to early classroom experiences, paid internships, and a strong support network, you’ll be prepared to thrive in the classroom and help your future students succeed.
Program Highlights
- Graduate in four years with a STEM degree and teacher certification (Grades 6–12)
- Start classroom experiences early through introductory courses and practicum work
- Participate in internships with local schools and science learning centers
- Work closely with experienced mentors and faculty from both science and education
Elaborate.
As part of UWF-Teach, you’ll have access to research opportunities and outreach initiatives that go beyond the classroom. It's a chance to contribute to the future of STEM education while shaping your own path as a teacher.
Practice teaching in a safe, simulated environment with instant feedback — a cutting-edge way to refine your skills.
Collaborate with faculty on real STEM or education-based research projects and present your findings at conferences.
Design classroom lessons around projects like water quality testing, dune vegetation mapping, microplastic identification, and more.
Evaluate.
Before graduation, you'll complete a final teaching apprenticeship where you take the lead in planning and delivering instruction. With support from your mentor and feedback from UWF faculty, you'll enter the profession confident and classroom-ready.
You’ll leave UWF not just with a degree — but with the skills, confidence, and classroom experience to thrive from day one.
Which UWF-Teach Path is Right for You?
Biology Teaching B.A.
Learn to teach life sciences with confidence. This concentration prepares you to teach subjects like ecology, anatomy, marine biology, and environmental science at the secondary level. You'll complete advanced biology coursework alongside field experiences that build your classroom skills in real time.
Chemistry Teaching B.A.
Prepare to teach chemistry and related sciences in grades 6–12. This concentration blends rigorous coursework in chemical principles such as inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, polymer science, and laboratory techniques with hands-on teaching experiences, equipping you to lead engaging lessons in chemistry, environmental science, marine science, or comprehensive science.
Earth and Environmental Science Teaching B.A.
Teach students to explore the natural world — from climate systems to ecosystems. This concentration prepares you to teach earth science, environmental science, and related subjects in grades 6–12 through a mix of interdisciplinary coursework and classroom-based teaching experiences.
Mathematics Teaching B.A.
Help students build confidence in math through engaging, real-world instruction. This concentration prepares you to teach subjects like algebra, geometry, and statistics in grades 6–12, combining advanced math coursework with hands-on classroom experiences.
Physics Teaching B.A.
Inspire curiosity and critical thinking through physics education. This concentration prepares you to teach physics, astronomy, and related sciences in grades 6–12. You'll combine in-depth physics study with guided teaching experiences that bring complex concepts to life for your future students.
Program Coordinator
uwfteach@uwf.edu
Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
Find your advisor on the HMCSE Advisor Page
Faculty Mentor | Dr. John Pecore
Professor
School of Education, Building 85, Room 176
jpecore@uwf.edu
Funding for this program was provided by the NSF Recruiting Impassioned STEM Educators (RISE) grant under award number 1540792.
The UWF-Teach program is accredited based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards through Spring 2030.
CAEP is the only Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognized national accreditor for educator preparation.