Story: Lisa Sollie
UWA Graduate Finds Purpose in Special Education
After years of advocating for children in Alabama鈥檚 foster care system, Shameeka Upshaw felt called to expand her ability to serve children, this time in the classroom. Now with a degree in hand from the University of West Alabama, Upshaw helps students with disabilities and their teachers be successful.
As special education facilitator at Johnny Carr Middle School in Montgomery Public Schools, Upshaw oversees the school鈥檚 special education program and ensures compliance with students鈥� Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Determined to build a new future for herself and her two children after the death of her husband, Upshaw earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Troy University and began working in banking. But her desire to serve others eventually led her to the Department of Human Resources, where she became聽a foster care caseworker in 2019.
Several years later, with prayer and guidance, Upshaw left to teach special education. 鈥淚t was hard to leave my babies,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut I knew it was my calling.鈥�
Pursuing that calling required a new path into education.
UWA鈥檚 Temporary Special Education Certification (TSEC) program provided the pathway, allowing her to begin teaching while completing the coursework and certification requirements needed for full certification. Working in the classroom confirmed that special education combined her passion for advocacy with her desire to help children succeed. Inspired by that experience, she enrolled in program, which allowed her to continue working in the classroom while earning her master鈥檚 degree.
Balancing graduate coursework and her responsibilities at school, Upshaw also worked a part-time job supporting adults with intellectual disabilities in their homes.
鈥淭wo days a week, I was at the middle school all day and then work from 4-10 and every other weekend,鈥� she said. Between work, graduate school, and caring for her family, long days became the norm. Upshaw also took an overload schedule so she could pay for her tuition out of pocket rather than take on additional loans. Despite the demands, she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
As demanding as work and graduate school were, another challenge soon emerged, when Upshaw鈥檚 mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during her graduate studies. Despite her health struggles, she was able to attend Upshaw鈥檚 graduation ceremony鈥攁 moment they both treasured.
Today, Upshaw says every challenge she faced prepared her for the work she does now. Whether supporting teachers, advocating for students, or helping families navigate special education, she is determined to make the same lasting difference in children’s lives.
Though she hopes to one day open a therapeutic center for individuals with special needs, Upshaw says wherever the path leads, her calling remains the same: helping children and families find someone firmly in their corner.