Tuscaloosa’s Eta Xi Omega Chapter Awards First-Year Educator Grants

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated^® - Eta Xi Omega Chapter in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, joyfully closed out its year of service by awarding the Third Annual First-Year Educator Grants to celebrate and support the next generation of classroom leaders.

The Chapter President, Uplift Our Local Community Initiative Co-chairs, and several chapter members proudly presented grant awards to first-year educators from the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School systems during the schools' December assemblies.

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Each winning teacher was celebrated before the entire school and received a certificate, a flower bouquet, and a $500 grant for classroom resources and supplies. The sorority aimed to uplift and honor the educators, recognizing their dedication and inspiring commitment to shaping young minds.

“We are thrilled to honor these outstanding first-year educators through our Third Annual First-Year Educator Grants,” said Althenia Morrow Tate, Eta Xi Omega Chapter President.

“Their dedication and passion are inspiring, and it is our joy to support them as they make a positive impact in their classrooms and communities.”

Tuscaloosa City School System Grant Recipient

Tiara Beville

Beville is a Kindergarten Educator at Southview Elementary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was totally surprised, humbled, and emotional about receiving the grant.

“As a first-year teacher, you often put so much energy into your students without expecting recognition, so to have my work acknowledged in this way was truly meaningful,” said Beville. “In that moment, I felt seen, supported, and affirmed my decision to enter this profession.”

Ronika Amerson, Southview Elementary Principal, said that Beville receiving the grant was personally meaningful. “Seeing a former student return to the profession and excel as an educator is exactly why this work matters. Ms. Beville represents the full-circle impact of education—students becoming leaders and role models for the next generation. Her recognition confirms that she is doing the work the right way, with purpose, commitment, and heart, and it makes me incredibly proud as both her former principal and current leader.”

“This grant represents encouragement at a critical point in my teaching journey. It reassures me that the work I am doing in the classroom matters and that my community believes in me and my students.”

Southview Elementary is no stranger to receiving the first-year educator grant, which speaks volumes about the work happening at this school.  “It reflects a culture of strong mentorship, high expectations, and intentional support for new teachers,” Amerson. “I am grateful for this grant. It lets first-year educators know that they do not have to figure things out on their own. It is a great support for classroom enhancement.”

Tuscaloosa County School System

Bette Patterson

Patterson is a Kindergarten Educator at Big Sandy Elementary in Moundville, Alabama. She was completely surprised and felt very honored to receive the grant from the sorority.

She hopes that the “grant will allow me to create a more engaging, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for the children in my classroom,” said Patterson. “With these resources, I can provide hands-on materials and tools to help every learner in my classroom. My goal is to help students love learning, and this grant helps make that possible.”

Grant Winners Share Their Advice

The grant recipients offer advice to other first-year educators, and that “is to give yourself grace and remember that growth takes time. Teaching is a learning process, and it is okay not to have everything figured out right away,” said Beville.

Patterson encouraged first-year educators to “find a great support system. Surrounding yourself with other educators who pour into you builds your confidence as an educator! Find your support system and lean on them. We are not meant to do life alone.”

Beville shared valuable guidance for fellow first-year teachers, emphasizing “building strong relationships with your students, as trust and connection are the foundation for meaningful learning.” Also, staying open to “feedback, lean on your colleagues, and do not be afraid to ask for help or share ideas.”