Contact the UTeach South Team

Tami May, M.Ed., NBCT
Master Teacher
tmay@southalabama.edu
(251) 341-4944

My name is Tami May. I am a STEM Major turned teacher! I graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Biology and a minor in Geology. I later returned to USA under the NOYCE Grant offered to STEM Graduates to obtain an Alternative Masters in Science or Math Education. For my education journey, I chose to teach middle school science here in Mobile County. During my 13 years as a classroom teacher, I became Nationally Board Certified, received the Mobile County Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Award and led a team of teachers to Cognia STEM accreditation from the State of Alabama for our school. My family consists of my husband of 25 years, our two teenagers and a menagerie of pets both domestic and wild. Your UTeach Team and I look forward to helping you develop your love of teaching!

Erika Cheek, M.Ed.
Master Teacher
echeek@southalabama.edu
(251) 341-4944

Erika Cheek, M.Ed., serves as a mathematics master teacher for UTeach South.  She earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and Mathematics and a masters degree in Secondary Math Education from the University of South Alabama.  Prior to joining UTeach South, she taught in a local school district teaching middle and high school math.  Her main focus in teaching students math was to develop inquiry and excitement around math lessons.  As a mentor to many students in the past, she developed a love for working with future teachers and became a teacher educator.  Erika enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, two little boys, and two dogs.  

Dr. Christopher Parrish
UTeach South Co-Director
parrish@southalabama.edu

Dr. Christopher Parrish is the UTeach South Co-Director and an associate professor of mathematics education. He is a former middle- and high-school mathematics teacher and has been a faculty member in the College of Education and Professional Studies for 7 years. Dr. Parrish’s passion is helping pre-service teachers learn to support their students in thinking and reasoning about STEM disciplines.

Dr. Kelly Major
UTeach South Co-Director
kmajor@southalabama.edu

Dr. Kelly Major is a Co-Director of UTeach South and Professor of Biology.  She is a 23-year veteran of the USA Biology Department with expertise in algal and aquatic plant physiological ecology and secondary education.  Dr. Major is committed to the mentorship of students in STEM disciplines with a passion for fostering critical thinking and innovation in the classroom.