UAH fall 2025 grad Bryan Rogomentick on track to return to classroom teaching after military service

Bryan Rogomentick stands at the front entrance to Bob Jones High School, where he’s spent the fall 2025 semester as a teaching intern. On Dec. 15, 2025, he will receive his Master of Arts in Teaching degree from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences during commencement ceremonies at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena.

Ann Marie Martin | UAH

Teaching middle school requires dedication and courage. So does serving in the U.S. Army. When Bryan Rogomentick left the first career and joined the second, he discovered that his experience leading a classroom provided insights he could employ in the military.

“Teaching middle school was challenging at first, but I enjoyed every moment of it. When I joined the Army, I found out that serving in the military is not that much different than teaching school. Being a schoolteacher, you’re orchestrating a classroom, making lesson plans. In the Army, you’re trading off orders – or, I’ll say, directing traffic – and you’re executing those orders. It’s similar in quite a few ways. Being a teacher first helped me be a better military officer.”

Now Rogomentick is ready to return to the classroom with his military experience plus a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences (CESHS). He’s set to graduate from UAH on Dec. 15 during fall 2025 commencement ceremonies at the Von Braun Center. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.

A high school history teacher who brought the subject to life inspired Rogomentick’s journey.

“Mr. Maguire was amazing! He would tell us a story from beginning to end, and he turned history classes into storytelling. It was a skill that I fell in love with, and I thought I could do that. With UAH’s help, I’m trying to get there so I can be Mr. Maguire someday.”

Armed with an undergraduate degree in history and classical studies, Rogomentick taught middle school for eight years at a private school in Philadelphia. Then he signed up to help make modern U.S. history.

“I joined the Army in 2009 at the height of the surge in Afghanistan. I was a logistics officer for 12 years. We do all sorts of things – maintenance, fuel supply, transportation. You really became a jack of all trades.

“At first it seemed daunting because there’s so much, but over time, I grew to love it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world because it helped me get to where I am today. I’ve been stationed all over the world, so I’ve seen all sorts of assignments, and I’ve met people from everywhere. All those experiences, plus what UAH is doing for me, have really set me up.”

The Army was also where Rogomentick met his wife, Royah, in 2010 when the two lieutenants were stationed together at Fort Lee, Va. Now they’re both majors.

When the Army brought the family to Huntsville, they decided to take the opportunity to settle down. Bryan got out of the Army, but he remains in the Reserves. Royah is still on active duty, working for the Army Acquisition Command on Redstone Arsenal. She plans to retire after this assignment.

“We’ve had quite a bit of moves over the last 10 years,” he said. “Once we found out Huntsville was our next location, we decided to settle down for a little bit, and let our daughter, Addison, go to the same school for a while, make some friends and grow some roots.”

Bryan Rogomentick wanted to return to the classroom, but to expand his options, he would need a teaching certificate. The MAT program provides the path to certification for college graduates with a bachelor’s degree. When he found out he could enroll in the MAT program on the G.I. Bill at UAH, his decision was a “no-brainer.” He has high praises for CESHS and its faculty.

“They want each of us to succeed, and so they work their hardest and put forth the best product they can to get us to do our best.”

He especially appreciates Dr. Fran Hamilton, associate professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

“She models everything she teaches. She leaves no doubts as to what to do or how to do it, so you have a real-life example. Then we’ll practice it in front of her. You get the experience without just getting the theory behind it. And she’s not the only one. Between their knowledge and their experience, the professors set us up for success.”

During this semester’s internship teaching 11th grade at Bob Jones High School, Rogomentick saw at least one way that his military experience can help set up his own students for success.

“We have quite a big population whose parents are either in the service or retired. I can understand the challenges that they’re going through because they’re facing the same things my daughter did – having to move every two years and readjust, make new friends, get used to the school. I think my military background helps lend a little bit of stability for them.”