Selected as Fulbright Scholar (2020-21) for working in Paraguay in summer 2022 and summer 2023

Nominated for TESOL International Association's Virginia French Allen Award for Scholarship and Service (2018)

Nominated by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for UAB's Shared Governance Award (2017)

Faculty Diversity Award. UAB (2013)

Outstanding Faculty Mentor. UAB Graduate School (2012)

Partner in Literacy Award. The Literacy Council, Birmingham, AL (2010)

President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, School of Education and Human Sciences, UAB (2009)

M. Ray Loree dissertation research award. College of Education, University of Alabama (2002)

Paul G. Orr Fellowship at Honors Day. College of Education, University of Alabama (1999)

Outstanding doctoral student from overseas school. College of Education, University of Alabama (1999)

Highest honors at graduation. University of California, San Diego (1973)

An MAEd/ESL student was selected to speak at the Commencement Ceremony in representation of all graduate students graduating from UAB's College of Arts and Sciences (May 2012)

Children were punished: Not for what they said, but for what their teachers heard was highlighted in the ACEI Newsletter (VII Resources, March 2010): "Read this compelling article regarding children's pronunciation errors and the misunderstandings it can cause."

The fun-analogy train was featured as exemplary of a big picture diagram in Harvey Brightman's master teacher seminar (Fall 2007 binder, slide #9).

Immersion students' voice regarding dual language use was selected among the best ten presentations for a mini-conference on bilingual education; 2003 TESOL convention (audio-taped, placed on sale).

Articles about Dr. Spezzini:

UAB partners with Shelby, Homewood Schools to beef up ESL education. UAB Reporter, 32(1).

UAB expands EL efforts. UAB Reporter, May 14, 2012.

Project EQUAL: Local schools target cross-cultural disparity. Education Outlook, 6(2), p. 6.