The OBB Link

Samford’s School of Education Receives NCATE Accreditation

hannahehenderson — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:37:03 +0000

Samford University’s Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education has received continued accreditation through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for accrediting teacher education programs.

The accreditation process covered several months and included written reports and a campus site visit late last year. The university received its official public notice of accreditation this week.

“We had a stellar review in December 2012 thanks to the leadership of accreditation chair, Dr. Betsy Rogers, and an exceptional team of faculty and staff,” said Dr. Jeanie Box, School of Education dean. “This accreditation ensures that all teacher education and leadership programs are in good standing at the national level. All standards were met and the review team praised Samford for its high standard of educational practice.”

NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards set by the professional education community, Box explained. According to NCATE, teacher candidates should know the subject matter they plan to teach and have the skills necessary to help all children learn. The university must assess this knowledge and analyze data on applicant qualifications and competence before determining graduation, and it must provide field and clinical experiences so that candidates can develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions to help students learn. Candidates must have opportunities to interact with other candidates, faculty and P-12 students from diverse groups. Faculty must model professional practices in scholarship, service and teaching. The university is also expected to have the resources to prepare candidates to meet professional, state and institutional standards.

“For nearly 100 years, Samford University has provided outstanding teacher education preparation,” said J. Bradley Creed, Samford’s provost and executive vice president. “Our continued accreditation from NCATE is yet another national affirmation of the rigorous academic programs that are a hallmark of Samford University. Our School of Education faculty and staff are to be commended for this achievement.”

The accreditation covers all initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation levels. Samford’s School of Education offers an early childhood /elementary/special education collaborative (ESEC) and secondary education leading to a bachelor of science in education. Teacher certification is available in the combined ESEC program for pre-kindergarten-grade 3 and grades kindergarten through 6 and in secondary education for grades 6-12. Graduate programs include a master of science in education in gifted education, elementary education, fifth-year nontraditional secondary and elementary education, instructional leadership and educational leadership; educational specialist degrees in teacher leader and instructional leadership; and a doctorate in educational leadership.

The next accreditation review for Samford will be in fall 2019. Samford’s initial teacher education accreditation came in 1954.

Founded in 1954, NCATE is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education. NCATE and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) have consolidated and are now transitioning into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

NCATE

NCFR Organization

hannahehenderson — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:35:14 +0000

Learn about Samford’s student chapter of the National Council on Family Relations.

Congratulations to the End-of-the-Year Faculty/Staff Award Winners

hannahehenderson — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:22:57 +0000

Congratulations to our faculty/staff who won this year’s OBB awards!

Outstanding Teaching Award – Dr. Patti Wood
Outstanding Spiritual Impact Award – Dr. Pat Terry
Outstanding Scholarship Award – Dr. Donna Dunaway
Outstanding Staff Award – Janet Smith
Outstanding Alumnus – Dr. Ryan Rainer

Education, Family Studies Collaboration Proves Successful

hannahehenderson — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:16:31 +0000

Earlier this semester, several faculty and students from Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies presented at the Southeast Council on Family Relations (SECFR) regional conference in Birmingham, Ala. One presentation was considered especially unique as the project incorporated interdepartmental collaboration between professors and students from the family studies and teacher education departments.

The idea for the project originated as students in a teacher education course realized they were not completely comfortable working with parents of children in their classes. A partnership with a family life education course was formed in order to gain mutual understanding. The collaboration benefited students in both classes as it increased the confidence level of teacher education candidates regarding family engagement, while also providing a relevant family life education opportunity for those in the family studies course.

Click to view slideshow.

Over the course of the semester, the family studies students conducted a needs assessment, researched areas to address those needs, developed curriculum and conducted five family life education small group sessions for the teacher education students. To measure the effectiveness of the family life education sessions, the family studies students, using a pre-test/post-test analysis, measured the confidence level before and after the educational sessions. Survey results indicated a significant increase in confidence level working with under- and over-involved parents, parents of disabled children, sending updates and reports to parents, facilitating parent-teacher conference and hosting an open house.

Several students from both courses presented their research and shared about their experiences at the SECFR conference alongside teacher education professors, Mrs. Karen Birkenfeld and Dr. Amy Hoaglund, and family studies professors, Dr. Kristie Chandler and Dr. Jonathan Davis.

“This collaboration was a great example of how departments can work together to provide a more well-rounded education for all students,” said Dr. Kristie Chandler, chair of the family studies department.

Many other presentations were made at the conference by the family studies department involving several students and Chandler, Davis, Dr. Clara Gerhardt and Dr. Celeste Hill.

Education School to Offer Master’s, Doctorate Online

hannahehenderson — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:22:25 +0000

Samford University’s Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies will begin offering graduate program courses online during the fall of 2013, as part of the Master of Science in Gifted Education (M.S.E.) and the Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.).

Both programs are moving to an online venue, but also will have some on-campus components, including orientation.

“These programs will offer flexibility for working teachers and administrators,” said Dr. Jeanie A. Box, Samford’s education school dean, “but the personal emphasis will continue to be a strong component of our education programs. Students will be able to build relationships with classmates and with faculty members through several onsite meetings, phone calls, and availability online.”

She added, “Both programs will provide the Samford education school opportunities to reach educators beyond the campus and to increase the school’s positive impact on education in the Southeast.”

Dr. Patti Wood serves as director of the M.S.E. Gifted program and Dr. Jane Cobia serves as director of the Ed.D. program. Dr. Marian Carter will work with both programs as director of the Online Education Initiative.

Dr. Wood stressed the importance of flexibility in graduate programs for educators with demanding jobs as well as family and community responsibilities.

“The School of Education faculty is enthusiastic about the potential that online programs have to meet this growing need for high quality flexible learning opportunities while continuing its commitment to developing meaningful relationships with our students,” said Wood.

Dr. Cobia noted that the Ed.D web-enhanced program would “continue its tradition of excellence with a practitioner emphasis.” She added, “This program will allow a bit more flexibility to students and yet offer the same high quality experiences with certified professors.”

Learn more.

‘Ice Cream Man’ Weaver Supports CLC in Many Ways

hannahehenderson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:46:40 +0000

Robert Weaver is known as “Ice Cream Man” around the Samford Children’s Learning Center (CLC), where he has visited children for the last several years. During his visits, Weaver serves ice cream to the children and spends time showing them they’re special. However, throughout his years of service to the CLC, Weaver has provided more than a cool treat.

Since 2003, Weaver has donated money to the CLC, specifically designating it to serve children with special needs. According to the CLC director, Dr. David Finn, Weaver’s donations as of last month total $10,000. This past fall, the CLC presented Weaver with an award representing their appreciation of his continued support for children with special needs. Weaver is also a longtime supporter of the Alabama Institute of the Deaf and Blind and the Helen Keller School in Talladega, Ala., which serves children with multiple disabilities.

Click here to learn more about the CLC.

CMTC Experiences Technological Facelift

hannahehenderson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:44:46 +0000

A newly renovated Curriculum Materials and Technology Center (CMTC) is facilitating academic research and collaboration in Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies. With improvements completed during the summer of 2012, the CMTC now provides students, faculty and staff with current resources, media and services as they design and utilize instructional materials.

Dr.Michele Haralson, CMTC director, said the space has grown so popular that the staff has had to find a new way to manage the space.

“This area has always been used a lot, but even more so now for small group collaborations and class presentations,” said Haralson. “Groups from all over campus, and off campus, request to use it for luncheons and meetings.”

The improvements were implemented based on input from students and employees to better meet the needs of its patrons. More electrical outlets and hardwire Internet outlets were installed. A new printer allows students to print when the lab is closed. The ceiling, flooring and lighting were all replaced, and the circulation desk remodeled. Multifunctional tables and chairs allow for more flexibility. Two flat-screen televisions have VGA and HDMI capabilities. A smart TV adds to the technological advances.

The student workroom also experienced renovations, including installation of new flooring, shelving and stainless steel appliances. One half of the area serves as the faculty workroom while the other half serves as a resource center for students.

The CMTC consists of three connected areas: instructional technology lab, education library and the student and faculty work room. The center is located on the third floor of Orlean Bullard Beeson Hall.

Click here to learn more about the CMTC.

First Graduates of FYNT Master’s Degree Get Teaching Posts

hannahehenderson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:25:31 +0000

Samford’s Fifth-Year Nontraditional (F.Y.N.T.) master’s degree in secondary education has just celebrated its first graduating class in December 2012. Most of these students, who enrolled in the first F.Y.N.T. cohort in fall 2011, are already employed in their own classroom, fulfilling the needs of schools requiring certified teachers in specific subject areas.

The F.Y.N.T. program provides those desiring to teach the opportunity to earn a master of science in education and certification to teach in middle schools and high schools. The program offers concentrations in biology, English/language arts, general science, history, math, general social studies and Spanish.

The cohorts are an integrated blend of recent undergraduates, those who are seeking to start a second career, or those continuing their education.

“These graduates are an outstanding group,” said Dr. Robin Duncan, program director. “Despite their age differences, and professional and personal experiences, the cohort has grown together throughout their time in the program.”

Since the program is relatively new, the first graduates have taught their faculty and directors just as they have been learning.

“We’ve learned a lot through these graduates. As they would share with us their experiences and opinions about the F.Y.N.T. program, we’ve been able to learn, grow and improve students’ overall experiences,” Duncan said.

The F.Y.N.T. program is designed for graduates of an accredited university who already have a B.A. or B.S. degree, and desire to earn a Master of Science in Education degree and a Class A teaching certificate to teach in their content area at the secondary level of education (grades 6-12). The program accommodates those working part-time or full-time as courses are offered in the late afternoon,evening or Saturdays.

To learn more, click here.

Gerhardt Publishes Book on Parent-Child Relations

hannahehenderson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:55:21 +0000

Dr. Clara Gerhardt, professor in the Department of Family Studies, has coauthored a textbook titled Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting. Published by Pearson, the textbook is in its 9^thedition. It has also been released as an international edition.

The textbook provides practical approaches utilizing family theories to explore parent-child relationships and how they change throughout life. It is a comprehensive resource for students preparing to work with families, and as they become parents themselves.

“While working on the publication, I became truly aware of the magnitude and quality of resources within the Samford University Library,” Dr. Gerhardt said. She also looked to fellow professors and students as resources.

“While researching the history of childhood, I found an eminent expert on the topic on my doorstep — Dr.Ginger Frost from Samford’s history department.”

Gerhardt also relied on two family studies students as research assistants, Melissa Belflower and Katrina Brown. “Both of these family studies majors excelled in their contributions, and they learned much about the realities of publishing,” she said.

Patrick White, a previous student of Gerhardt’s, contributed an essay to the textbook. Dr. Bryan Johnson of University Fellows wrote a moving reflection on fatherhood that appears in the closing chapter.

Gerhardt said she appreciated the assistance and support of colleagues and students during the project. “I could not have done it without them,” she said.

Gerhardt collaborated with Dr. Jerry Bigner on the publication but took over the project when Bigner died in 2011.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Gerhardt and her work.

Cross-Cultural Practicum: Indonesia

hannahehenderson — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:01:03 +0000

Eight Samford education students traveled to Indonesia during January to study different aspects of the country’s educational system and culture. Led by Samford’s president and first lady, Drs. Andrew and Jeanna Westmoreland, the students visited universities and taught children at elementary schools.

According to the Samford students, teaching the Indonesian children was an exciting experience as they were eager to learn and listened intently. Student Carly Cate said the children were attentive, respectful and helpful to fellow classmates. Although the language barrier made communication with the children more difficult, Samford students were able to overcome this obstacle with use of educational songs, picture books and engaging activities.

Along with visiting and teaching at various village schools, the group set aside time to volunteer at an orphanage. In addition to teaching, volunteering and sightseeing, each Samford wrote a paper focusing on topics ranging from Indonesian government and education to economic and environmental issues and gender roles. They shared their research with each other, providing background information that helped everyone better understand their Indonesia experience.

Click to view slideshow.

The overall intent of the trip was to teach children and learn about the Indonesian culture, but Samford students returned with renewed thoughts about their own education and faith.

For Natalie Mitchell, the trip served as a reminder that going to school and receiving an education is a privilege not to be taken for granted.

For others, such as Laura Beth Rich and Cate, the trip reminded them of their religious freedom in America. They learned that in a predominantly Muslim country where where Christians are in the minority, a person must be willing to sacrifice more to follow Christ.

“The number one thing I took away was just how big and great our God is,” said Cate.

For others, the trip strengthened a passion for international teaching. Samford student Rachel Vestri said she loves traveling and learning about new places, and going to Indonesia encouraged her to continue pursuing a passion for international teaching. She said the trip inspired her to be more intentional with her actions, educational experience and life.

Dr. Betsy Rogers, chair of the teacher education department, said international travel is not only an exciting way for students to experience another culture, but also provides students opportunities to acquire new perspectives, gain self-confidence and learn to value the opportunities offered to them in America.

“This is more than just sightseeing; it can be a life-changing experience,” said Rogers.