NCFR Organization

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

 

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

 

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

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.