By: Anna Clark
Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education was recently nationally recognized by The National Council on Teacher Quality (NTCQ) for its clinical training program.
The NCTQ advocates for teacher quality across the nation by reviewing teacher preparation programs. Dr. Amy Hougland, the Assistant Dean of the School of Education, spoke about what sets Samford apart.
Clinical training is required for all students in the Orleen Beeson School of Education and allows them to practice the content they learn in their teacher education programs by teaching lessons in elementary and middle schools.
Dr. Hougland explained that what makes Samford’s school of education different from other colleges is their structured partnership with Trace Crossings Elementary and Homewood Middle School.
With this partnership, teacher candidates can not only teach their lesson plans to children but also learn in classrooms at the local schools and immerse themselves into school culture. It also allows the teachers of Trace Crossing and Homewood Middle to teach lab lessons to the Samford candidates and act as mentors on the candidates’ education journey.
The Orlean Beeson School of Education’s curriculum is not the only thing that sets them apart from the rest. The faculty’s dedication to the program and to their students plays a crucial role. The faculty ensure that teacher candidates will not only be well-versed in the content they are teaching, but also that they are people of character and compassion with a proper professional disposition.
Dr. Hougland defines a professional disposition as “your attitude or commitment to teaching.”
She explained that the commitment and character instilled in their teacher candidates distinguishes them and makes them effective teachers.
Teachers are a vital and often overlooked part of our society, and with the current national teacher shortage, they are needed more than ever. The longer the shortage lasts, the more opportunities will dwindle for students.
“We need high-quality, well-prepared teachers across the nation, and Samford has a student body that is full of students with a heart for others and a heart for service,” Hoagland said.
The assistant dean elaborated that Samford is the perfect place for the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers and feels that we can truly make a difference right here at Samford.
