School of Education Grant and Community Partnerships

Partnerships and grants enable Orlean Beeson School of Education to empower its students to educate, lead, and serve; enriching the community and making a positive difference in the world. Additionally, the education school believes continuous, lifelong learning is vital to academic and spiritual growth. This belief coupled with a passion to enrich the education systems in Alabama and across the globe are recognized through numerous community partnerships and initiatives.

Partnerships and Grants

Elementary Mathematics Leadership Academy for Teachers (EMLAT)

In 2017, Samford University Orlean Beeson School of Education entered a partnership with Fairfield City Schools to improve student learning and performance in mathematics. The Academy served to enhance Fairfield teachers’ mathematics content and pedagogy knowledge in order to strengthen their conceptual framework in mathematics and to equip them with research-based strategies in order to improve student learning.

Through the generosity of the Charles T. Campbell Foundation, Orlean Beeson School of Education expanded the EMLAT experience to teachers in other areas districts and schools.

For more information, contact Tarsha Shepard.

Mentors for Aspiring Principals (MAP)

Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education has a nationally recognized program for preparing "school-ready" instructional leaders. Made possible by funding from the Charles T. Campbell Foundation since 2017, the Mentors for Aspiring Principals program was established in recognition of the critical need to include mentors as a part of each graduate student's preparation experience. MAP seeks qualified, trained mentors to support candidates throughout their field experiences as aspiring leaders in P-12 school settings. Mentors are required to participate in multiple site visits and to build relationships with their mentees. Additionally, aspiring principals are matched with external mentors who provided a safe, confidential space for discussing their observations and reflecting on their experiences.

For more information, contact Kara Chism.

SAM's STEM Academy

SAM’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Academy is an interactive learning opportunity for K-5 students in our partnering schools. Orlean Beeson School of Education faculty, staff, and preservice teachers will engage P-6 students through innovative and creative learning challenges. The academy encourages youngsters to make connections to real-world applications in STEM-related fields.

Through the support of the Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation, approximately 100 students from partnering schools in primarily underserved communities are provided a fun-filled STEM experience.

Turning Points

In 2012, Turning Points was established to provide a crucial next step for special needs students aged 18-21 who have an individualized educational program (IEP) and who are currently enrolled in Mountain Brook and Homewood Public Schools. Housed in the Orlean Beeson School of Education building and managed by Mountain Brook City School District personnel, the program provides social, educational and occupational growth and development for each student.

The program also gives students a glimpse of the college experience as they eat in the university's cafeteria, take part in campus activities, play Frisbee on the lawn and hold on-campus jobs. The program helps transition students out of high school and supports the development of independent life skills.

For more information, contact Wendy Betsch.

Young Authors Conference

Since 2004, Orlean Beeson School of Education has hosted a Birmingham-area elementary school for the annual Young Authors Conference. The event fosters excitement for reading and writing among young children, and allows preservice teachers to practice choosing curriculum, writing lesson plans, designing learning activities, creating a field trip schedule and other aspects of educational event planning.

The conference honors John and Frances Carter, who both taught in Orlean Beeson School of Education, and is supported through a modest annual gift from the Carter family. Through additional support from the Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation, we are enhancing the scope of this event to impact students from underserved Birmingham communities.