Cultivating Character through Faith and Learning
Character education is a movement in educational contexts emphasizing values and the expression of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that exemplify virtues and living a life that counts for good. It represents an intentional focus on doing the right thing by acting out our core values. The concept of infusing values in education is not new and has resurfaced repeatedly throughout history. It is first documented in the work of the ancient Greek philosophers, where we find Aristotle commenting, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
In the context of Samford University, “educating the heart” has found expression in a campus-wide intentionality surrounding “Faith and Learning” practices, whereby faith-based values are infused into teaching and learning. At Orlean Beeson School of Education, character education is woven into the fabric of our mission.
Character Scholar-in-Residence
To further strengthen the school’s commitment to this worthy cause, Anna McEwan, dean of Orlean Beeson School of Education, has ensured that our research and dissemination of practices surrounding character education get the attention and support it deserves. To this end, she has named Distinguished Beeson Professor, Clara Gerhardt, as the Character Scholar-in-Residence of Orlean Beeson School of Education. In this role, Gerhardt supports our faculty in research and presentation endeavors with the goal of increasing the scholarly output of the School of Education. Gerhardt is well equipped for the task, having authored several textbooks, is widely published and has presented at over 200 peer-reviewed conferences on five continents.
International Engagement
This year, Gerhardt and Kara Chism, assistant professor and director in instruction leadership, represented the School of Education at a conference held at Oxford University, UK. Their paper: “Infusing virtues and character education into curriculum, internship, and practicum experiences” was warmly received. This prestigious opportunity was extended a second time to McEwan and Gerhardt who will present at the Oriel and Magdalen Colleges at Oxford University in 2024 at a conference titled: “Virtuous Leadership and Character.”
On an international platform, the school has invited world-renowned speakers as keynotes for events such as the Higher Education Character Convening held each spring. The school continues to collaborate with and learn from our colleagues at the Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues, located in the city of Birmingham UK, at the University of Birmingham.
4th Annual Higher Education Character Convening
At the recent Higher Education Character Convening conference: “Cultivating Communities of Character,” co-hosted by the University of Alabama, faculty and recent graduates featured strongly in the presentations. McEwan and Chism consistently liaise with other institutions supporting character education such as Lipscomb University and the University of Tennessee Knoxville and attend character education conferences nationwide.
Hope Institute
The School of Education is home to the Hope Institute, whose mission is to equip P-12 educators with knowledge and school-based applications related to values and character through the Hope Leadership Academy. As teams of teachers and school leaders cultivate character development, they create a state-wide network of communities of character within school contexts. Chism provides programming for Hope Fellows, a group of accomplished character education administrators, and Samford doctoral student, Jennifer Hogan hosts a Communities of Character podcast.
The Four Core Values of Orlean Beeson School of Education
Integrity
Being authentic; acting the same way with all people, in all situations; acting in ways that demonstrate belief in the importance of being honest and behaving ethically
Respect
Being respectful; acting in ways that demonstrate the belief that all people have worth and should be treated with dignity; demonstrating love and compassion for all people; acting in ways that demonstrate the belief that all people can contribute, and that collaboration and teamwork are desirable
Responsibility
Being responsible; acting in ways that demonstrate a belief in the importance of fulfilling individual and collective commitments, serving others, making positive contributions, working with purpose, and advocating for people and causes
Humility
Being humble; acting in ways that are not prideful or arrogant; serving others; demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and a teachable spirit, both intellectually and personally
Character education is woven into the fabric of the Orlean Beeson School of Education’s mission as students prepare to educate, lead and serve in their chosen professions. The school recognizes that both technical competence and strength of character is essential for graduates to fulfill their calling. To that end, faculty, staff, and students attempt to embody what it looks, sounds, and feels like to be members of a Christ-like “community of character.”
If you are interested in supporting Orlean Beeson School of Education’s innovative efforts in character development, partner with us in advancing our mission through this important work.
“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”—Martin Luther King Jr.
