As Samford University advances its comprehensive strategic plan, Fidelitas: Faith and Future, global influence will be a defining priority for the years ahead. In response, Orlean Beeson School of Education is entering a new chapter of international partnership and educational leadership. This spring break, a team of faculty will travel to Ecuador to build relationships with three schools, provide professional development and assess opportunities for future student involvement. This initiative reflects the School of Education’s commitment to leading with purpose and preparing educators to serve globally.
Advancing Strategic Priorities Through Global Partnerships
The initiative aligns closely with Samford’s 2025-26 theme of courage, a charge given by President Beck A. Taylor for the academic year. For the faculty participating in the trip, courage is not just a guiding theme but a personal and professional challenge they are embracing with intention.
“For me, it is going to take some courage to travel to a place where I don’t speak the language and try to provide professional development,” said Bill Cleveland, assistant professor of educational leadership. “But it is exciting to step out in courage and do this.”
Cleveland will travel with Kate Scarborough, assistant professor of teacher education, and Kara Chism, associate professor and chair of educational leadership. Together, they will represent the School of Education as they build relationships, offer support and learn from educators in Ecuador.
“This opportunity aligns with the strategic plan in that we are focusing on global influence by visiting different international schools and growing those connections,” Scarborough said. “It is really supporting the overall charge we have been given by the University.”
Partner Schools in Quito
The faculty group will visit three schools, each offering a unique lens into Ecuadorian education:
El Sauce School
Located in the valley near Quito, El Sauce is an English-speaking International Baccalaureate school that emphasizes holistic education.
Alliance Academy International
A Pre-K through 12th-grade school, Alliance Academy is especially meaningful to Chism, who grew up there and considers it her alma mater. For Samford, it also presents strong potential for future recruitment for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Amor y Esperanza School
A Christian school serving underserved children in Quito, Amor y Esperanza provides high-quality academic education rooted in Christian values. Samford’s connection began with Samford alumni Teresa ’97 and Clayton Hemphill ’97, whose son participated in previous trips and identified teacher training as one of the school’s most pressing needs.
Faculty Learning and Leadership Development
For Scarborough, the trip represents an opportunity to observe how diverse learners are supported in international settings. “It is an opportunity to see how teaching looks in these schools and how they meet the needs of children from different backgrounds,” she said. These insights will inform courses she teaches, including Foundations of Education and her class on diverse learners.
Cleveland sees the experience as both a teaching and learning opportunity. “Not only do we need to go and teach, but we need to go and learn,” he said.
As a faculty member who prepares aspiring administrators, he views modeling this mindset as essential. “We specifically teach our graduate students who are preparing to be administrators the importance of modeling for their faculty and staff. It is part of being an administrator. We are models for our students.”
For Chism, returning to Ecuador carries deep personal meaning. “It is super meaningful for all my worlds to come together by going back to my alma mater, but going with Samford, which I have such a love and passion for,” she said. “To be able to return to Ecuador and serve there with professional knowledge will be really fulfilling.”
Laying the Groundwork for Future Student Engagement
Although this initial trip will not include students, its purpose is foundational for future educational opportunities. Faculty will assess the needs of the schools, consider meaningful ways to integrate Samford students in coming years and strengthen the relationships that will support long-term engagement. This work continues a connection established through a spring break trip coordinated with the Office of Community Engagement, which will continue separately this year.
By building global partnerships, offering professional expertise and approaching the work with humility and courage, the School of Education is modeling leadership that aligns with its mission to educate, lead and serve. The 2026 trip represents the beginning of a sustained effort to prepare educators who shine their light in communities around the world.
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