Jeanie Box from our Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies passed along a message to me from another great teacher with Samford credentials, Katherine Hill Fields.  Katie was writing to Mandy Hilsmier, a valued member of our faculty:

"I'm not sure if you will remember me, but I am a former Samford student that graduated from the ESEC program in 2006.  I have now taught in two different systems and in two different grade levels.  I am currently teaching 3rd grade in Concord, NC just outside of Charlotte.  I continue to love my job more and more with each passing year.  I know I've found my calling.  I wanted to email you and let you know that I was just named teacher of the year for my school!  I was so honored and excited at the same time!  I wanted to take this chance to email you and tell you what an impact my experience at Samford and your outstanding leadership has given me over the past four years.  I felt very well equipped when I left Samford, but I also believe you gave me the tools necessary to continue to learn and grow as the curriculum and demands change.  Thank you for giving me the skills I needed to change students' lives effectively while continuing to love what I do!

"P.S. Oh yeah, and I've gotten married since my Samford days and I'm now Katie Fields! :o)"

The world is better because of Katie Fields.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.