Samford's nationally recognized ESEC program is designed to prepare students to teach a wide age range of children in a variety of grades. Students are afforded varied and diverse opportunities in authentic settings to gain the necessary knowledge, practical skills and professional dispositions required of today's teachers. Students in the ESEC teacher education program will engage in coursework throughout the program to build a knowledge base in theoretical understanding of elementary education, early childhood education and special education. During a student's time at Samford, practical teaching skills to promote student learning will be developed through extensive field experiences at schools and other learning settings. Professional dispositions encompassing values, commitments and ethics will be established and expanded while in the ESEC teacher education program.