SOE Professor Emerita to Receive Prestigious Award

At its annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in April 2013, the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) will award the 2013 Betty Garlick Lifetime Achievement Award to Mary Trepanier-Street, Professor Emerita of education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Recipients of this award demonstrate a commitment to Michigan’s children and families, and have made exceptional contributions to the early childhood profession. The award is named for Betty Garlick, the first president of MiAEYC from 1974-1976, and honors her life-long commitment to young children and their families.

Dr. Mary Trepanier-Street has dedicated her entire career to the betterment of young children’s lives. She taught early childhood education at University of Michigan-Dearborn for over 33 years. She devoted much of her life to the preparation of educators of young children and to a scholarly program of research on teacher education, child development, and educational experiences for young children with and without disabilities,

In addition to teaching and mentoring students, Mary served as Director of the Early Childhood Education Center. She has also served on and chaired numerous committees, led many cooperative programs and projects involving community school districts, actively served on educational boards and advisory groups, and generously given her time sharing her knowledge and best practices in the field of early childhood education.

Mary’s effective and energetic advocacy for high quality education for all young children, combined with her teaching, research and service contributions over a lifetime, exemplify the spirit of Betty Garlick and make her a deserving recipient of this high honor from her professional colleagues. Please join me in congratulating Mary Trepanier-Street!