The College of Education is being recognized for its diversity.

According to a press release from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the College of Education received the 2015 AACTE Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural and Diversity for its program of Early Childhood through grade six.

The program helps prepare education students through english as a second language training and other special education courses, according to the College of Education’s press release.

The program also exposes students to diverse school settings. It helps develop confidence and teacher understanding, according to the press release.

Dr. Jan Lacina and Dr. Mary Patton were there to receive the award.

“The AACTE Award for Best Practice for Multicultural and Diversity means so much to all of us in the College of Education,” said Lacina in an email. “For our students, it demonstrates to their future employer that we value culturally responsive teaching, and teaching all children in a way that challenges them academically while also valuing their language and cultural heritage.”

“For our professors, the award recognizes their hard work in planning a program that is nationally recognized,” Lacina said.

The award excited many in the program including Dr. Michelle Bauml.

“I was thrilled to hear that the College of Education’s EC-6 program was selected for such a competitive national award from AACTE,” said Bauml in an email. “School districts actively seek graduates of our program because of the exceptional preparation they receive and because of the caliber of students who are admitted.”

“Being recognized for the work of everyone involved in our program—from faculty and staff to students and their teacher mentors—substantiates TCU’s strong reputation at the local, state and national level,” Bauml said.