TCU’s early childhood through sixth-grade education program was named this year’s Billy G. Dixon Distinguished Program in Teacher Education by the Association of Teacher Educators.

The award recognizes programs that demonstrate “collaboration between local education agencies and institutions of higher education in program development and administration,” according to the association.

The program, which has been a finalist for the award for the past two years, prepares students to teach every subject area and children with special needs, according to their website.

The award is presented at an annual awards dinner held by the Association of Teacher Educators, and the winning program receives a plaque and $1,000.

Associate professor of early childhood education Kathleen Kyzar said TCU’s students are able to participate in fieldwork through their local and state partnerships.

They have two partnerships right on campus — Starpoint School for children with learning differences and KinderFrogs School for children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays.

Macy Mounger, a sophomore education major, said she is proud to be an education student and that through the program she has been given opportunities to volunteer at many different local schools. 

“To hear that the program I already adore has received this award makes me feel so blessed to be doing what I love with the absolute best instruction,” Mounger said. “I feel an overwhelming sense of validation for how lucky I am to be a student here.”

The University of Houston won the award in 2018, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas won the award in 2019.