Mary Trepanier-Street - leader, role model and finisher

Mary Trepanier-Street is more than just a teacher.

She’s a leader, role model and finisher. But most of all, she’s a doer.

That’s how many UM-Dearborn faculty, staff, alumni and students will remember Trepanier-Street, who plans to retire this month. The campus community honored Trepanier-Street on Dec. 2 for her 33 years of service to UM-Dearborn’s School of Education.

Trepanier-Street’s passion for early childhood education, including her work as director of UM-Dearborn’s Early Childhood Education Center, never wavered throughout her long tenure at the University, said Seong Hong.

Hong, associate professor of early childhood education, said Trepanier-Street didn’t approach her role at UM-Dearborn as a job, but more as a “societal responsibility.”

“Every part of our program bears her style and personality,” Hong said.

Gail Bagale worked closely with Trepanier-Street over the years and she said her passion for early childhood education rubbed off on her colleagues.

“She continues to share her wisdom … about the needs of children in foster care,” said Bagale, who helped organize UM-Dearborn’s Save Our Children Coalition.

And her work certainly garnered its share of well-deserved recognition. One of her most recent accomplishments came from Child’s Hope, a nonprofit child abuse prevention council in Wayne County, which named her its 2011 Child Advocate of the Year.

But Trepanier-Street said one of her greatest achievements is preparing students for their teaching careers.

“I have so much pride when I hear about their accomplishments,” she said.

Trepanier-Street admits her decision to retire was a difficult one because of the experiences and relationships she’s built at UM-Dearborn.

“UM-Dearborn has been a good place for me,” she said. “I’ve developed so many friendships and relationships over the years. I am so grateful to the many relationships I’ve established at UM-Dearborn. I’m fortunate to have worked at UM-Dearborn.”

And UM-Dearborn was fortunate to have Trepanier-Street, said Ray Kettel, who retired last year as an associate professor of education.

“Thank you, Mary, for choosing UM-Dearborn and know that a part of you will always remain with us,” Kettel said. “You’re not just another ‘Mary.’ You’re special.”

And although Trepanier-Street is headed into retirement, many of her colleagues expect to see her around campus, as she continues her advocacy for early childhood education.