Child's Hope---the nonprofit child abuse prevention council of out Wayne County---has named Mary Trepanier-Street, professor of early childhood education and director of the Early Childhood Education Center at UM-Dearborn, its Child Advocate of the Year for 2011.
The Child Advocate of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual in Wayne County who exemplifies dedication to the safety and well-being of children in general, especially in our community; has made significant contributions to the prevention of child abuse and neglect; demonstrates community involvement for the betterment of the lives of children and families; and takes action to help break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, either by volunteering, mentoring, working on public policy, fundraising or providing direct service.
Those who nominated Trepanier-Street noted her significant contributions as a scholar and an activist on behalf of children, and her tremendous positive impact on children locally through her leadership of the ECEC and the early childhood educator training programs at UM-Dearborn.
As director of the Early Childhood Education Center (formerly Childhood Development Center) since 1995, Trepanier Street has engaged students in the methods of Jean Piaget and Reggio Emilia, and has numerous publications in the areas of early childhood teacher preparation.
The major areas of Trepanier-Street's research are children's gender attitudes, early childhood curriculum, the preparation of early childhood teachers, and Jumpstart, a college student mentoring program for at risk children.
In addition to her teaching and research, Trepanier Street has served in numerous leadership roles in the School of Education, including terms as coordinator of field placement, coordinator of the Master of Arts in education program and chair of the school's state accreditation committee. She also served as associate dean of the School from 2007-2010.
In 2001, Trepanier-Street received UM-Dearborn's Susan B. Anthony Award in recognition for her contributions to gender equity and progress for women.
