The Division for Early Childhood

The Kathleen W. McCartan Award given to an undergraduate or masters level student who has made significant contributions through their service to the field, community, and professional organizations.  It is given in memory of Kathleen McCartan who was a leader in the field of personnel preparation and served for many years on the Executive Board of DEC.

Nominees for the Kathleen W. McCartan Award shall meet the following criteria:

• Students must be enrolled at the time of the nomination in a degree program in early childhood special education or other disciplines related to service for young children with special needs and their families.
• Students may be nominated who will be graduating from a program the Spring or Summer prior to the Fall presentation of the award.
• Student must be a DEC member.
• Student portfolios will be reviewed for activities experienced during their current graduate program using the following criteria:
  1. Demonstrated excellent scholarship.
  2. Involvement and service rendered in the university/college programs, community, practicum experience, and direct involvement with young children and their families. 
  3. Membership and level of involvement in professional organizations for those that serve young children and their families. 
  4. Leadership experiences and positions within the program or professional organizations.

The individual honored with this award will receive: a plaque given during the opening ceremony of the International DEC Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families, a cash award from the McCartan family, and complimentary conference registration.  The amount of the cash award is determined by the McCartan family.

To nominate an individual for the Kathleen W. McCartan Award:

1.         Review the nomination criteria identified above.

2.         Prepare a nomination portfolio that contains:

• letter of nomination indicating the award for which the person is being nominated and an overview of the individual’s accomplishments related to the criteria established for the award
• two  additional letters of nomination from faculty members within the program, professionals who have benefited from the student’s service, or families who have benefited from the student’s work or service.  At least one of the letters must be from a faculty member.  Recommendations should focus on the student’s contributions and service to the field through scholarship, leadership abilities, and service activities.
• University/college transcript
• the student’s resume or vita

Nominations are due July 15, 2013.   Email nomination portfolios to laurie.dinnebeil@utoledo.edu.