Announcing the 2025 Division for Early Childhood Award Winners

Each year the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children honors individuals who are making a difference in the lives of infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities or developmental delays and their families. We are excited to announce this year’s award winners.

2025 DEC Student Award – Rachael Montague

The DEC Student Award is awarded to a student enrolled in an associate, bachelor, certificate, or master’s degree program who has demonstrated significant commitment and contributions to enhancing the lives of young children with disabilities and their families through professional activity in the field of inclusive early childhood care and education.

2025 J. David Sexton Doctoral Student Award – Stephanie Fernandez

The J. David Sexton Doctoral Student Award is awarded to a DEC doctoral-level member who has made contributions to young children with disabilities and their families through their efforts in research, higher education, publications, policy, and/or information dissemination. This award is named for J. David Sexton, in honor of his passionate commitment to doctoral leadership preparation. David was revered as an outstanding mentor by those who were fortunate to learn from and with him. The Sexton Award is given to a doctoral student who embodies the leadership characteristics David possessed and worked unselfishly to nurture others. The doctoral student award is supported by David’s colleagues, friends, and family to ensure his contributions to DEC and to leadership preparation live on through a new generation of scholars and leaders in the field.

2025 Rose C. Engel Award for Excellence in Professional Practice – Jasmine Norris and Margarita Cañadas Pérez

The Rose C. Engel Award for Excellence in Professional Practice is awarded to DEC members who are practicing professionals and whose primary role is serving young children with disabilities and their families. This award is given in honor of Rose Engel, DEC’s first president, whose leadership shaped DEC as an organization.

2025 Family Award – Kathleen Gibson and Kristen Paul

The DEC Family Award is given to a DEC member who is a family member of a child with a disability and has made significant contributions through service to the field and community. This award is given in recognition of the vital role of family members their lived experiences and community engagement strengthen the field.

2025 DEC Mentoring Award – Maria Manell and Monique Matute-Chavarria

The DEC Award for Mentoring is given to a DEC member who has provided significant guidance to the development of students and/or new practitioners in the field. This may be, but not limited to, faculty advisors, mentor teachers/providers, administrators/principals, coaches, program managers, family mentors, or supervisors. This award is given to demonstrate the importance of training and guiding the next generation of leaders in the field.

We welcome you to share your messages of congratulations here! Award winners will be celebrated in a virtual awards ceremony this fall. Invitations will be sent to all contacts on the DEC email list. We hope to see you there.