The W School of Education celebrates student achievement at Spring Awards Day
The School of Education (SOE) at Mississippi University for Women recently celebrated student achievement, mentorship and educator preparation during its annual Spring Awards Day event.
The celebration recognized outstanding teacher candidates and graduate students across multiple programs while also honoring two faculty and staff members with the SOE annual W Difference Awards. Held Thursday, April 22, the event featured an “out of this world” theme celebrating the impact of educators prepared at The W.
Kelly Ballard, chair of the Department of Education, said the annual event has become an important tradition centered on celebrating growth, persistence and the student experience throughout the educator preparation journey.
“We have celebrated our block students for the past several years because we believe it is important to recognize students as they learn and grow throughout the program,” Ballard said. “These are students who consistently go above and beyond in their classrooms, connect with their students and fully invest themselves in becoming excellent educators. We are incredibly proud of the work they put in throughout the semester, and awards day gives us the opportunity to pause and celebrate that.”
Award recipients were recognized in elementary education, early childhood education, the Master of Arts in Teaching program and the Master of Education programs.
In addition to student honors, the SOE presented its third annual W Difference Awards in honor of former chair Bob Fuller. This year’s recipients were navigator Christi Dillon and faculty instructor Deana Pendley, who works with distance students.
Dean Marty Hatton, who presented the awards, said the recognition reflects the SOE’s commitment to student-centered support and mentorship.
“The W Difference is about making sure students feel supported, encouraged and cared for from beginning to end,” Hatton said. “Christi Dillon and Deana Pendley truly embody that spirit. They consistently meet students where they are, help guide them through challenges and make sure they feel seen and supported throughout their experience at The W. They represent exactly what the W Difference means within the School of Education.”
Award recipients included:
Education Block 1
Alex Acosta
Kaitlyn Alford (Overall Honor Recipient)
Anna House
Michael O’Neill
Kyla Stroud
Miracle Washington
Elementary Education Block 2
Caylon Beckwith
Jeremiah Crawford
Leah Elliott (Overall Honor Recipient)
Melissa Escobar
Octavia Glover
Anna Paige Wilssens
Beverly Wilson
Elementary Education Block 3
Amber Braddock
Laney Ferguson
Kaylie Hickman
Alexandria Lenoir (Overall Honor Recipient)
Elementary Education Internship
Lexie Angle
Maggie Montesi
Alondra Reza (Overall Honor Recipient)
Alyssa Steinport
Kaitlyn Walton
Early Childhood Education (Blocks 2–3)
Joely Garrard (Overall Honor Recipient)
Erica Matlock
Savannah Meyers
Early Childhood Internship
Kaliya Phillips (Overall Honor Recipient)
Master of Arts in Teaching
Jaden Craven (Overall Honor Recipient)
Alexandria Harden Childs
Caitlyn Long
Master of Education
Audrey Foreman (Overall Honor Recipient)
Haley Kelley
Alexa Persons
W Difference Awards
Christi Dillon, navigator
Deana Pendley, faculty
About the School of Education
The School of Education at The W prepares educators who serve classrooms and communities across Mississippi through immersive clinical experiences, mentorship and strong partnerships that support future teachers from recruitment through graduation.
For more information about the School of Education at The W, visit muw.edu/education.