Although Kelly and Allison Dwyer did not graduate from the College of Education, their dedication to early childhood education inspired them to establish a scholarship for COE students. Allison graduated from the Moody College of Communications (B.A. ’94) while Kelly graduated from UT Law School (J.D. ’96).
Allison developed her passion for early childhood education after attending graduate school at the University of Houston for communication science and disorders. She has spent years working with the United Way for Greater Austin, where she witnessed firsthand the vital role played by childhood educators. After being a part of her children’s preschool experience and after her own work in a United Way sponsored child development center, Allison learned that she could not begin to quantify the value early childhood educators gave to her children and to her family.
”I learned how little is known by the public or families about early childhood education,” Allison said. ”I would hear people write it off as glorified babysitting, and I just knew those teachers weren’t getting the recognition or support they deserve.”
It was Allison’s involvement with the United Way campaign that ultimately led to the scholarship. “It all ties into trying to tackle the problem earlier and giving all kids the chance to be prepared for a formal classroom environment,” Kelly said.
After learning more about endowed support at the College of Education, the Dwyers decided to take advantage of the University’s matching scholarship program, the Texas Challenge, which provides matching funds to help establish permanent support for in-state students with demonstrated financial need. The Allison and Kelly Dwyer Endowed Scholarship is the first Texas Challenge scholarship to support future early childhood classroom teachers and will fortify the opportunities and experiences for Longhorn teachers for generations to come.
Although their own children do not attend UT, they value the University, and the wealth and knowledge that it brings to Austin and the state of Texas.
”We’ve always been grateful for our kids’ teachers,” Kelly said. ”We’ve always appreciated opportunities to express that in some way. So why not go to the source and support the part of UT that is shaping the teachers of tomorrow?”
To learn more about supporting future teachers and the Texas Challenge, please contact the COE Development team.
