Lindenwood University's Kappa Delta Pi Tau Phi chapter were recipients of the Celebration of Teaching: Gold Award for 2024. The award, given by the national Kappa Delta Pi organization “honors chapters that go above and beyond in cultivating and retaining top-tier teachers, elevating the teaching profession to new heights.” Kappa Delta Pi, a national honor society for education, boasts over 650 university chapters. The 2024 Gold Award was awarded to only five chapters across the country.

The Tau Phi chapter won the award for their involvement in the Celebration of Teaching and Students Showcase. A three-part event organized and facilitated by the Tau Phi Chapter; the showcase was held throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. The event series recognized those who had completed the teacher preparation program and provided professional development opportunities to university faculty.

Events in the series celebrated the teacher preparation program’s completers. The celebration also acknowledged Outstanding Cooperating Teachers and those who had earned university honors and awards. In addition to the recognition, the events also had recruitment potential as representatives from 20 area school districts were on hand to celebrate and make connections with recent graduates.

The collaborative effort from Tau Phi was an unwavering display of Lindenwood’s values. The Celebration of Teaching and Students Showcase recognized past, present, and future students while supporting educators. On the Showcase, Kappa Delta Pi’s national website told future teachers, “take note! This is how you make waves in the education world and build a community that celebrates the art of teaching.