NASHVILLE, TN MAR. 20-22, 2025
B ERTHA D ELGAD i LLO 2024 SCOLT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Spanish Teacher, Woodville-Tompkins High School, Savannah, GA
Bertha Delgadillo , originally from Tampico, Mexico, arrived in the U.S. at 11 facing immigration challenges. Inspired by teachers who saw her through a lens of empathy and supported her dreams, she gained the strength to overcome many obstacles to become a Spanish language teacher in 2006. However, it was not until 2013 that she could use her degree. Since then, she has dedicated herself to fostering a love for the Spanish language and culture and a lifelong and independent learning spirit among her students. In an effort to support the dreams of her students as her teachers once did, Bertha actively secures representation, community engagement, service learning and real-world opportunities so that her learners can experience success in the language with the Spanish-speaking community around them. As other talented teachers have supported her, she enjoys serving the language-teaching community by organizing and providing professional development opportunities for her district, state, and region. In 2020, Bertha became a National Board Certified Teacher, and since then, she has been coaching and motivating colleagues who are interested in the certification. She has facilitated the Georgia HS Spanish professional learning community since 2022. Presently, Bertha is pursuing a Doctorate in Education Innovation, focusing on Secondary Spanish Education because she desires to become a stronger advocate for her students and profession. Bertha was selected at the 2024 SCOLT Conference in Atlanta Georgia as the 2024 SCOLT Regional Teacher of the Year and represented the Southern Region at the 2024 ACTFL Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
SCOLT WORLD LANGUAGES TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
2024: Bertha Delgadillo, GA
2023: Ke Peng, KY
2022: Claudia Elliott, FL
2021: Jenniffer Whyte, AL
2020: Elena Kamenetsky, KY*
2019: Lisa Worthington-Groce, NC
2018: Heidi Trude, VA
2017: Brenna Reinhart Byrd, KY
2016: Laura Roché Youngworth, KY
2015: Leni Bronstein, VA
2014: Pamela Reynolds, AR
2013: Robert Patrick, GA
2012: Thomas Soth, NC
2011: Lisa Podbilski, FL
2010: Clarissa Adams-Fletcher, GA*
2009: Linda Zins-Adams, KY
2008: Carmen Scoggins, NC
2007: Juan Carlos Morales, FL
2006: Tracy Veler Knick, FL
2005: Ken Stewart, NC*
*selected ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year
2025 SCOLT TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMiNEES
a labama
EUN “J EMMA” L EE
Korean Teacher, Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet Middle School, Montgomery, AL
With over 10 years of experience as a public school teacher in Korea and a Bachelor's Degree in English as a Second Language Education, for the past five years, Jemma Lee has been a certified world language teacher specializing in teaching Korean to K-12 students in Alabama, USA. Additionally, she works with the Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership (ALIEEP), where she helps develop a Standard Korean Language curriculum. She will complete her Master's degree in Education, with a major in Curriculum Design and Technology, by May 2025.
“As a foreign language education major, I feel the pride and reward of being a pioneer in teaching my native language, Korean, to American students.”
Florida
M EL i NDA Z EL i FF
German Teacher, Alonso High School, Tampa, FL
Melinda Zeliff is the German Teacher in the IB Program at Alonso High School and an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Melinda was born in Columbus, Ohio and was inspired to learn German by her grandmother, Rosemarie, who was from the Black Forest region of Germany. German was always one of her favorite classes in school and she is devoted to designing meaningful lessons and activities for her students. In addition to teaching, Melinda leads her school’s German Club and Honor Society and volunteers with Suncoast Basset Rescue to help unwanted basset hounds find forever homes.
“It is so important in the world today that people are open-minded, communicative, and conscious of others and the world language classroom is a setting where all of these come together.”
kentucky
STE p HAN i E
B ELLOT-D ONALDSON
Spanish Elementary Immersion Teacher, Hawthorne Elementary School, Louisville, KY
Stephanie Bellot-Donaldson is the 2024 Kentucky World Language Association Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Kentucky NNELL Teacher of the Year. She is a first-generation American from Argentina and a Spanish Literacy teacher at Hawthorne ►
◄ Elementary DLI (Louisville). In 2014, Stephanie joined Teach for America and taught on the south side of Chicago. In 2016, she earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching Bilingual Education and has been a National Board Certified Teacher in Early & Middle Childhood Literacy since 2019.
“The importance of developing language and culture competencies cannot be overstated, particularly in our globalized society where cross-cultural interactions are becoming the norm rather than the exception.”
S HAY STEC k LER
French Teacher, Metairie Park Country Day School, Metairie, LA
Shay Steckler was born in New Orleans, and starting in the third grade, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. She studied French and Elementary Education at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS and in 2006 graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She spent the following year teaching English to elementary students in Montlouis-sur-Loire, near Tours, France as part of the TAPIF program. She returned to New Orleans where she has taught French at Metairie Park Country Day School for 18 years in both middle and high school. In 2015 she earned her Masters of Arts degree in French from the University of New Orleans, and she has presented at national conferences as well as at a local level.
“There is no better way to understand a people and their culture than through their language, and in today’s world where divisiveness and animosity seem to reign supreme, the way to peace and empathy will be through understanding.”
mississippi
C OLETTE Fi ELD
French Teacher, Biloxi High School, Biloxi, MS
Colette Field is a French teacher at Biloxi High School in Biloxi, Mississippi. She has two Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism and French from Kansas State University and studied abroad junior year in Chambéry, France in the late 1900s. After working in marketing and raising children, she rediscovered her passion for all things French, completed alternate route certification and is in her 11th year of teaching French levels 1-4. In 2019, she was awarded a fellowship at CAVILAM-Alliance Française, Vichy. She has served as the AATFMississippi Chapter President since 2022, was a Mississippi STAR Teacher in 2024, and MFLA Teacher of the Year for 2025.
“ w atching my students grow in confidence and expand their vision of what is possible remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.”
louisiana
E M i LY B URRUS
French Teacher & World Language Department Chair, Pisgah High School, Canton, NC
Emily M. Burrus is an award-winning French teacher who transforms classrooms into vibrant cultural hubs, instilling a love for languages that goes beyond the school walls. As the World Language Department Chair at Pisgah High School, Emily has twice been named Teacher of the Year and has received UNC World View’s prestigious Carol Tresolini Award. Emily’s passion for Francophone cultures shines through in her work, from hosting Francophone Week celebrations to adding a dash of French to school celebrations. Her collaborations with institutions like UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, and the French Embassy further her mission to advocate for global language learning.
“Embracing a new language and culture allows for introspection on our own language and culture. Meaningful human connections are formed when we engage with another culture using their language, fostering acts of diplomacy and invaluable relationships.”
Y E i DER G UERRA
Spanish Teacher & World Language Department Chair, Rock Hill High School, Rock Hill, SC
Yeider Guerra is an innovative and dedicated World Language educator with over 15 years of experience teaching Spanish, English, and French across diverse educational settings. Currently serving as Spanish Teacher and World Language Department Chair at Rock Hill High School in South Carolina, Certified in Spanish and ESOL, Yeider is also a certified mentor and peer evaluator. Yeider is the founder of ipracticespanish.com, a comprehensive website offering free resources for Spanish students and teachers worldwide.
“Culturally competent students become bridges and allies to Multilingual Learners, striving to communicate and help, understanding the struggles of expression and comprehension. This empathy creates a ripple effect, fostering a more inclusive society.”
J ANA E NGLE
German Teacher, Dobyns Bennett High School, Kingsport, TN
tennessee Jana Engle teaches German at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport. During her twenty-two years at DBHS, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to high-quality education. Her teaching expertise spans from German 1 to AP German ►
◄ Language and Culture. She goes out of her way to make sure that the students are engaged and excited about learning by incorporating film studies, journaling, guest speakers, virtual discussions and role-playing activities. Additionally, Jana leads Dobyns-Bennett's Tennessee Seal of Biliteracy program, encouraging students to achieve fluency in multiple languages, preparing them for the global workforce.
”In order to thrive in a globally connected world, it will be necessary for all learners to be aware of misunderstandings that can occur when people of different native languages and cultures communicate with one another, and there is no better way to do that than to learn to function in another language and culture.”
AUREN pAZ S OLDAN
Spanish Teacher, Annandale High School, Annandale, VA
Virginia Lauren Paz Soldan is a passionate language educator with 13 years of experience in four different states and Europe. She champions a “relationships first” approach to foster belonging and creates supportive, language-rich environments. Lauren encourages students to explore their own identities and communities before engaging with diverse cultures, emphasizing marginalized voices and culturally relevant topics. In addition to teaching, she serves as department chair, collaborative team lead, and novice teacher mentor. Lauren has presented at GWATFL, FLAVA, and ACTFL conferences and has helped organize local EdCamp events.
“My primary job is as an advocate and safe space for my students. w hile I hope students leave my class with increased linguistic competence in s panish, I’m most proud of the community, friendships, and cultural appreciation we develop together.”
2025 FOUNDERS AWARD W i NNER
Li NDA M AR k LEY
Independent Consultant, The Spirit of Teaching, Merritt Island, FL
It is with great pleasure, humility and honor that I accept this Founder’s Award for SCOLT 2025.
SCOLT has always had such a huge piece of my professional heart, and I can’t even express in words (no matter the language!) my profound gratitude. SCOLT will always be family to me!
E DUCATOR OF ExCELLENCE
D R . C HR i ST i NE Ri NNE
Associate Professor, Dept. of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature, University of South Alabama
It is a tremendous honor to be nominated by the Alabama World Language Association (AWLA) for the SCOLT Educator of Excellence Award; these two organizations are vital to the support and success of our profession. At their conferences, colleagues from our region have inspired me to rethink how I approach teaching German, especially key aspects of student engagement like participation and testing. Learning about opportunities for students at other institutions inspired me to apply for the US Department of Education’s Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program and help implement the Global Engagement Certificate for all undergraduates at the University of South Alabama. I look forward to continuing to learn from and share with colleagues.
LEADERSH ip AWARD W i NNER
C HELSEA L AWRENCE
Spanish Teacher, UMS-Wright Preparatory School
A leader is one who knows his or her strengths and leverages them at the right time to bring forth growth in a team or community. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) and state organizations like the Alabama World Languages Association (AWLA) play a crucial role in developing, empowering, connecting and advocating for teachers and world language education. As a Spanish teacher at UMS-Wright Preparatory School, I have had the blessing to engage with and follow incredible leaders within my school institution and the organizations above that have transformed me into the educator I am today. Furthermore, they have provided me the opportunities and support to develop my own leadership skills through various roles and positions - and for this I am very grateful! While I am firm in the belief that growth as a leader is endless, I am humbled to receive the 2025 SCOLT K-12 Leadership Award.
A NGELA U R i BE
Angela Uribe is a Spanish teacher at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem, NC.
H UAN Z HAN
Huan Zhan is a teaching assistant at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA and plans to teach in a Chinese Immersion setting.
About DR. HERMAN BOST i C k
The Bostick Award grants two conference registrations each year at SCOLT. Always the enthusiastic spokesperson for language education and professionalism, Dr. Bostick, a SCOLT founder, made this award possible to help engage new world language teachers in the rewarding professional experience that is the SCOLT conference.
2024 Kaleb Hyatt (GA) and Leandra Rodriguez (GA)
2023 Cayla Baker (AL)
2022 Doris Feliciano-Vega (SC) and Holly Fitterer (VA)
2021 Maria Elena Gaborov Jones (NC) and Ramiro Bautista (AL)
2019 Che King (GA) and Jessica Warner (KY)
2018 Pedro Feliciano (GA) and Sharwin Snelson (TN)
2017 Hannah Rae Joseph (AL)
2016 Josephine Bloch (NC) and Bridget Huessler (SC)
2015 Margaret Henry (MS) and Tara Goverdhan (GA)
2014 Barbara Hoover (AR) and Vanessa Shepherd (KY)
2013 Kayley Fidishun Bartlett (NC) and Jessica Garvey (AL)
2012 Dara Fickes (VA) and Sara Kolhoff (FL)
2011 Kayla Watson (TN) and Nedra Curtis (NJ)
2010 Grenedi Shamburger (LA) and Corey Evans (SC)
2024 STUDENT SCHOLARSH ip REC ipi ENTS
SCOLT is grateful to Ken Stewart and Vista Higher Learning for providing these scholarships to support Future Language Educators. See scolt.org/awards-and-scholarships for more information.
LUCY Gi ORDANO
Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC
Ken Stewart Future Language Educator Scholarship
L E i D i Di AZ
Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC Spanish and Education
Vista Higher Learning Future Language Educator Scholarship
H UAN Z HAN
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Language and Literacy Education
Vista Higher Learning Future Language Educator Scholarship
2025 CULTR GRANT REC ipi ENTS
Li NG Li ANG
Ling Liang is a 3rd Grade Chinese teacher at International Charter School in Atlanta, GA.
M ONTANA H OFFMAN
Montana Hoffman is a Spanish teacher at Walkertown High School in Walkertown, NC.
T RAVEL SCHOLARSH ip S
SCOLT is grateful to all of these partners for providing travel scholarship opportunities for teachers. See scolt.org/awards-and-scholarships for more information.
CIEL
Dr. Victoria Russell, Professor of Spanish and World Language Education
Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
Centro MundoLengua
Justin Crowe, Spanish Teacher
Loudoun High School, Loudoun, TN
Edu-Inter
Elizabet Carnathan, French Teacher
Decatur High School, Decatur, GA
Estudio Sampere
Leandra Rodriguez, Spanish Teacher
East Coweta Middle School, Senoia, GA
Goethe Institut
Melinda Zeliff, German Teacher
Alonso High School, Tampa, FL
Latino Schools
Montana Hoffman, Spanish Teacher
Walkertown High School, Walkertown, NC
