The VOICE of
WAFLT
Spring 2017 Volume 43 Number 2
The VOICE of WAFLT
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Table of Contents WAFLT Executive Board Contact Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 From Your President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SuAnn Schroeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 From Your Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katy Dueppen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Pedagogy, Methodology, and Policy Public Relations/Advocacy Update.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Fowdy & Keely Lake .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Why Learn Languages? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerhard Fischer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 From Your Conference Program Co-Chairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula Johnson-Fox & Susan Loeffler-Bell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Daring to Be Great .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Siggi Piwek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Student as Advocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eddie Lowry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Discover Languages 2017! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Gerlach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2016-17 Contributor Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2016 Awards.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SuAnn Schroeder.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 WAFLT Distinguished Language Educator Speech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Havas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 WAFLT Annual Meeting Minutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Affiliate Organization Newsletters The National Network for Early Language Learning – NNELL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 American Association of Teachers of French – Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 American Association of Teachers of German – Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Wisconsin Association of Teachers of Japanese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Wisconsin Latin Teachers Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
WAFLT Mission: The purpose of WAFLT shall be to promote, strengthen, and facilitate the teaching and life-long learning of world languages and cultures in schools and communities to meet the needs of our increasingly interdependent world.
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The VOICE of WAFLT
WAFLT Executive Board & Contacts for Wisconsin Association For Language Teachers President SuAnn Schroeder Medford Area High School president@waflt.org
New Visions in Action Subcommittee Chair / Finance Committee Chair
President-Elect
Kyle Gorden Elkhorn Area High School gordky@elkhorn.k12.wi.us
Linda Havas Greendale Schools awards@waflt.org
Communications & Publications Chair
Past-President
Lauren Rosen University of Wisconsin webmaster@waflt.org
Josh LeGreve Green Lake School District joshlegreve@gmail.com Secretary Brian Wopat Onalaska High School wopbr@gmail.com
Member Services Subcommittee Chair Victoria Carter Onalaska High School carvi@onalaskaschools.com
CSC Grants-Subcommittee Chair Becky Murphy Golda Meir Middle School, Milwaukee rmurphyrm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us Student Travel Scholarship Subcommittee Chair Paula Meyer Appleton North High School meyerpaula@aasd.k12.wi.us Professional Development Scholarship Subcommittee Chair Jeanne Schuller UW-Madison jmschuel@wisc.edu Tommorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Subcommittee Chair
Treasurer
The VOICE of WAFLT Subcommittee Chair/Editor
Karen Fowdy kfowdy@gmail.com
Kellie Michels Muskego High School treasurer@waflt.org
Katy Dueppen Verona Area High School voice@waflt.org
Professional Development Chair
DPI International Education/World Languages Consultant
Advertising Subcommittee Chair
Anita Alkas UW-Milwaukee alkhas@uwm.edu
Josh LeGreve Green Lake School District advertising@waflt.org
Future Teachers Subcommittee Chair
Public Relations / Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
Pablo Muirhead Milwaukee Area Technical College muirheap@matc.edu
Karen Fowdy kfowdy@gmail.com
HS Guests Subcommittee Chair
Gerhard Fischer gerhard.fischer@dpi.wi.gov NNELL Representative Jessica Bradley Highland View Elementary jessica.bradley@greendale.k12.wi.us Fall Conference Program Committee Co-Chairs Paula Johnson-Fox Susan Loeffler-Bell Muskego High School program@waflt.org Local Arrangements/Exhibits SubCommittee
Keely Lake Wayland Academy klake@wayland.org Discover Languages Contest Coordinator Justin Gerlach Mishicot High School advocacy@waflt.org
Grants & Scholarships Committee Sarah Fortman Lake Denoon Middle School, Muskego Chair Ashley Reinke Sherman Middle School, Madison exhibits@waflt.org
Stephanie Krenz Stoughton High School grants@waflt.org
Danielle Chaussee Oconomowoc High School chausseed@oasd.org Amber Little Stoughton High School amber.little@stoughton.k12.wi.us Mentoring/Leadership Project Karen Fowdy kfowdy@gmail.com
Summer Professional Development Chair Lisa Hendrickson lisahen3@gmail.com MOPI Training Coordinator Jodi Ziemann jziemann@berlin.k12.wi.us Language Association Representatives AATF-WI President Andrea Behn Parker High School, Janesville abehn@janesville.k12.wi.us AATG-WI President Siggi Piwek Milwaukee German Immersion School piweks@milwaukee.k12.wi.us WiATJ President Shinji Takahashi UW-Milwaukee takahash@uwm.edu WLTA President Dan Tess Brookfield Central High School tessd@elmbrookschools.org OWL Vacant WACLT President Zona Karaliussen The Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners zfkaroliussen@gbaps.org AATSP-WI President Lisa Bane Tia Lita, LLC tialitaedu@gmail.com
The VOICE of WAFLT appears twice annually, in the spring and fall, with copy deadlines of January 1 and May 15. Manuscripts describing world language pedagogy as well as study and travel opportunities and experiences are always welcome, and, if accepted, generally will appear in the next issue. Submissions for publication should be saved as a Microsoft Word document and sent as an email attachment to the editor. Any photos or graphics must be sent as separate attachments in a .jpg format.
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From Your President ... s world language teachers, we have a distinct opportunity to deliver an appreciation of today’s cultural diversity in the world. Maybe now, more than ever, we are needed to show others how learning languages is not just another elective course, but a necessary skill for all members in this ever-increasingly pluralistic society. Bilingualism (or better yet, multilingualism) is a requisite for anyone who aspires to better understand other cultures around the world and who wants to be competitive in the global job market.
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In world language classrooms across the state and the country, we enrich lives and teach our students to respect others. Cultural and linguistic diversity is viewed as an invaluable asset that can bridge seemingly separate worlds. We are role models who demonstrate how respect and communication can create a world where all people feel valued. We educators have an important goal of creating empathetic, globally-prepared citizens. We educators know that learning world languages opens doors and provides an infinitude of opportunities. When we learn another language, our very lives are changed; our perspectives are more inclusive and accepting. Those of us who speak a second language have maybe felt the warmth of a Chinese welcome, the hospitality of a Hispanic neighbor, or the genuine smile of a Nigerian friend. We have experienced treasured memories of people and places around the world. We know that these experiences have shaped who we are today, our core beliefs, and our values. When we fully engage our students in a language and culture, we give them purpose to continue. It is up to us as language
educators to show our students the world and inspire them to go out and make their mark in it. Across Wisconsin, world language educators are collaborating to make their own teaching more effective. WAFLT is committed to providing professional development on language acquisition and proficiency-based standards. Increasing the language proficiency levels of our students has to be a priority in our classrooms. To this end, WAFLT has teamed up with ACTFL to offer Modified Oral Proficiency Interview (MOPI) trainings in Wisconsin. Those of us who have attended the WAFLT Fall Conference, Summer Institute, and the many other WAFLT opportunities, realize the difference that this open professional dialogue makes in our classrooms. The collaborative efforts of teachers around the state has led to these amazing opportunities. For language study to be viewed as important, not only at home but across the country, it needs our continuous advocacy. As we see education budgets decline and more course requirements in schools, student choice may be limited. We must engage our students in ways that will motivate them to continue their language studies until proficiency. Our students’ success stories are our own. In our communities, we must also promote the inherent value of bi/multilingual individuals. Collaboration with other curricular disciplines, as well as ESL professionals, will help us promote the Seal of Biliteracy and the Global Education Achievement Certificate across the state. Our efforts will be compounded if we work together to help the public view multilingualism as an advantage...and a necessity.
SuAnn Schroeder
Being a world language educator is not easy. In short, we must advocate for our programs, produce students with high levels of proficiency, inspire students to be global citizens, and show people that multilingualism is an invaluable skill for the global marketplace. That’s a pretty tall order with everything else that’s required of us. But when we do have the time to step back and re-focus, remembering the incredible importance of our jobs, we can’t help but see the value of our efforts. We can’t help but envision those students who are going to go out and make the world a better place; because we have offered them this gift – compassion for others and language skills to create relationships around the world. WAFLT has been here to support Wisconsin world language education for over 100 years. We are lucky to have so many incredible educators across the state who are willing to share ideas and collaborate. As we continue to strengthen and grow as an organization, realize that it takes a village. It takes all of us language educators to strengthen our programs and increase the vitality of world language learning overall. Thank you for helping to shape young minds in our interconnected world. Yours in world language education, SuAnn Schroeder
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The VOICE of WAFLT
From Your Editor ... e were spoiled with a break from winter weather this February in Wisconsin. It took away the winter “blahs” and recharged me, and I feel like I can get through the end of the school year! Isn’t it funny how a small change from the ordinary changes our whole perspective on things?
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In this edition of The Voice you will have the opportunity to “meet” our new WAFLT President, SuAnn Schroeder, through her welcome message. SuAnn’s message is timely for the current state of our world. Not only are we teaching important skills for linguistic and globally-prepared competencies, we are also helping to lead our learners to empathy, compassion, respect, and understanding.
In his article for this edition of The Voice, AATG President, Siggi Piwek, dares us to be great. Eddie Lowry, professor of Greek and Latin at Ripon College and former WAFLT President, introduces us to a senior student at Ripon College who advocated for the continued study of languages as his senior project. This edition of The Voice also includes updates from our affiliate organizations, highlights from the 2016 Fall Conference, and the Discover Languages Postcard Contest winners.
embraced language learning and leading with language every step of the way. Thank you, Josh, for your leadership! How can WAFLT help you to lead with languages? Our organization is strong because of its dedicated members. Stay involved! Happy Spring! Katy Dueppen
As a closing note, 2016 wrapped up Josh LeGreve’s tenure as WAFLT President. Josh, like many of you, is a product of a Wisconsin world languages education. He has
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Public Relations / Advocacy Update by Keely Lake & Karen Luond Fowdy hen asked in the past about why I care so much about Advocacy, I have answered with a movie reference: Classicists don’t just go to the bunker in times of crisis—we live in the bunker. Imagine a world where you do not just get questions as to why you have to speak another language “when the whole world is learning English” but also my perennial favorites, “Latin? They still teach that?” and “Who are you going to talk to, the Pope?” Now, besides the fact that a student of Dr. Zarrow, our recent ACTFL Teacher of the Year, actually did get to speak to the Pope, you just know that you need to have an elevator speech for the Classics. Most of us crafted it for our parents when we fell in love with Latin and Ancient Greek in the first place.
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Over the years my elevator speech has changed, but my recognition of its importance has not. We all are responsible for instilling an understanding of the importance of our subject in our students. Their enthusiasm and joy will make discussions with their parents easier as you help them see the importance of languages. Those parents in turn will support you as you work with that new administrator who does not get it yet, or with the school board that suddenly looks at cutting your department to fund some hot new program. Those same parents can also help you forge bonds with the community. Supportive communities, those with their eyes opened to the global world we live in and the benefits of participating in it, are the next step to breaking down all the walls between us.
So what can you do? Promote what your students CAN DO; focus on proficiency so that your students feel the joy of what they can do with the language and the skills they are taking beyond the classroom walls. Help them be reflective learners who can articulate the importance of languages and cultures beyond their own. Contact a parent after a good incident with a student, not just when you have a concern about a child. Send blurbs to your school and city newspaper with awards and achievements. The camera on your phone should be your friend — snap a picture and send it in too! Reach out to teachers in other departments to work on cross-curricular units. Hang student work in the halls. Have your kids participate in club fairs and all-school events. Any time you can make your program visible makes your program more indispensable, but it starts with engaged and confident students.
Another huge impact you can make is to contact your legislators in good times so that your voice is louder in times of crisis. If that just seems too unattainable, there is an easy solution that does still help. Sign up for alerts through ACTFL’s Capwiz program (capwiz.com/actfl/home/). Every email sent is important. If you have friends or family who also care, ask them to sign up as well. There really is someone in each office who counts the contacts concerning each issue, and so numbers really matter here. The last impact I would mention is to stay strong and stay positive. It is hard in the winter months as the grading piles up, but each day is a chance to change the lives of our students as well as a fresh chance to make the point that Languages Matter!
WAFLT leadership at the 2016 Fall Conference: Incoming PresidentElect, Linda Havas; Past-President, Keely Lake; President-Elect, SuAnn Schroeder; President, Josh LeGreve.
Keely Lake
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The VOICE of WAFLT
Why Learn Languages? by Gerhard Fischer, International Education &World Languages Education Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
he debate about the purpose of education frames the debate about the purpose of language education. When we reduce the mission of secondary education to preparation for career and college without including the larger goal of educating responsible citizens, we all lose. This is the scary era of fake news and Orwellian semantics, not just in this country but increasingly in other western industrialized nations as well. When Breitbart “News” recently posted a fake report in Germany claiming that hundreds of Northern Africans had set a church in Cologne on fire, German police had to issue statements to the German public to make sure people understood this was fake news, that this was disinformation. I am most definitely in favor of making sure that all of our students acquire the skills that make them successful in careers and college. I will also say, though, that the leader of the German right-wing (most will say fascist) party AfD has a PhD in chemistry. In other words, preparation for highly skilled jobs is separate from educating students to be responsible citizens. American public schools were created to form and support a democratic society. John Dewey’s best known book is entitled Democracy and Education. It would serve us well to understand that challenges to democratic structures transcend national boundaries. The only response I know is to educate students not only for successful careers, but also for the future of societies that care about democracy, human rights, and sustainable environments.
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This is why I think language learning is so important: languages connect, they build bridges, and multilingual individuals tend to be able to see issues from multiple perspectives. Learning languages is a cornerstone of global education. It is a not a sufficient but necessary condition for responsible citizenship. It is also greatly needed for career and college preparation. Recently I found several documents in my file cabinet that drew my attention. One of them was a booklet published by the DPI in 1942 by a gentleman named Frank J. Klier. The state superintendent at the time was John Callahan, whose picture, along with those who came before and after him, graces the walls in front of the work space of the current office holder. The booklet is titled Language Teaching in Wisconsin Public High Schools 1941-42. Mr. Klier goes through all the usual statistics about language enrollments, which stood at 13 percent of the total student population with Latin and German as the strongest languages! His most insightful comments are at the end, and I am copying them here to demonstrate how little the discussion has changed. Clearly, the Department of Public Instruction saw the value of language education in the creation of understanding and peace. I will leave it to you to determine whether or not these comments have value for what you do in your classroom. I encourage you to seek conversations about the purpose of our profession with your colleagues, administrators, and school boards to create a common
understanding of why language learning is an essential component in our efforts to prepare students for careers, college, and democracy. The Need for Languages in War and Peacei During the war, persons skilled in language are needed in military, economic, and political warfare. There is a demand for censors, translators, interpreters, etc., for which a thorough training in languages is the prerequisite. […] While the war may not directly affect the language needs of pupils now in high school, and regardless of whether or not they plan to attend college, they will be citizens of post-war America, with the opportunities and responsibilities which the term “citizen” implies. Secondary schools now more than ever before have a chance to be instrumental in shaping the coming forms of civilization. In more than one respect can the high school be considered a training ground of citizens of the post-war world, who are to be endowed with the human and social qualities required of the builders of such a world. […] In peacetime, when it comes again, there will still be the cultural, the travel, and the business needs and uses of languages. But the main uses will be in meeting the needs for the rehabilitation of countries and peoples. It is hoped that in the post-war world isolationism and the proverbial American provincialism will have no place.
The VOICE of WAFLT
The hope of understanding other peoples in a world made small by post-war means of communication and transportation rests on the hope that more persons than ever before will know languages other than their own; and through those become acquainted with the manners and customs, the psychology, the spirit, the ideals, and the aspirations of other nations. The new methods in teaching emphasize the
role of language as an art, and its influence on human relations. It is the basis in the field known as the Humanities. Science, as such, is impersonal and unmoral. It may be directed to good ends or to evil ones, depending on the ethics and morals of those who use it. Thus, the Humanities are the subjects which leading thinkers everywhere are now emphasizing as the influences which must guide science
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into constructive and beneficial channels. They are the subjects which must make and keep mankind “human.” As the custodians of mankind’s beliefs, dreams, hopes, and aspirations, the Humanities—and chiefly languages— must not only be revived and kept alive, but our faith in them must be clarified and strengthened. ___________ i
Klier, Frank J. 1942. Language Teaching in Wisconsin Public High Schools 1941-1942. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Madison, WI 1942
Professional Development Opportunities Curriculum Writing Days June 20-22, 2017, Greendale High School | Information: wi-nell.org WAFLT Summer Language Leadership Institute July 31-August 2, 2017, UW-Madison | Information: waflt.org MOPI Assessment Workshop August 3-4, 2017, UW-Madison | Information: waflt.org Wisconsin Association For Language Teachers (WAFLT) Fall Conference November 2-4, 2017, Appleton, WI | Information: waflt.org American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Conference November 17-19, 2017, Nashville, TN | Information: actfl.org FLESFEST Spring 2018 | Information: www.wi-nell.org Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages March 8-10, 2018, Milwaukee, WI | Information: csctfl.org Join a Language Listserv : Communicate with other language teachers; post and/or read notices of importance to teachers of specific languages. Through DPI: To subscribe, send an e-mail message to: majordomo@badger.state.wi.us. Write nothing in the “Subject” line. In body of message write: Subscribe French (or German, Japanese, Spanish, Latin) Through Your Language Association: Go to: waflt.org – On the home page, click on Wisconsin Language Associations. Contact the organization to find out
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The VOICE of WAFLT
From You Conference Program Co-Chairs ... he 2017 WAFLT Fall Conference will be held November 2-4, 2017. This year's conference theme is “Reach Beyond the Horizon: Maximizing Effective Language Teaching and Cultivating Enhanced Student Proficiency.”
The deadline to submit proposals is March 15, 2017. As you submit your proposal, be sure to:
To receive notification when the pre-conference booklet has been posted to the website, your membership must be current. Please head to our website at waflt.org and take a moment to renew your membership and ensure your account information is correct. Also, visit the website throughout the year to learn of the many opportunities your WAFLT organization offers.
C Verify with your school district that email from waflt.org is not blocked.
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We invite you to “pay it forward” and share your best ideas by submitting a proposal to present at the 2017 WAFLT conference. The continued success of our conference depends on professionals like you who share their time and ideas as presenters. Many members gave suggestions for future presentations in this year’s online evaluation. Here are some ideas to further guide your proposals: C What strategies do you use to move your students to higher proficiency levels? C How do you motivate your students to take ownership of their learning? C How do you help your students see and control their progress? C How have you successfully integrated technology into your classroom? C What practices, activities, and assessments do you use that would be especially helpful to new teachers?
C Verify that your account information is current and contains an email address you can access year-round. WAFLT communicates only via email.
We look forward to the 2017 Fall Conference and thank you once again for your input and feedback. Should you have any questions, please contact us at program@waflt.org. Paula Johnson-Fox Susan Loeffler-Bell
C Fill in all parts of the online form for a successful proposal submission. C Enter the name, position, and school/company/organization for all session presenters as they should appear in the conference program. C Select one person as the primary presenter and ensure that he/she is a current member of WAFLT. Only the primary presenter will receive information about proposals. In addition, only primary presenters will receive free registration to the conference and an honorarium. C Verify that your session has been submitted by logging in to your WAFLT account and clicking on “My Proposals.”
Complete details about the WAFLT Fall Conference can be found online at waflt.org under the “Annual Conference” tab
Donna Clementi Blue Ribbon School Award for Excellence in World Language Programs Do you have a school or district World Language Program that is worthy of praise? Do you have an exemplary program model, well-articulated curriculum, stellar staff, advocacy and outside community support, and program/student achievement results that speak to the excellence of your school(s)? If so, then nominate your school(s) for this special award! Details can be found at waflt.org
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Daring to be Great by Siggi Piwek, WI-AATG President et's face it; many of us have a difficult time to state in front of our peers that we want to be great. Does it seem egotistical to think or admit aloud that this is our goal as a teacher? We don't expect anything less from our athletes, so why should this be different for us. In February, I was honored to present the keynote address at our annual FLESFEST. To prepare myself for this event, I did a lot of reading and reflecting. During the process, I came across a book by Dave Burgess titled Teach Like a Pirate, and some of his ideas really made me think. If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. Burgess (p.145,146) points out that the stated goal and pursuit of greatness (a) enhances opportunities and possibilities for others, (b) raises the bar for others, (c) provides a model for others to emulate, and (d) contributes to the school culture necessary to create the environment for greatness to flourish. If we can agree that these are valid reasons to strive to be great, what barriers exist that prevent us from being “the best we can be?” Burgess (p.154-160) suggests five reasons that are holding us back from beginning our journey to be great.
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First is our fear of failure. If we believe that our time and energy commitment might be wasted, we may be too paralyzed to even start. Our and our colleagues' experiences, that even when we expend great effort and skill, not everything will work out 100 % of the time, may make us less likely to take risks and step outside of our comfort zones. Second may be our belief that we need to have it all figured out before we begin. Sometimes when taking a leap of faith trying something new, we
fall flat on our faces. Aren’t those the experiences which contribute most to our growth as educators? Third, our attitude to be able to do something perfectly before we do it, may prevent us from moving forward with new, creative ideas. There is no substitute for action. Fourth is our difficulty to prioritize. Burgess suggests that we learn to say “yes” to the significant things, and “no” to projects and activities that sap our time and energy. I still struggle to say “no,” because the less important tasks also need to get done, and no one else steps forward.
Finally, there is the fear of criticism or ridicule. If you have “broken away from the pack” by taking risks trying out a new idea, and it didn't work out, there will certainly be some critics to give you grief about it. Don't let that discourage you! Learn from it. As one of the benefits of being an ACTFL member, I receive the magazine The Language Educator. I cut out the small table below, and carry it in my wallet. About once a week I pull it out to check how I am doing on my journey to be a leader. Some weeks I am doing better than others, but I keep trying. After all, it is a journey. On that note; seize the day and dare greatly to be great!
Strategies for Empowering Educators and LEADing the Way
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Leadership: Why We Need Educators to Be Leaders C Answer the call to action C Let your voice be heard at the crossroads C Build a generation of globally competent youth C Lead others to embrace interculturality
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Effective Practices and Strategies to Grow as a Leader C Be a learner C Be curious C Be collaborative C Be reflective C Be passionate
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Arena: Have the Courage to Get in the Arena C Engage in change C Join PLCs, state organizations, committees C Attend and present at conferences C Participate in advocacy and leadership efforts C Share your journey with others
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Dare Greatly: Expand Your Sphere of Influence C Take a risk in the arena C Dare to be inspired and take on one challenge C Motivate a colleague to get in the arena C Don’t wait until you are perfect or bulletproof!
Source: Empowering Educators, by Lea Graner Kennedy and Brandon Locke; The Language Educator, August/September 2016, published by ACTFL.
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The VOICE of WAFLT
Student as Advocate by Eddie Lowry, Greek and Latin, Ripon College WAFLT President, 2001-02 Ripon College senior, garbed in an authentic, custom-made toga (not a bedsheet!), for the culmination of his required senior project, delivered an original Latin oration in which he defended the study of all foreign languages and especially the study of Latin.
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Ryan M. Slattery as Ripon’s “Cicero”
Ryan M. Slattery, who also majored in history, designed this public event as a part of his self-designed major in Classical Languages. Entitled Studiorum Classicorum et Linguae Latinae Laudatio (“Praise for Classical Studies and the Latin Language”), his Latin oration was based on some elements of information he had earlier gathered to write a short thesis (in English) on the place of languages in American education as revealed in statistics gathered from the 20th century. To this information he added appropriate Latin stylistic embellishment as well as other laudable items. Ryan’s interest in these matters was piqued by college administration proposals, validated by majority faculty vote, to cut Ripon language programs the previous semester.
Abolished in the interests of finance were the Latin minor and a visiting professor position in Classical Studies; the major in French; and the entire German program, including a tenured position. As a concerned language student, Ryan created an occasion to give expression to his disaffection and to his dismay. Modeling the diction and style of his speech on the oratory of Cicero, Ryan did, however, assume a brief initial role as epic poet, imitating a Vergilian invocation of the Muses for casting an aura of solemnity upon his words: “Without delay I would like to call upon the Muses almighty. Let my tongue speak truly, let my voice carry quickly, let my words resonate across the sinews of space and time today and tomorrow and for all eternity!” (Utinam loquatur certe lingua mea, utinam mea vox ferat celeriter, utinam resonent mea verba trans nervos spatii temporisque hodie et cras et per omnia saecula.) With Cicero as his guide, Ryan in particular followed the language and imagery of Cicero’s orations that disclosed and vilified the conspiracy of Catiline in 63 BCE. Referring to Ripon deliberations and to actions of which students were unaware, Ryan declaimed in the full emotion and hyperbole of Roman oratory: “Solum anno priore linguae peregrinae rapiebantur, cingebantur, trucidabantur, iugulabantur inclementer intempesta nocte. Impetus celer offerebat nihil temporis ad defendendum et certe nihil ad dolendum. Gallicus, Germanicus, Graecus, Romanus, Hispanus sanguis ad huc inquinat manus
administrationis. Nullum verbum publicum ad discipulos accessit priusquam corpora linguarum peregrinarum iacebant frigida examina in sarcophagis sepulta alta…. Honorabo laudabo decorabo occisas linguas inferas.” (“Only last year foreign languages were grabbed, cornered, cut to pieces, butchered mercilessly in the dead of night. The attack, swift, offered no time for defense and certainly none to grieve. French, German, Greek, Roman, Spanish blood still stains the hands of the administration. No official word to students came before bodies of foreign languages were lying cold, spiritless in sarcophagi…. I shall honor, I shall praise, I shall embellish the fallen languages in the lower world.”) Anticipating the objection that Latin has no value, Ryan cited three internationally known figures having Latin in their background: Mark Zuckerberg (“Marcus Montzuckeris”) who read French, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek; J.K. “Rowlinga”, who studied French, Latin, and Greek at university; and “Gulielmus Portae, auctor MicroMollis” who studied Latin and Greek in high school. He expressed perplexity about gifts of more than $12 million already raised for a new gymnasium (“duodecim decies centenarum miliarum dollarium”) and “no few pennies” (“nulli pauci denarii”) available to save languages. He also took note of a recent major gift to the college to support student foreign study and declared: ”Think about the rewards and usefulness of foreign study in which a student speaks the language. The student
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illustrates the difference between a vacation and a voyage for learning.” (“Cogitate de praemiis et utilitatibus studii peregrini in quo discipulus linguam dicit: discipulus discrepantiam praebet feriarum et itineris discendi.”) In summary of his argument for the value of language study, Ryan offered a quotation from MLA President William Riley Parker a half century earlier (1966): “Although a student could acquire insights into other cultures through music or fine arts, although he traveled abroad far and wide, he has not experienced a diverse culture through symbols spoken and written by which uniquely it reveals itself.” (“Quamquan discipulus potuit adquirere iudicia culturarum aliarum per artem vel musicam vel artes elegantes, quamquam peregrinatus est longe et late, non expertus est recte culturam diversam symbolis dictis et scriptis quibus singulariter se profert in lucem.”) Following Ryan’s oration, an informal reception featured authentic Roman refreshments arranged by Myat Aung, also a senior with double majors in Classical Studies (self-designed) and in Art History. She is now a graduate student in Art History at the University of Iowa with Roman art as a special field. Ryan, who earned the Ripon prize as top ROTC cadet, was an Army selection to teach English to Kosovar soldiers in Kosovo in summer 2015. Commissioned a second lieutenant following his graduation, he is now serving at Fort Benning GA. Interlinear Latin-English translations were distributed to Ryan’s audience, largely Latinless but attentive and supportive. To make himself an authentic “orator Latinus,” he Latinized
his oratorical name as Regulus Mikhael Slatterius. “Regulus” translates his Irish name meaning “Little King”; Mikhael is a directly borrowed Hebrew name; Slatterius is simply an ad hoc Latinized version of a surname of unclear origin.
Orator Ryan M. Slattery with Josh LeGreve, WAFLT President 2014-16
Josh LeGreve, WAFLT President 2014-16; Ryan M. Slattery, orator; Myat Aung, student coordinator of Roman refreshments for the occasion
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Discover Languages 2017! by Justin Gerlach, Discover Languages Contest Coordinator n 2008, WAFLT and Discover Languages Wisconsin launched the first edition of the Student Video & Postcard Contests. These contests are based on the ACTFL Discover Languages Campaign. Fast forward to 2017 and our contests are continuously celebrating and recognizing our students’ connections to world languages in Wisconsin. Our contests are designed for all students in Wisconsin from pre-kindergarten to post-secondary school to demonstrate how much languages mean and how important they are in their daily lives.
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This year’s contest theme is: Languages – Reach Beyond the Horizon!
Congratulations to our 2016 Contest Winners
Abigail – Plymouth High School
Entries are due by October 2, 2017 and winners will be honored during the Friday Luncheon at the WAFLT Fall Conference in November. Check out the Public Relations tab at the WAFLT website for contest details. The postcards are an outstanding vehicle for language program awareness and promotion. Use them to inform parents of the progress of their child in your classroom or to showcase current and upcoming events in your language program. Additionally, consider using the postcards to inform your administration, school board, and community members of the great things that are happening in world languages with your students. The videos can be used in a similar format to showcase your students and program during orientations and open house events in your school district. Ultimately, you are providing your students’ perspective of why languages are so very important to all students in Wisconsin.
Ngoc – Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam
Be a part of the Discover Languages Wisconsin Student Video & Postcard Contests at waflt.org We hope to hear from you and please keep up the outstanding work educating your communities on the importance of languages. Let Wisconsin Discover Languages!
Moritz – Green Lake Elementary
Congratulations to our 2016 Video Contest Winners Sarah, Chi, Tianyi, Paul, and Valentina Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam
Lucy – Woods School, Lake Geneva
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2018 Central States Conference
A joint conference of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers March 8 – 10, 2018 Hilton City Center Milwaukee, WI For more information, contact Patrick T. Raven CSCTFL Executive Director 7141A Ida Red Road Egg Harbor, WI 54209 Phone: 414-405-4645 Fax: 920-868-1682 E-mail: CSCTFL@aol.com Web: www.csctfl.org
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Thank You, Contributors! WAFLT thanks the following individuals for their contributions in 2016–17.
General Endowment Fund Linguiphile ($100+)
Sponsor ($25-49)
Contributor ($1-24)
Donna L. Clementi Richard Olson
Deb Bowe-Wielgus Jaci Collins Jacquelyn L. Dove Justin Gerlach Linda Havas E. Alan Magnuson Lynn Sessler Neitzel Cathy Stresing
Sharon Bradish Danielle Chaussee Natalia DeLaat Laura Dell Landázuri Katy Dueppen Diane Flanders (In memory of Jeanette Fox, Jeri Pearson, and Jim Oakley)
Benefactor ($50-99) Lisa Hendrickson Paul Sandrock
Jean Hindson Amber Kraus Pablo Muirhead Lorraine Poplaski Gerri Wrege Deana Zorko
Professional Development Scholarship Fund
Student Travel Scholarship Fund
(Honoring Dr. Roma Hoff, Dr. Connie Knop & Dr. Irène Kraemer)
(Honoring O. Lynn Bolton)
Linguiphile ($100+)
Contributor ($1-24)
Linguiphile ($100+)
Contributor ($1-24)
Donna Clementi Richard Olson Paul and Nuria Hoff
Sharon Bradish Natalia Delaat Laura Dell Landázuri Diane Flanders (In memory of Jeanette Fox, Jeri Pearson, and Jim Oakley) Karen Fowdy Jean Hindson Pablo Muirhead Lynn Sessler Neitzel Gerri Wrege Deana Zorko
Richard Olson
Sharon Bradish Natalia Delaat Laura Dell Landázuri Diane Flanders (In memory of Jeanette Fox, Jeri Pearson, and Jim Oakley) Chie Kakigi (In memory of Jim Oakley) Sy Kreilein Pablo Muirhead Regina Porter Lynn Sessler Neitzel Gerri Wrege Deana Zorko
Benefactor ($50-99) Peter Hoff Sponsor ($25-49) Justin Gerlach Sy Kreilein E. Alan Magnuson Mara Marks Michelle Nielsen
Benefactor ($50-99) Peter B. Hoff Sponsor ($25-49) Kelly Ferguson Justin Gerlach E. Alan Magnuson
Your Contributions Are Appreciated! Please consider contributing to one or more of these funds for 2016-17. You can do this online at waflt.org – log into your online account, and click “Endowment Contributions” on the top of the page to make your contribution, or mail your check to P.O. Box 1493, Appleton, WI 54912, noting to which fund(s) you would like your donation assigned.
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2017 WAFLT Summer Institute July 31-August 2 Pyle Center — UW-Madison
Taking the Lead: Proficiency-Oriented Programs in Practice Designing and Delivering Effective Instruction Presentations include: C ACTFL Core Practices - Andrea Behn C Proficiency-Oriented Program Design - Greendale World Language Department C Performance-based Curriculum Design and Proficiency Writing Assessments - Stoughton World Language Department C Leadership Training - Lynn Neitzel C Follow-up Discussion and Collaboration Time Team Discounts and Graduate Credit Available!
Go to waflt.org/conferences-events/summer-institute/ to register Image source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e6/89/73/e6897388860b21e3b04c1a0d59972b25.jpg
MOPI Assessment Workshop August 3-4, 2017 Pyle Center — UW-Madison The Modified Oral Proficiency Interview (MOPI) Workshop is an intensive two-day introduction to the techniques of administering and rating the Oral Proficiency Interview at the Novice and Intermediate levels. Enrollment is limited to 10 participants per workshop. Four workshops are available in the following languages: C Spanish C French C German C English / Mixed language
Go to waflt.org/conferences-events/mopi-workshop/ to register
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2016 Awards/Grants by SuAnn Schroeder
Every year, in an effort to celebrate the exceptional work of our membership, WAFTL recognizes students, teachers, and collaborators in language education in the state of Wisconsin. Thank you to members for recognizing colleagues, students, and stakeholders, inspiring and encouraging them to continue their successes in world languages and global awareness. Thank you to this year’s Awards Committee members–Richard Kania, Zona Karoliussen, Keely Lake, Sigurd Piwek, and Gladys Wisnefski—who volunteered their time to review each nomination and to help in recognizing so many of our dedicated colleagues.
2016 WAFLT Distinguished Language Educator Each year, WAFLT honors one of its members as the Distinguished Language Educator. This award recognizes excellence in language teaching and/or administration, long-term achievements, and service to WAFLT and the language profession locally, regionally, and nationally. WAFLT is proud to present Linda Havas as the 2016 WAFLT Distinguished Language Educator honoree. Linda is currently a German educator in the Greendale School District and a Teacher Consultant for Wisconsin Virtual School, based out of Tomahawk, WI. Prior to her position in Greendale, Linda was an educator in several other districts including Mequon-Thiensville, Shorewood, and Elkhorn. For more than 20 years Linda has inspired students to learn German, but also to become global citizens in an increasingly more connected world.
Linda Havas is presented the Distinguished Language Educator Award from WAFLT President Josh LeGreve.
With an educational philosophy of “question everything,” Linda wants her students to press, inquire, and never be passive learners. She wants them to discover the wonders of learning a language and its culture on their own, with her simply as their guide. Linda strives to have her students view multiple perspectives and attain a cross-cultural understanding of topics to prepare them for our global society. She provides her students with these cultural experiences in and outside of the classroom. For years, Linda has facilitated the GAPP exchange program and immersion tours in Germany, to bring her German learners real-world experiences. Linda has long exemplified a level of commitment to WAFLT, not only as a regular member, but also as a dedicated member of the WAFLT Board. She has given much of her time to serve on the WAFLT Board to provide professional
development for other educators. Her most recent role as Co-Chair of the WAFLT Fall Conference demonstrates only a small part of how she gives back to our profession. A leader in World Language education, Linda has been a mentor to new teachers in her district and across the state. She has strived to promote world languages and educate other professionals in best practices. Sharing her expertise, Linda has presented at local, state, regional, and national conferences. “Linda’s sheer endless energy and dedication to promoting foreign language education continues to have a wide-ranging and long-lasting positive impact on World Language education…,” stated a colleague. Linda not only serves world language educators in Wisconsin. Additionally, Linda has been named Co-chair for the 2019 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, when she will once again use her diligence to create and organize valuable professional development for other world language educators. Throughout her career in World Languages thus far, Linda has developed lasting relationships with students and colleagues, making life-long connections with people from all around the world. In addition, she has provided many World Language colleagues with opportunities to grow professionally. WAFLT is more than proud to recognize Linda Havas as the 2016 Distinguished Language Educator of the Year!
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2016 Anthony J. Gradisnik Award Each year since 1998, WAFLT has had the honor of presenting the Anthony J. Gradisnik Award, which commemorates Mr. Gradisnik’s exceptional enthusiasm and advocacy for language education. Mr. Gradisnik, who began his career as a Spanish Teacher after World War II, was a foreign language curriculum specialist for Milwaukee Public Schools from 1959 to 1979. This award is presented to an individual or group – especially from outside the world language teaching profession – in such areas as international education, early language learning, and creative initiatives in language education. WAFLT is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Anthony J. Gradisnik Award, United States Senator Tammy Baldwin, for her contributions and service to the study of world languages, both in Wisconsin, but also across the nation. Bill Rivers, Executive Director of JNCL-NCLIS, applauds, “Senator Baldwin’s support for, and championing of language education [which] has been absolutely essential to protecting and promoting world languages, native languages, and dual language immersion in the Congress. She has sponsored and supported numerous measures to enhance world languages, to sustain funding for native language instruction, and to support Dual Language Immersion. Moreover, she is one of four Senators who signed a letter in 2014 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, requesting that the Academy undertake a major study of the impact of language on the national interest. This led to the establishment of the Commission on Language Learning, the first national effort to examine languages since the 1978 President’s Commission on Languages and International Studies.” In their request, the members of Congress asked the American Academy
Statement from Senator Tammy Baldwin
On behalf of US Senator Tammy Baldwin, Jennifer Garner, NE Regional Representative, accepts the 2016 Anthony J. Gradisnik Award.
to undertake the new study to examine the following questions: “What actions should the nation take to ensure excellence in all languages as well as international education and research, including how we may more effectively use current resources to advance language attainment?” and “How does language learning influence economic growth, cultural diplomacy, the productivity of future generations, and the fulfillment of all Americans?”1 In her own words, Senator Baldwin advocates for world language education, “I strongly support foreign language education programs. We have much to gain by our own openness to other cultures and the sharing of knowledge and expertise through foreign languages. This type of interaction will do much to bring about greater understanding and, as a result, a more peaceful world.” We thank Senator Baldwin for her vision and commitment in supporting world language education across the country. WAFLT is pleased to present this honor, reflecting the values that Mr. Gradisnik held so dear. 1
Source Language Magazine, July 31, 2015
I’m deeply honored to receive the Anthony J. Gradisnik Award from WAFLT, and I would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Keely Lake for the nomination. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, I strongly believe that every child should have the opportunity to a high-quality education that they need to succeed. That is why I’ve been a vocal supporter for foreign language education and language immersion programs. I regularly see first-hand how important it is that we prioritize the teaching of world languages and cultures. In Wisconsin, and across the country, language education helps promote understanding, collaboration, and positive engagement to address our global opportunities and challenges. This education can bring greater understanding and, as a result, a more peaceful world. Thank you for undertaking this important work and for the contributions you make toward a better tomorrow for us all.
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2016 Frank M. Grittner Award The Frank M. Grittner Award is presented to a new member of our profession who has shown excellence in teaching and has provided leadership in service to school, community, and professional organizations. The award honors Frank Grittner, a tireless promoter of high standards for language teacher preparation in our schools as the Wisconsin State Foreign Language supervisor from 1961 to 1991.
Her excitement to teach language is apparent and students are empowered to continue their path to language proficiency. “My lessons include pictures and stories from real life settings, whether from my own time abroad or others’ experiences. I set high expectations for all of my students; my goal is for each of them to successfully and meaningfully communicate using the target language.” Many of Heidi’s students have submitted letters on her behalf. Heidi’s students, administrators, and colleagues have praised her for her professionalism and dedication to memorable and quality classroom experiences. As a new teacher in our profession, Heidi has already set herself apart as a highly committed and innovative educator. For this, Frank M. Grittner would certainly have been proud to see his award go to Heidi Kolodzieg.
2016 Recognition of Merit Awards Heidi Kolodziej receives the 2016 Frank M. Grittner Award.
This year, WAFLT is proud to award the Frank M. Grittner Award to Heidi Kolodziej, a German teacher at the D.C. Everest School District in Wausau, Wisconsin. True to the Grittner spirit, Heidi is an example of exceptional new talent in Wisconsin language education. Heidi stands out as an educator who brings real-world examples and experiences into her classroom. She has been described as ‘vibrant’ and ‘compassionate’ by colleagues, administrators, and students. One of Heidi’s past professors relayed, “Heidi fell in love a long time ago with anything related to Germany and she has always spoken with so much passion about this topic that she is bound to convince others to follow her passion.”
The Recognition of Merit Award may be presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in teaching or who have made significant contributions to the language teaching profession. This year the awards committee is pleased to present this award to the following incredibly worthy recipients.
Susan Loeffler-Bell, Spanish, Muskego High School Susan Loeffler-Bell’s interest in Spanish started as a young student at Fort Buchanan Elementary School in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her father was working as a Civil Engineer building roads through El Yunque, the tropical rain forest on the island. She fell in love with the music, people, weather, food, snorkeling, old colonial architecture, and... the Spanish language. Susan’s goal as an educator “is to encourage the same interest in [her] students that [she] had as an elementary school student running around barefoot, speaking Spanglish with the other kids in the neighborhood.” She explains, “I am much more interested in encouraging a curiosity about different cultures, than expecting a flawless use of the imperfect subjunctive. I want my students to understand that language is a reflection of culture, so that by learning a second language, we can better understand the speakers of that language.” Susan strives to give her students the experiences to ensure their connection to the Spanish language. In Muskego, she advises AFS, the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Spanish Club, and the Global Education Achievement Certificate
Recognition of Merit Awards were presented to (left to right) Susan Loeffler-Bell, Remya Sarma-Traynor, Atsuko Suga Borgmann, Jolene Wochenske, and Brian Wopat at the Awards Ceremony on Friday at the WAFLT Fall Conference. WAFLT President Josh LeGreve is pictured at the right.
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Program. Susan inspires us all, “In this global network of socio-economic and geopolitical entities in the 21st century world in which we live, I want my students to be able to embrace all the possibilities available to them, and I think that begins with the study of other cultures and languages.” Susan also assists other language educators across the state. Recently, Susan has joined the WAFLT Board to serve colleagues statewide as Co-chair of the Fall Conference planning committee for 2017-18. Congratulations, Susan! Remya Sarma-Traynor, Chinese, University of WI-Stevens Point Remya Sarma-Traynor is a UW-Stevens Point Chinese Lecturer. Over the years she has grown a college level Chinese program on multiple UW campuses simultaneously, where the Chinese language previously was not offered. Her classes are taught using a classroombased videoconferencing system which she has integrated seamlessly. In addition to the videoconferencing technology, Remya regularly integrates a blended approach that includes online video with Kaltura, wikis, Google apps, and much more. Remya’s dedication to her students and love for sharing Chinese language and culture is infectious, which has allowed her to grow the Chinese language education throughout the state. Regularly attending professional development opportunities, Remya enthusiastically makes efforts to integrate the new ideas she gathers. She willingly tests new technologies to determine the best course of action for increasing student interaction across sites. Furthermore, she has made numerous presentations to share her learned expertise with other educators, including presentations at WAFLT conferences.
Remya relays, “I believe that my passion and dedication to [my students’] learning is translated to their motivation and passion to learn Chinese and that is what makes my job so worthwhile.” WAFLT is pleased to present this award to Remya. Atsuko Suga Borgmann, Japanese, University of WI-Milwaukee Atsuko Borgmann is a senior lecturer of Japanese at UW-Milwaukee. She also was the president of the Wisconsin Association of Teachers of Japanese from 2013 to 2014. In both of these roles, Atsuko has worked tirelessly to promote the instruction of Japanese both at UW-Milwaukee and throughout the state of Wisconsin. At UW-Milwaukee, Atsuko has put together a tremendous team which spent countless hours to build and maintain a program that offers a major in Japanese. Many students from throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond study at UW-Milwaukee solely because of the program she has helped build. Atsuko has given much to the language education profession, including program development, mentoring, and community outreach. Additionally, she is an Oral Proficiency Interview Tester with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Atsuko wishes for her students “to learn the joys that can be had when communicating with peoples of different cultures, and to understand that fellow students of different backgrounds share their love of learning about life.” She not only inspires her students, but also her language colleagues around the world. WAFLT extends our warmest congratulations to Atsuko.
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Jolene Wochenske, German, Kromrey Middle School and Middleton High School, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Jolene Wochenske has been a German teacher since 1999, delivering instruction at both the high school and middle school levels. During this time she developed curriculum for the concurrent enrollment program (CAPP) as an adjunct professor at UW-Oshkosh. Joleen organized a German- American Partnership Program biannual exchange in Fritzlar, Germany. She also served as a coordinating teacher for student teachers and developed student service learning projects connecting the middle and high school students in German. Jolene presented at ACTFL Conferences on integrating STEM into German courses. For the past five years, she presented at WAFLT Conferences. Many colleagues have attended her workshops and benefitted from her knowledge and leadership. Jolene is one of three high school teachers involved in the Goethe Institut Trainer Netzwerk. This network of German teachers and professionals works with other German teachers around the state to educate them about differentiation, incorporating STEM in the German classroom and providing an effective Advanced Placement Program. Jolene takes learning another language to the next step and offers students the experience one cannot duplicate in the classroom. Through assisting in organizing the exchange program in their high school, Jolene offers her students firsthand knowledge about the culture, country, and people of Germany. This exchange gives students the opportunity to practice what they have learned in a real world setting, further sparking their love of and desire to learn more about the German language. Congratulations, Jolene!
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Brian Wopat, French, Onalaska High School Brian Wopat is a National Board Certified French educator. Over the past 15 years as a world language educator, he has inspired many students across the state to learn French. Brian’s enthusiasm for language-learning is contagious both in his presentations and his classroom. He is a great resource for technology in the language classroom, and he willingly shares his talents. His exemplary teaching style is well-known, and he recently taught a University-level Language Methods Class to pre-service teachers. Brian is a leader in the world language profession. He has presented numerous times at WAFLT, even earning the coveted “Best of Wisconsin” session award. He and his colleague moved on to the Central States Conference in March in Minneapolis, MN, where they were once again chosen as the “Best of,” sending them to ACTFL in San Diego, CA in November of 2015. He wears many hats in the AATFWisconsin organization, serving as secretary, treasurer, and webmaster. His insight and creativity have been invaluable and have made the AATF-Wisconsin Chapter strong and energized. Brian’s rapport with his students has earned him a reputation for outstanding language instruction. He willingly gives of his time outside of school to create meaningful experiences for students, cognizant of the many benefits of learning languages. Brian relays of his teaching, “I strongly believe that by building relationships and instilling a sense of success in learning a language, I [am] able to develop them into lifelong learners of French.” Congratulations to our WAFLT colleague!
2016 Certificate of Professional Service Awards The WAFLT Professional Service Award may be presented annually to recent retirees who have served both the profession and their students in providing quality world language education. This year, WAFLT recognizes two dedicated language teachers with this award. Kyle Gorden – German, retired from the Elkhorn Area School District Kyle Gorden is a state-renown educator who has taught German for 35 years in the Elkhorn School District. Over the years, Kyle has been a role model for others in the field of world language education. Throughout his professional career, Kyle served on many committees and boards for world language educators. Kyle has taken active leadership roles with WAFLT for many years, including president from 1998-2000. He currently serves in the role of Finance Chair & New Visions in Action on the WAFLT Executive Board, and he has been an instrumental part in many successes that the WAFLT organization boasts. Kyle continuously shares his knowledge with others. He shared numerous presentations at professional conferences such as WAFLT, W3T3, CSC, and FLESFEST. He has been a guiding force in the development and implementation of the Wisconsin Language Portfolio and the Wisconsin Language Portfolio K-8. Throughout his career, he has continuously been on the cutting edge of world language methods. He embraces learning from others and he embodies the spirit of a lifelong learner and models this for others. A well-deserved highlight in his career, in 2008, Kyle was the WAFLT Distinguished Language Educator.
During his years as an educator, Kyle helped to build a highly successful German program in Elkhorn. He inspired students to not only learn the German language but also to travel and see the world. During his student exchange trips to Germany and Russia, he changed many lives and left behind a legacy of lifelong relationships and memories on both sides of the Atlantic. Throughout his career as an educator and his active professional roles, Kyle has enriched many lives – both for students and colleagues. Thank you, Kyle, for your outstanding and unforgettable service to world language education and professional development in Wisconsin. Charles James – German, retired from the University of WI-Madison Charles James, retired Professor of German, has dedicated his life to the fields of education and German, and he has touched countless lives of students and professionals alike. As an instructor at the Universität Erlangen-Nuernberg (1973-1979), Assistant Professor of German at the University of IllinoisChicago (1979-1984), and Professor of German at UW-Madison (1984-2016), his wealth of knowledge and experience has enriched his teaching. In addition to instructing German, Charles has assisted over 200 future teachers and provided them with rich field experiences in multiple languages including Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish. Professionally, Charles has done so much more than serve in formal instruction. Charles has supported many current German teachers throughout the states of Wisconsin and Illinois through his work in the WI-AATG and the Goethe Institut. He organized and presented at the annual Immersion Weekend for German teachers, presented at local, state, regional, and national world language conventions, served as an officer in the state AATG,
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and spearheaded the state German contest “German Day” for middle and high school students of German for over a quarter century. Additionally, Charles has inspired teachers to become professional development presenters and to discover their potential as educators to its fullest. To promote the field of German within the state of Wisconsin, he has served on AATG task forces and as President of the AATG Chapter Presidents’ Assembly and Treasurer and President of the WI-AATG. Charles is a published author. He was awarded WAFLT’s Distinguished Language Educator Award in 2004 and the Distinguished German Educator Award (Post-Secondary) by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), as well as the Distinguished German Educator Award by the Wisconsin Chapter of AATG in 2015. This only serves as a short description of an amazing career that has inspired so many. Thank you, Charles, for your tireless efforts over your career to promote language learning and education! You are inspirational. Terry Neumann-Hayes, Spanish, retired from the Arrowhead School District Terry Neumann-Hayes has been an outstanding educator and inspirational colleague over the past 41 years. Terry exudes passion for Spanish, education, and leadership. Throughout the years, her enthusiasm has never waned, and she has never stopped trying to be a better teacher. Terry’s loyalty to the profession and to her students has been clearly displayed in her engagement in world language activities and committees. Terry was advisor to the Arrowhead Chapter of the Spanish Honor Society and the Spanish Club. She has a reputation of always being available to any teacher needing her help and has mentored an entire generation of new teachers.
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WAFLT President Josh LeGreve awards Certificates of Professional Service to Kyle Gorden, Charles James, and Terry Neumann-Hayes.
Terry was not only a leader in the Arrowhead World Language Department, but has also made widespread contributions to language education as a whole. She aided in the production of “World Language Instruction: Get in the Mode!” videos for the Wisconsin DPI, providing professional development for many language professionals. According to colleagues, “Terry teaches with unparalleled passion. She works tirelessly, remaining constantly positive and [has been] a great role model for students and teachers alike.” Teachers and students have noted Terry’s genuine humility, as well as the incredible, lifelong impact that she has had on so many lives. Congratulations, Terry, on an amazing career and thank you for your contributions to the world language profession.
2016 Future Language Teacher Awards The WAFLT Future Language Teacher Award may be conferred annually on students in teacher-training programs who have shown exceptional promise and potential to become outstanding world language educators. This year, three individuals are honored with the award.
Mitchell Kolodziej – German, UW-Stevens Point After graduating from UW-Stevens Point, Mitchell Kolodziej worked last year as a long-term German substitute at DC Everest Junior High. Currently, he is a proud stay-at-home dad and he substitutes in the DC Everest School District. One of Mitchell’s goals as a world language educator is to help students “recognize the variety of ways in which to view the world.” Lydia Pomeroy – French, Ripon College Lydia Pomeroy is currently completing her last semester of undergraduate studies at Ripon College and will be student teaching in the spring of 2017. She is seeking certification for levels K-6, majoring in French and Educational Studies. Kristina Sterken – French, UW-Stevens Point Kristina Sterken graduated from UW-Stevens Point. She is currently teaching French at Mounds View High School in St Paul, MN. Kristina continues to work on her ESL certification. Kristina views the world as an opportunity and she is “passionate about drawing (her) students into other cultures by teaching them a world language.”
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Madeson Walgenbach -- Spanish, Ripon College Madeson Walgenbach graduated from Ripon College with degrees in Educational Studies Middle Childhood/ Early Adolescence and Spanish. Admired as a language student in Ripon, she is now equally loved by her students at Waupun Junior and Senior High Schools, where she shows her students that “language is an empowering and connecting agent.
2016 Donna Clementi Blue Ribbon School Award for Excellence in World Language Programs While our other WAFLT awards typically honor individuals who are outstanding in our field, we know that it is often a team of educators and many others who drive an exceptional World Language program. It is often that we see collaboration amongst a group that ensures that our classes, curriculum, and programs are the best they can be. The Donna Clementi Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in World Language Programs may be awarded to honor schools and/or programs that are exemplary role models. This award is bestowed in honor of Dr. Donna Clementi, who continues to make significant contributions to the teaching and research of world language learning. This award recognizes her sharing of talent, knowledge, and message so that students, teachers, and quality world language programs continue to develop and expand. WAFLT is pleased to present the 2016 award to the Greendale Schools World Language Department.
WAFLT 2016 Future Teacher Awards were presented to Mitchell Kolodziej, Madeson Walgenbach, and Kristina Sterken. Lydia Pomeroy was not able to attend.
In Greendale, their mission states that “[t]he Greendale School District, in partnership with students, families, and the community, is committed to developing leadership, creativity, and educational excellence. By creating multiple opportunities for learning, each student’s unique abilities are developed to achieve success and contribute positively to our global society.” This mission statement is espoused by the district’s World Language program, that boasts strong programs in French, German, and Spanish.
Greendale Schools offers a compreensive language experience for all students. At the cornerstone of this model are thematic units designed with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in mind. The world language educators use thematic planning aligned to the ACTFL standards and Can Do statements that also correspond to the Common Core Standards. As a team, these educators have worked on different levels of integrated performance assessments and thematic planning step by step, have set the standard for 90+% target language use at all levels and have established proficiency targets for each level of instruction.
Greendale World Language Department members accept the Donna Clementi Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award at the Saturday Award Luncheon. The team is pictured with Donna Clementi and Helena Curtain.
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WAFLT’s 2017 Teacher of the Year (TOY) Nominee Andrea Behn, French, Parker High School, Janesville This year’s WAFLT Teacher of the Year (TOY) nominee is Andrea Behn, French Teacher at Parker High School in Janesville, WI. Andrea is a National Board-Certified educator, as well as a 2014 U.S. Presidential Distinguished Teacher.
Andrea Behn, presented with the 2017 WAFLT nomination for ACTFL Teacher of the Year.
Andrea earned her degree in Education, French and English at UW-Eau Claire. She later also earned a Master's Degree in Modern Language at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. She has lived, worked, and traveled in France and to many francophone countries, honing her French language skills and making lifelong connections. Andrea has shared her passion for the French language and cultures. She provides experiences here in Wisconsin for her students but also out of the country. At Parker High School, Andrea is the adviser for both the French Club and la Société Honoraire de Français. Andrea has been a guiding force in the world language education profession. She is currently serving French educators as the President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French. In this role, Andrea delivers professional development and supports world language advocacy in Wisconsin and across the nation.
Additionally, Andrea recently represented WAFLT at the ACTFL Leadership Initiative for Language Learning (LILL) and at the Emerging Leaders meeting. Following this experience, she has created a blog to collaborate with other educators on the six Core Practices for World Language Instruction. Andrea is an educational leader who is committed to her own professional growth and to that of others. Andrea represented Wisconsin in Chicago in March, 2017 at the Central States Conference (CSCTFL). WAFLT is beyond proud to have nominated Andrea as the 2017 ACTFL TOY candidate.
As we celebrate the 2016 Awards honorees, please consider nominating a colleague, student, or friend of language education for a WAFLT award. More information can be found at waflt.org.
Other Awards Presented 2016 Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarships
2016 CSC Best of Wisconsin Presentation
Honoree
Language
University
Heaven Elliot Jill Englebert Hannah Evers Emma Oleson Ellie Wirth
German Spanish French Spanish German
UW-La Crosse UW-La Crosse Onalaska High School UW-Stevens Point UW-Stevens Point
Michele Nuttelman, Brianna Hemauer, Rachel Arendt and Katherine Wolner, Chippewa Falls World Language Department
2016 National Board Certified/Recertified Teachers Honoree
Language
School
Andrea Behn Michele Steger
French Spanish
Parker High School, Janesville J.I Case High School, Racine
Paula Meyer
Spanish
WAFLT Central States Extension Workshop Grant Sarah Farkas | Katelynn Jensen Student Travel Scholarship Lily Lor | Maria Graziano WAFLT Fall Special Projects Grant Completion Stacey Vigil WAFLT Spring Special Projects Grant Sarah Farkas | Andrea Behn
Professional Development Appleton North High School
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WAFLT Scholarship for Professional Development Katelynn Jensen
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Honors in Language Study Awards The Honors in Language Study Award is conferred on students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in and commitment to their school’s language programs. High school and university students must be enrolled in the highest level of study of their program. Student
Nominator
School
Language
Madeline B. Eva A. Alanna B. Patrick D. Julia E. Sophia F. Megan G. Zachary H. Katelynn L. Kevin L. Heather L. Robert M. Diego M. Anna M. Kolton O. Michaela S. Jialin S. Eleanor V. Sarah Z.
Ellen Onsrud Stephanie Krenz Ellen Onsrud Carley Goodkind Deanah Downey Theresa Kruschke Alfonso Cindy Kinnear Maria Wallis Anita Alkhas Magara Maeda Jolene Wochenske Mark Wagner Qiuhong Zhang Michelle Kister Paula Johnson-Fox SuAnn Schroeder Keely Lake Stacey Vigil Joshua LeGreve
Lake Mills High School Stoughton High School Lake Mills High School Greenfield High School Southern Door High School Greendale High School Oconomowoc High School Nicolet High School UW-Milwaukee UW-River Falls Middleton High School Nicolet High School Notre Dame de la Baie Academy Monroe High School Muskego High School Marshfield High School Wayland Academy Horace Mann High School Green Lake High School
French German French German Spanish Spanish French Spanish French Japanese German German Chinese Spanish French French Latin Spanish Spanish
Thomas Sauer delivers his keynote address, It’s Not What the Teacher Knows, But What the Teacher Does.
WAFLT President-Elect, SuAnn Schroeder, Thomas Sauer, WAFLT President, Josh LeGreve, and WAFLT Past-President, Keely Lake.
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Excellence in Language Study Awards The Excellence in Language Study Award is conferred on students who have demonstrated great achievement and progress in language study and who exhibit great potential for further achievement in the language. Students of any level may be nominated into order to give recognition to their success and potential. Name
Nominator
School
Language
Alyson A. Dominic C. Carly C. Audrey K. Estella K. Michael K. Ju-Hsuan L. Eben L. Brooke M. Sydney M. Grace M. Luvia M. Emma M. Greta N. Victoria O. Adam O. Duy P. Elana S. Mark W. Taylor W. Mary Z.
Jolene Wochenske Sarah Beste Cindy Kinnear Stephanie Krenz Maria Wallis Carley Goodkind Magara Maeda SuAnn Schroeder Stacey Vigil Ellen Onsrud Erin Anderson Susan Hinkley Joshua LeGreve Morgan Achterberg Nicole Thompson Terry O’Dell Keely Lake Sueyon Seo Paula Johnson-Fox Jolene Wochenske Qiuhong Zhang
Kromrey Middle School, Middleton Greendale Middle School Oconomowoc High School Stoughton High School Nicolet High School Greenfield High School UW-River Falls Marshfield Middle School Horace Mann High School Lake Mills High School River Bluff Middle School Woodlands School, Milwaukee Green Lake Elementary School River Bluff Middle School New Berlin West Middle & High Schools Lincoln High School, Manitowoc Wayland Academy UW-Milwaukee Muskego High School Middleton High School Notre Dame de la Baie Academy
German French French German Spanish German Japanese French Spanish French Spanish French Spanish German, English Spanish Japanese Latin Japanese French German Chinese
WAFLT Fall Conference Co-Chairs, 2013-2016, Cathy Stresing and Linda Havas
2016 WAFLT Fall Conference Exhibit Hall
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WAFLT Distinguished Language Educator Speech Delivered by Linda Havas at the 2016 WAFLT Fall Conference 'm honored to have been named WAFLT’s Distinguished Language Educator for 2016. The list of previous recipients of this award reads like a “Who’s Who of Language Teaching in Wisconsin,” if such a publication existed, and I’m quite humbled to be named in the company of those individuals. Over the next few paragraphs, I’d like to share with each of you a “road map” of sorts. I hope that you’ll find this useful whether you’re brand new to the profession or a bit more seasoned – aged like a fine wine, if you will.
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First and foremost: in order to be successful at what we do, we all have to approach our work with complete passion. We all have it – for the languages we teach, for our students, for learning in general. It’s amazing to me how many people regard their jobs as “work” – as a grind. I can honestly say that it has been a very rare day that my work as a language educator has ever felt like a job. I’ve always thought that educators just generally seem to be satisfied in their chosen profession. And the research supports that. Two different surveys placed education in the top ten most satisfying careers. (Interestingly enough, firefighters, clergy and pediatricians are ahead of us … but then, if you think about it, that same skill set pretty much encompasses our jobs every day anyway!) Are there day-to-day drudgeries? Of course; we can’t avoid those. And let’s not even talk about what it’s like to teach in March. But for every one of those trials, there are the moments that we hold on to: those times in our classes when students create words and sentences that may or may not be correct but are still well intended and
often hilarious and clever, when they groan as you stop a film at a critical juncture, or when they tell you they went onto the internet to further research on a topic you discussed in class, just because they were curious to learn more. Every year is a do-over, a new beginning, and a chance to make a good thing even better. The bottom line is that for all the craziness, we have to love what we do, and we also have to recognize that as we seek and discover our passions, they need not be limited to just one thing. Throughout most of middle school and high school, I’d planned to pursue journalism – that is, until my high school German teachers took me to Germany. Just like that, I was hooked, and just like that my life was transformed. I’m deeply indebted to Laurie Friedrich for having taken me there and thus helping me to discover what I was really meant to do. (I’m also grateful that she brought me back!) I also need to thank my parents for both instilling a travel bug in me and also for writing the checks to make it all possible! Another thing I’ve discovered over the years is that it’s critical for us to find and to feed our curiosity, and most of all, to keep learning. We have to continue to challenge ourselves to work beyond our limits and our comfort zones. A schedule conflict during my senior year of high school left me with three options: AP calculus, auto shop, and Spanish 1. Knowing that my math skills weren’t stellar and my mechanical intuition was abysmal, through sheer process of elimination I ended up in Spanish 1.
Linda Havas delivers her acceptance speech during the Awards Ceremony.
Over the next 180 days I colored on my homework, rolled my eyes at the behavior of the immature freshmen in my class and along the way discovered how amazing it would be to be trilingual. Because of Joan Blaha’s enthusiastic teaching and willingness to take me on as her student teacher five years later, I picked up a minor in Spanish which both enhanced my opportunities and broadened my horizons. Working with WAFLT has also fed that curiosity, and I hope it has done the same for you. We are most passionate about what we do in our classrooms, and that’s as it should be. But it’s only by stretching our wings and working within professional organizations that we can mobilize together to make things happen. I have the extreme good fortune to work in a district that not only values collaboration but also creates myriad opportunities for that to happen. I so appreciate my colleagues in Greendale for their willingness to share with, support, and challenge each other. It’s never been about
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competition but instead about creating optimal experiences for our students. I’m especially grateful to my principal, Steve Lodes, for his continued advocacy and support of language education and for his commitment to the continued professional growth and development of his staff. No one lives or teaches in a bubble, nor should we. Finding the time to collaborate is always a challenge, but it’s imperative that we prioritize ways to connect with our colleagues both in and out of our classrooms and our content areas. We have to find peace in change. It’s coming either way, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it, so why not get in front of it and act as a change agent? Both within and outside of our content areas, collaboration enhances our practice immeasurably. All you need to do is look at the 2016 WAFLT conference program – it’s like a who’s who of dynamic duos presenting together. You’d think that a German teacher and a teacher of students with learning disabilities wouldn’t have had much to discuss, but Angie Kolnik and I spent many late nights working at school together during our first years of teaching, and she enlightened me to the fact that all students truly can learn. Sadly, cancer robbed this world of many more years of Angie’s expertise, but every time I work with a struggling student, I remember the lessons Angie taught me. My other mentors over the years have included reading teachers, a math teacher, and several administrators. At first glance, these seem like very odd places for a German teacher to perfect her craft. Of all the improbable collaborations in my career, though, one stands out head and shoulders above the rest. Germany and France border on each other and often enjoy a friendly rivalry à la
Wisconsin and Illinois. Yet from the day I first wandered into Cathy Stresing’s French classroom 13 years ago, it’s never been about rivalry. Instead, it’s been about one of us having a shred of a good idea and working together to turn it into a great one. Because of this master teacher and gifted Francophone, my work has been transformed. So much of what I do well both within and outside of the classroom is because of her imagination, her vision, her commitment to excellence, and her unending patience! My work has improved immeasurably because of her friendship and I am certain that I would not have received this honor without her in my corner. So, is that all there is to it? Find your passion, your curiosity, and your best collaborator and you’re good? Far from it, because after all of that we need to find our voices and celebrate all that is wonderful about what we’re doing. As teachers, we don’t do that nearly enough. The work we’re all doing in our classrooms doesn’t come with trumpets or fanfare, but we all know that magic is happening in the form of the small, steady victories we each witness every single day. It’s an incredibly hard job, but also immensely rewarding. Keep opening your minds and your hearts and keep encouraging your students to do the same. The effects will reach far beyond the walls of your classroom. After all, as Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said, “With guns you can kill terrorists; with education you can kill terrorism.” One of the first books about education I ever read (and still one of my favorites) is Bel Kaufman’s 1964 novel Up The Down Staircase. At one point in the book, the young teacher Sylvia Barrett laments to her mentor that as a
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new teacher, she gets what she believes are the worst teaching assignments with the most challenging students. Sylvia wishes that she could teach the cream of the crop, and her mentor responds: “Never mind the cream; it will always rise to the top. It’s the skim milk that needs good teachers.” This leads me to my final and perhaps most important point: find that skim milk. We have one of the most amazing jobs in the world and also one of the most awesome responsibilities, impacting the future every day without even knowing when or how those efforts will bear fruit. Of course I want my students to succeed and I’ll do everything I can to get them there. Ultimately, though, it’s not about how many of my students got 4s or 5s on the AP test, but instead how their minds, their world view, and their hearts have been forever changed by studying a language. It was never about whether Katie would ever learn to consistently conjugate verbs properly (she didn’t, by the way) but the tears in her eyes as she said goodbye to the German exchange student who spent two weeks in her home a few years ago. Or the way Patrick has been able to feed his passion for film making by participating in a film seminar with other German students from around the world. To me, our greatest victories come when we can see our students chasing their dreams. And if they happen to be doing so in places that we have yet to visit, taking in experiences that we never would have dreamt of for ourselves, and if we somehow had a small hand in placing them there, so much the better. That to me is the greatest reward. I’m über-energized for the next half of my career. I hope that you all have found your road as rewarding as I have, and I thank you again for the honor of being named WAFLT’s Distinguished Language Educator.
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WAFLT Annual Meeting Minutes Saturday, November 5, 2016 Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI I. Greetings – Joshua LeGreve II. Fall Conference Committee – Linda Havas/Cathy Stresing C As of Friday, November 4 we had 669 pre-registered attendees with several more onsite registrations not yet included in that tally. Over 80 people attended the pre-conference workshop with Thomas Sauer. About 450 people attended the Friday morning workshops. C We are grateful to all of the board members, volunteers, and presenters who have helped make this conference possible and successful. A survey regarding the conference will be coming by email and we ask that all attendees complete it so that our conference can continue to best serve our membership and be a model for other state associations. C We have been honored to serve WAFLT as co-chairs for the past four years and know that the conference is in great hands with the incoming co-chairs, Paula Johnson-Fox and Susan Loeffler-Bell. Proposals for the 2017 conference will be accepted beginning in December. We encourage all members to consider sharing their expertise and enthusiasm with their colleagues. Local Arrangements – Ashley Reinke/Sarah Fortman General overview: 34 exhibitors; $1525 + EF; successful wine & cheese. III. Secretary Report – Carley Goodkind MOTION: Keely Lake moved and Cathy Stresing seconded to dispense reading of minutes and accept as written. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. New Visions in Action – Kyle Gorden No report. V. President’s Report – Josh LeGreve C Josh thanked everyone for all their dedication to WAFLT. Keely Lake thanked everyone for their work. New WAFLT President-Elect introduced: Linda Havas. VI. Treasurer Report – Kellie Michels C Balance through October 31, 2016 is $231,794.65. The WAFLT General Endowment balance is: $81,668.15 MOTION: Kyle Gorden moved to approve the Treasurer's Report. The motion passed unanimously. VII. DPI World Language Consultant’s Report – Gerhard Fischer C The state of languages in Wisconsin is good. C The German state of Hessen is interested in the state of Wisconsin. C A representative from Aix Marseille was impressed. C Global Education Achievement Certificate (GEAC): Students need at least 4 years of the same world language at the high school level to fulfill one of the requirements of the certificate. C Seal of Biliteracy: The goal is to increase the number of kids who learn another language. We need students who are multilingual and cultural. C Global Youth Summit is set for March 4, 2017 at UW-Madison.
VIII. Professional Development Committee – Anita Alkhas C The WAFLT Share Fair will be held on April 29, 2017. You are invited to come. Send an email to sign up. There will be announcements in the eVoice. C Wisconsin Network for Early Language Learning: Information about FLESFEST and Curriculum Writing Days can be found at the following website wi-nell.org C FLESFEST is set for February 25, 2017 at Alverno College. C Curriculum Writing Days will be January 21, 2017 and June 20-22, 2017 at Greendale High School. C A free FLESFEST registration will be awarded to one lucky winner today. Mentoring – Karen Fowdy C We will take another look at how this is structured, but so far we have not seen much interest. C Contact Karen Fowdy if you would like to be connected to a mentor. Summer Institute/MOPI – Lisa Hendrickson Summer Institute Report 2016 Day 1: Developing Proficiency: A Guide to Improving Learners' Performance – Paul Sandrock, ACTFL Director of Education Day 2: Preparing Our Students for Success: Designing and Implementing Standards-based Thematic Instruction Karen Luond Fowdy and Lisa Hendrickson, Independent Consultants Day 3: Journey to a Journey: Teaching ... one step at a time – Deana Zorko, 2015 Central States Teacher of the Year / Unconference and work time
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The WAFLT Summer Institute 2016 was a success with the following attendance: 2 day workshop - 9 people 3 day workshop - 70 people Team discounts - 12 teams - total of 36 people 9 people registered for credit from UW-La Crosse. Budget $2385.86 $1500.00 $2074.74
SI Expenses MOPI Expenses Net
Evaluations were positive. Helena Curtain (The Power of Story and Story Form for Enhancing a Deep and Rich Curriculum) had to cancel for health reasons. Josh LeGreve helped to substitute her workshop with an “Unconference” in which participants had a chance to submit topics for discussion and work time in the end. This went over well. Participants want time for processing and collaboration at the end. The Red Gym was an acceptable site. Acoustics were somewhat challenging. On the last day, they were laying carpet above our room for the first hour of Deana Zorko’s presentation. They did give us gratis AV for that day to compensate for the interruption. Future Plans C I will publish a refund policy for cancellations at the Summer Institute website. C I have reserved the Pyle Center for next year. C To help to lower the cost, we will not offer lunch at the Pyle Center. The Pyle Center is so well located that it’s easy to find places to eat. We can offer one day for people to meet with same language teachers for lunch. Summer Institute - July 31-August 2, 2017 | MOPI - August 3-4, 2017
Summer Institute Program We are working on plans for next year’s program. Some topics are: C The 6 ACTFL Core Initiatives from the LILL training - Andrea Behn and colleagues [teacherbehn.weebly.com/ core-practices.html] C Leadership training C Proficiency - SI evaluations indicated they want more in-depth work with teaching towards proficiency. Next year’s CSCTFL Extension Workshop [csctfl.org/committees/professional-de velopment/cwew.html] looks like it might offer help with this topic. Perhaps our WAFLT Extension Workshop Grant recipients could share some of this topic. MOPI Training The ACTFL MOPI workshop was held at the Pyle Center (Aug. 2-3, 2016). The Summer Institute took place at the Red Gym (Aug. 2-4, 2016). ACTFL sponsored the workshop. WAFLT provided the site. As hosts, we paid for the Pyle Center AV expenses and some of the refreshment breaks ($1500.00). 36 people including the 3 presenters attended the 3 workshops - Spanish / French / English-Mixed Language. SuAnn Schroeder helped to host and coordinate the event at the Pyle Center. Jan Hagedorn worked with ACTFL to find the volunteers to be interviewed during the workshops. MOPI Questions We will offer MOPI training again. We will offer it in August after the Summer Institute. We will ask ACTFL to sponsor it again to feel that we have control over the costs. Share Fair – Anita Alkhas (see notes from above)
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IX. Grants & Endowment Committee – Stephanie Krenz C Go to waflt.org/member-resources to find Awards, Grants and Scholarship information. C $500 WAFLT Special Projects grant deadline is November 15th. There is another in the spring on April 15th. C CSC Extension Workshop Grant deadline is December 1st. C The WAFLT Student Travel Scholarship deadline is December 1st. C The WAFLT Scholarship for Professional Development deadline is April 15th. C Take a look at the WAFLT website for the opportunities. WAFLT supports teachers in Wisconsin. X. Public Relations Committee – Karen Fowdy/Keely Lake Articles in eVoice: Please send ideas and articles on advocacy. Discover Languages – Justin Gerlach The Student Postcard and Video Contests were once again successful showcases of students’ interpretations of language proficiency - evidence of our classroom conversations of what we want our students to be able to do with their language skills. The theme this year was: Quest Toward Language Proficiency! Regarding postcards - we received high school and elementary entries this year. Based on the entries, two high school winners were selected and two elementary school winners were selected. Eight additional postcards were selected from the entries to represent the 12 cards that make up the postcard packs. C HS winners - Abigail from Plymouth HS & Ngoc from Wayland Academy
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C ES winners - Moritz from Green Lake Elementary & Lucy from Woods School C Representing the 8 additional cards: Annika & Zoey from Southern Door HS, Payton & Haley from Wausau West HS, Katy and Willow from Woods School, and Will from Green Lake Elementary. C The Student Video contest received one submission from Wayland Academy in which the students did submit a quality presentation. Recognition goes to: Paul, Sarah, Chi, Valentina, and Tianyi from Wayland Academy. The 2017 contests will open in January. Thank you! Go to discover languages page for more information waflt.org/public-relations/discover-lang uages/ Come stop by advocacy table in the exhibit hall. We have posters to give you about “The World in Wisconsin. Wisconsin in the World” and the languages taught in Wisconsin. Other freebees are at the table as well. Public Relations – Karen Fowdy Year in review: C Bi-monthly column in eVoice Advocacy Corner about advocating and public relations at the state and local level. C Public Relations and Advocacy article for The Voice of WAFLT. C WAFLT booth in the exhibit area of the WASB and WSCA conferences. C Design and production of banner for exhibit and posters to be given to teachers at WAFLT Fall Conference and throughout the year (“The World in Wisconsin and Wisconsin in the World”). C Design and production of “bookmarks” that address “Why learn
another language” and information and action resources. C Incorporation and distribution of materials from the DPI about the GEAC and Seal of Biliteracy (shared at WAFLT, WASB, WSCA). C Advocacy/PR session at WAFLT fall conference. C Press releases sent to local media for all WAFLT award winners. XI. Communications & Publications Committee –Lauren Rosen The Voice – Katy Dueppen C Deadline for articles for the Spring edition is January 1, 2017. C The Voice of WAFLT is seeking articles related to creating and cultivating a proficiency-based model in Wisconsin classrooms. Topics may include (but are not limited to): – How to begin designing proficiency-based instructional units. – Three changes a teacher/ department should begin doing now to move towards a proficiency-based model. – How/Where to find authentic resources and develop activities and/or assessments efficiently. – A “Top 10” list of items to consider when developing proficiency-based unit plans. C WAFLT presenters: please consider writing a follow-up article for your awesome presentation this fall! C Awards and Grant recipients: please submit an article for the Spring 2017 or Fall 2017 edition of The Voice. eVoice C If you don’t already receive the eVoice, subscribe. It is a monthly publication that pulls news from around the world that is of interest to language educators. There is an alternating column where one month is an advocacy article and the following you will see a Hi Tech/Low Tech
article. If you are interested in being a guest writer for that, email 21stcentury@waflt.org 21st Century Committee C Follow us on Facebook and Twitter C Will be launching an Instagram account for teachers and students to contribute. Look for upcoming announcements with hashtag information and instructions. Advertising – Josh LeGreve $1550 income (down from past years trend in other states as well) If you have good relations with companies that might want to advertise with WAFLT, you can have them email or you can email: advertising@waflt.org with that information Website – Lauren Rosen C If you have handouts or websites from your sessions please submit those to webmaster@waflt.org C You are in charge of your own member information. If you have changes in name, school, addresses, etc. please login and update your own information. The name badge information and all emails are based on what you enter. C App for conference is on the table as possibility. Please fill out the survey about this. XII. Awards – SuAnn Schroeder C Last night the following award recipients were recognized: – Distinguished Educator Award: Linda Havas – Anthony J. Gradisnik Award: Senator Tammy Baldwin – Frank M. Grittner New Teacher Award: Heidi Kolodziej – WAFLT Teacher of the Year Nominee: Andrea Behn
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C Today the award recipients for the following awards will be recognized at the awards luncheon: – Future Language Teacher Award – Recognition of Merit – Certificate of Professional Service – The Donna Clementi Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence in World Language Programs C The awards were divided between Friday and Saturday to shorten the evening Friday and allow time conference attendees to have dinner, wine and cheese. C A news release was sent this year in addition to letters to district administration. C Please nominate your colleagues and acknowledge them for their hard work. C SuAnn Schroeder presented Josh LeGreve with an award and lovely letter for his service as WAFLT President.
XIII. Announcements /other business, etc. A. FLESFEST - February 25, 2017 FLESFEST is an annual one-day conference for those interested in promoting standards-based, Early Start – Long Sequence world language learning and articulation between FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School), middle school, secondary, and post-secondary language programs. Started in 1989 as an extension of FLES networking sessions held at WAFLT Fall Conferences in Appleton, WI, FLESFEST provides an opportunity for world language teachers of all levels and programs to share best practices, ideas and challenges, to learn from each other, and to offer support for lifelong learning of world languages. FLESFEST is held annually in late February.
WAFLT selfies! Kyle Gorden and Charles James. As a token of appreciation, new WAFLT President, SuAnn Schroeder, presents gifts to outgoing WAFLT President Josh LeGreve at the December board meeting.
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B. Curriculum Writing Days - January 21st, 2017 (Free) - Get support with writing thematic units from beginning to end with the help from Helena Curtain. C. Curriculum Writing Days - June 20-22nd, 2017 (Free) Get support with writing thematic units from beginning to end with the help from Helena Curtain! D. Visit wi-nell.org to register. XIV. Adjournment MOTION: Lisa Hendrickson moved and Keely Lake seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and there was much rejoicing. Door prizes were awarded.
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Wisconsin Representative to NNELL Jessica Bradley Girolami Highland View Elementary School 5900 S. 51st Street Greendale, WI 53129 (414) 423-2750, ext. 2108 jessica.bradley1@gmail.com e are changing the world, one child at a time. Dr. Helena Curtain and I recently hosted the 5th Curriculum Writing Day at Greendale High School on January 21, 2017. We had around 35 teachers attend in January, our highest attendance rate yet. I love Curriculum Writing Day(s) because we really are able to get into the nitty gritty of what we teachers need with writing curriculum, and we are able to make those tweaks to units in order to make a thematic unit deeper and richer for our students instead of at a topic level. Our students are at the center of what we do. I always like to put myself in the shoes of my students, and think about what they are experiencing in their language learning and how it is applicable to them. What would my inner child want to learn and do in the language? How would my inner child understand this and learn these target phrases? It’s also important to think about what our students can do already, and what’s the next step for them. Really, it’s important to think about proficiency and proficiency targets.
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Attending the WAFLT Summer Institute MOPI training on proficiency has changed my life as a teacher. My team and I have created and improved thematic units over the last 8 years and after attending the proficiency training, it was really helpful to be able to see where the holes in our curriculum are. We had units that we were trying to aim too high for 4th
Central States East Regional Representative to NNELL Julie Canady canady.julie@gmail.com
grade novices; what we were aiming for was actually at an advanced level of speaking proficiency which is way too high. Currently, we have to revise those units and that’s okay. This is why teachers are always learners, always tweaking, revising, making experiences better for our students and making language learning easier for our students to learn. Those units that we are going to throw out were good for about 20% of 4th grade students. That is not fair to 80% of the students who had a difficult time. At the end of Curriculum Writing Day(s), or really any training I’ve gone to with Helena Curtain, many times, she says, “We are changing the world, one child at a time.” At the last Curriculum Writing Day, this phrase and intention stuck with me. It is absolutely true. Teaching is a profession that enables thinking, inspires hope, creates a thirst for knowledge and learning, and inspires students on whatever path they may go. In our classrooms, we are enabling students to take ownership of the language and speak it as much as possible, little by little K-12. That growth is changing the world. I have to smile because I have been teaching a thematic unit called “I Play in My Community” to 1st and 2nd graders this year. The interpersonal assessment has started to become a favorite of my students. They ask and answer questions in Spanish with a classmate to get to know them better,
“¿Adónde vas?” “-Voy a la escuela.” “¿Por qué?” “–Quiero__(aprender)__.” “Where are you going?” –I’m going to __(the school)__. “ “Why?” –I want to __learn__.” They have a visual slider that both students use on each side of a divider and one student marks what they are going to say, while the other student asks the questions and listens and tries to match what their partner answers on the pictures on their visual slider. The students verify they listened correctly by asking their partner: “¿Correcto?” “-¡Sí es correcto!” I know for high school this wouldn’t be spontaneous enough for an interpersonal assessment, but the 1st and 2nd grade students get the spontaneity of not knowing what their partner is going to say. After 3 lessons (I have 25 minute classes), students are experts at asking both questions and answering with both answers. At the end of class on Day 2 and Day 3, kids tell me, “Señora, I don’t want to leave.” “Señora, I don’t want Spanish to end.” They love talking to each other in Spanish. This is why teaching thematically is powerful. This is why performance assessments, especially interpersonal, should be meaningful to students. They love it, it is deep and rich, and they want to be able to ask and answer those target phrases because they have a reason to learn them. We really are changing the world, one child at a time!
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Curriculum Writing Days June 20- 22, 2017 Curriculum Writing Days is scheduled for three days Tuesday through Thursday, June 20-22, 2017 from 9am to 3pm each day. Curriculum Writing Days offers a workshop model of professional development led by Helena Curtain and Jessica Bradley Girolami. Teachers of all levels, all ages come together to build thematic units from beginning to end with performance assessments that aim to increase proficiency. This workshop model is FREE to any who attend and with student-focused curriculum that enables communication with a theme that is meaningful and deep to students. Sign up at wi-nell.org on the link for Curriculum Writing Days. FLESFEST 2018 – 30th Anniversary! Date TBD – visit wi-nell.org for more information. Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI 8:00am-3pm FLESFEST is a professional, Saturday-only conference that takes place each Spring in collaboration with WAFLT. FLESFEST provides useful strategies to teachers of elementary programs, as well as beginning language teachers of any ages, that teachers can apply immediately after attending the conference. It supports elementary world language teachers from the ground up, and has support from some of the most-knowledgeable educators in world language instruction today. It is one of the most inspiring, motivational, and engaging conferences I’ve ever attended and highly recommend it to any world language teacher, regardless the level the teacher teaches.
We hope to see you network with us here in Wisconsin. You can always visit our Wisconsin NELL website, wi-nell.org, for more information.
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Join today @ www.nnell.org/membership Visit our Wisconsin page @ wi-nell.org
Jessica Bradley Girolami
NNELL Membership Regular Membership: $30 All memberships are for the academic year September-August • Two Issues of Learning Languages. • Three Issues of E-NNELL Notes • Access to Members Only area of website (www.nnell.org) – media, advocacy, resources • Program Building Publications • NNELL Publications • Attendance at annual board meeting at ACTFL conference. • Annual Summer Institute held at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa every July
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The VOICE of WAFLT
Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers President Zona Karoliussen The Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners (920) 448-2135 zfkaroliussen@gbaps.org
Secretary Yinghan Xue Neenah High School & Shattuck Middle School (920) 751-6800 x19230 yxue@neenah.k12.wi.us
Past-President Lacey Melco Kettle Moraine School District (715) 551-9282 lacey27@msn.com
Treasurer Ling Schoeneback Green Bay lingsusa@gmail.com
Nihao! reetings from WACLT and Happy New Year! We hope your spring semester is off to a great start. I am shocked by how quickly this school year has gone by since the WAFLT Fall Conference, where we saw familiar faces and new members who joined us at the business meeting.
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We were proud to see the K-16 Chinese programs around the state continue to flourish and our community of Chinese teachers in Wisconsin has been growing in the year 2016. In the past year, Chinese teachers kept the tradition of supporting each other and building strong and dynamic Chinese language programs and community in our state through the sharing of teaching materials and ideas via a Google group and social media. As we welcomed our new WACLT president Zhuxin (Zona) Karoliussen in the fall. We believe that 2017 promises to be a great and eventful year. The board members sincerely hope everybody had a good start to
the New Year, the year of Rooster, and is having a great spring semester. WAFLT Fall Conference 2016 WACLT had a valuable business meeting at the WAFLT Fall Conference on November 5, 2016. WACLT members discussed the upcoming election for unfilled positions of president and president elect. Members were notified about the election procedure and encouraged members to run for the unfilled positions. As of December 2016, Zhuxin (Zona) Karoliussen is the new WACLT president and Ling Schoeneback is the new WACLT treasurer. The WACLT secretary position remains the same and is currently served by Yinghan Xue. WACLT also reminded members to renew their membership and collected membership fees. In addition, WACLT members discussed the details for the annual Chinese speech contest. WACLT received permission from UWMilwaukee to hold the speech contest there again this year. The date and
location are to be determined. WACLT already has a number of people who have stepped forward and are willing to help with this year’s speech contest. Lastly, WACLT encourages teachers to nominate their students for the Excellence in Chinese Learning Award. It’s a new award that WACLT created to recognize students’ achievements in their schools’ Chinese programs. Chinese Programs Around the State Chinese teachers in Wisconsin are creating as many opportunities for the students as possible to immerse them in Chinese language and culture. In addition to language teaching, they are doing diverse cultural activities to engage students and even the community around of them. In 2016, many programs and schools provided opportunities for student travel to China to experience authentic Chinese culture and language in an immersive environment. Nine students from Kettle Moraine High School traveled to China in June and visited Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin, and
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Hong Kong. Fourteen students from the School District of New Berlin traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an in June. The trips were a great success; students came home with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture and utilized their language skills throughout the trip. Besides traveling to China, many Chinese programs took students on field trips within the state to experience culture and traditions through Chinese arts and history. In October 2016, students from Kettle Moraine High School and Kettle Moraine Middle School attended the China Lights exhibit at the Boerner Botanical gardens in Hales Corners, WI. Neenah Joint School District, Sun Prairie School District, and St. Mary Catholic Schools took students to the Chicago Field Museum in November 2016, for the exhibitions of China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors. A few schools will be taking students to Chinatown in Chicago in spring 2017 for a variety of exciting activities. Students are looking forward to it. We are pleased and proud to see so many accomplishments that students and teachers made in the past year in Chinese programs around the state, including Janesville Craig junior, Franklin, who has been selected as a student ambassador for the U.S. China Strong Student Ambassador program for the 2016-2017 school year. For celebrating the Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, Chinese teachers in Wisconsin brought cultural activities into their classrooms and programs celebrating the festival with students. They also brought the Chinese culture and New Year celebrations into the communities to involve communities
and make our programs and students visible. For example, Chinese class students at the Green Bay Leonardo Da Vinci School for Gifted Learners held another successful Chinese/Asian New Year parade during the school assembly in January. Chinese students shared that many Asian cultures share and celebrated the same lunar new year. Many teachers around the state made dumplings with their students, and some Chinese programs put on Chinese New Year performances by students in their schools and communities to celebrate the festival. Xin’nian kuaile!
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Many Chinese students in Wisconsin are preparing for the upcoming Annual Wisconsin State Chinese Speech Contest. It will be held at UW-Milwaukee this spring. Students of WACLT members are welcome and invited to sign up for the contest. Our board members will work diligently to bring a successful, enjoyable, and memorable event for you and our students. In closing, we hope your spring semester will end well, your summers will be filled with travel, time with family and friends, and personalized learning opportunities. We will see you in Fall 2017 at the WAFLT and WACLT business meeting. Yinghan Xue
Kettle Moraine High School and Kettle Moraine Middle School students at the China Lights exhibit at Boerner Botanical gardens in Hales Corner, WI.
Neenah Joint School District, Sun Prairie School District, and St. Mary Catholic Schools students at the Chicago Field Museum for the exhibition of China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors.
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American Association of French Teachers-Wisconsin Chapter President Andrea Behn Parker High School, Janesville presidentAATFLWI@gmail.com President-Elect Ellen Onsrud Lake Mills Middle & High School presidentelectAATFWI@gmail.com
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Wopat Onalaska High School treasurerAATFWI@gmail.com
Concours Oral Ramona Amour Arrowhead Union High School, Hartland concoursoralAATFWI@gmail.com
Past President SuAnn Schroeder Medford High School pastpresidentAATFWI@gmail.com
AATF Regional Representative Eileen Walvoord Retired French Teacher eilwalv@aol.com
AATF Website: www.frenchteachers.org Sign up to be on the AATF-Wisconsin list serve at: AATFWisconsin-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Visit: www.theworldspeaksfrench.org
Mes chers collègues, ’m very proud of what AATF-WI has accomplished over the past several years and I’m excited for it to continue! I’d like to take a few moments to share some important events, deadlines, and opportunities to promote our programs and French.
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AATF-WI proudly sponsors the following events for our students: C Grand Concours (National French Contest) – registration information is provided here: aatfwi.org/grand-concours C Concours Oral (French Pronunciation Contest) – information is here: aatfwi.org/concours-oral-fran-ais C Excellence in French Award (scholarship for graduating seniors) – aatfwi.org/awards Additionally, AATF also sponsors the following for our students:
C La Société Honoraire de Français (SHF) - This organization is for high school students and members and may benefit from travel scholarships, contests, and awards. C Les Jeunes Amis du Français – This organization is for middle and elementary school students and can have either a cultural or an academic option for membership. I encourage you to check these programs out. If you have questions, I can answer them or put you in touch with someone who recently started participating to see how they began the process. (frenchteachers.org/shf/) Once again, the AATF-WI Executive Board invites you to nominate colleagues, students, and community members for awards. Winners will be recognized at our annual business meeting in November. The awards are as follows:
C Concours Pédagogique – This award is one that you can win yourself as a member of AATF. All you have to do is submit a unit and fill out the form online. The winner receives a year’s membership to AATF. C Étoile Montante – This award is for a member of AATF who is fairly new to teaching (under five years) and who has contributed to the profession. The recipient will be sent to the AATF Convention and will participate in the Future Leaders Fellowship. C Héros du Français – This award recognizes non-French teacher colleagues, parents, and community members. We love giving this award and have recognized seven Héros in the last two years! C Distinguished French Educator – This AATF member must have been a French educator for 10 years and have positively contributed to the profession. There is a $100 prize!
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C Certificate of Recognition – This award recognizes a member’s contributions to the profession and organization. Three years membership is required and the prize is a gorgeous plaque!
C Dorothy S. Ludwig Excellence in Teaching Award (for members).
C Excellence in French (for graduating seniors, mentioned above)
C AATF Small Grants – Please contact Brian Wopat before you apply for this grant, as AATF-WI is responsible for matching this grant.
Please consider participating and nominating someone! It’s great publicity for them, the organization, and French! aatfwi.org/awards AATF also has a great tool for promoting our programs. The Exemplary Program Award application deadline is February 15. (The date was moved up this year from March 15 the last two years.) The award recognizes programs at all levels, elementary through college/university, and it is for two years. My program received the award two years ago and I am working on the application for this year. I make sure to include my students in the process and it’s something they are very proud of. The information is here: frenchteachers.org/hq/awardsandgrant s.htm. In addition to the Exemplary Program Award, there are other opportunities for members on the same page. Some opportunities of interest are: C AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award (for our students). C AATF Excellence in French Award (for our students). C Rebecca & Jean-Paul Valette AATF Legacy Award – This new award is for programs that show growth in programs over a period of several years. C AATF Convention Travel Award – This is for members who would like some financial assistance to the national convention.
C AATF/Concordia Language Villages Outstanding Administrator Award – Recognize your supportive administrators.
C AATF Scholarships – If you are looking for some great professional development, please consider applying for a scholarship here: frenchteachers.org/hq/summerscholar ships.htm Please remember that WAFLT has some great opportunities for grants, scholarships, and awards, too. Check them out! aatfwi.org/awards and waflt.org/member-resources/scholarsh ipsawards/.
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Finally, I would like to promote a free kit to promote French. The “Et en plus. je parle français” kit may be useful as students register for classes for next year. Here is the information on the obtaining the kit: http://frenchlanguage.frenchculture.org /news/your-free-french-language-prom otional-kit-et-en-plus-je-parle-francais I will continue to email announcements to members as we work our way through the school year. Please let me know if there are announcements you would like shared, questions that I can answer, or ideas that we can collaborate on. I look forward to sharing information about future workshops, graduate credit opportunities, and teaching resources. Bonne continuation et bon courage!
2017 WAFLT Fall Conference November 2-4 Radisson Paper Valley Hotel Appleton, WI Reach Beyond the Horizon: Maximizing Effective Language Teaching and Cultivating Enhanced Student Proficiency Watch for details at waflt.org and in the fall issue of The VOICE of WAFLT
Andrea Behn
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American Association of Teachers of German – Wisconsin President Siggi Piwek Milwaukee German Immersion School piweks@milwaukee.k12.wi.us Vice President Jeanne Schueller UW-Madison jmschuel@wisc.edu
Past President Tobias Barske UW-Stevens Point tbarske@uswp.edu
Treasurer Melanie Lasee Ashwaubenon High School mlasee@ashwaubenon.k12.wi.us
Secretary Stephanie Krenz Stoughton High School stephanie.krenz@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Herzliche Grüße an alle Deutschlehrerinnen und Deutschlehrer in Wisconsin! reetings from the Officers of your chapter! We hope your school year or semester is going well. We are looking forward to many exciting events for you and your German language students. Our first larger event was our annual German Immersion Weekend, which took place February 17-19 in New Glarus (“Little Switzerland”). It is hard to believe that this annual event has brought together German language teachers from Northern Illinois and Wisconsin for now 20 years. Our topic this year was refugees in Europe, which is a controversial and high-interest issue to globally-minded citizens in many parts of the world. While many of our involved colleagues contributed to the success of this professional learning and networking opportunity, I would like to especially thank Antje Starbird and Charles James (who continues to share his organizational talents, even after his official retirement)..
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This year's annual German Pronunciation Contest consisted of three regional competitions. Students in the Southeast region competed on February 25th at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, those from the
Northeast region at St. Mary Catholic High School in Neenah on March 7, and those from the Madison/West Wisconsin region at Kromrey Middle School in Middleton on March 18. The state competition for all qualifying students will be held on April 1, 2017 at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Thanks to Sabine Beirold, who has been organizing the regional competition for 20 years and the state competition for 17 years to promote the study of German in Wisconsin. Many students from all over our state are again taking part in the DSSV German Essay Competition. More than 500 students from 18 high schools are competing for cash and travel prizes. The award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 7, at Marquette University High School. On April 25, UW-Madison will host the 28th annual German Day. This year's theme will be “Beieinander, Miteinander, Füreinander.” Please join our national organization, the AATG, if you have not already done so, and encourage your German language teacher colleagues to join as well. Being an AATG member gives
you access to a variety of resources (networking, teaching materials, etc.), and also allows you to take advantage of a number of professional development opportunities (seminars, webinars, workshops, conferences) throughout the year. I hope to see you at our annual WAFLT Fall Conference or at ACTFL in Nashville this year. Danke für euren Einsatz für eure Lernenden und für Deutsch in Wisconsin, Siggi Piwek
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Wisconsin Association of Teachers of Japanese President Shinji Takahashi UW-Milwaukee (414) 229-5650 takahash@uwm.edu
President-Elect Open
Activities Director/ Secretary Yuko Kojima-Wert UW-Milwaukee (414) 229-5650 kojima@uwm.edu
Web Page Editor Masako Lackey UW-Milwaukee (414) 229-5650 lackey@uwm.edu
President ex-officio Richard Kania Franklin High School (414) 423-4640, ext. 2116 Richard.Kania@franklin.k12.wi.us
Treasurer Yu Kitamura (715) 424-0239 yu.kitamura@wrps.net
Membership Information: Please visit the AATJ website – http://aatj.org/membership/index.html Please visit our website for K-16 Japanese instruction in Wisconsin: http://sites.google.com/site/wiaotoj
Konnichiwa!
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e hope your spring semester is off to a great start!
WAFLT Fall Conference 2017 It’s never too early to start thinking about the WAFLT Fall Conference. Please mark your calendars for November 2-4, 2017. The theme of this year’s conference is “Reach Beyond the Horizon: Maximizing effective language teaching and cultivating enhanced student proficiency.” We expect to have many presentations regarding Japanese pedagogy and we look forward to sharing ideas on educating our students. Our business meeting is on Saturday morning (Nov.4). We hope to have participation from many parts of Wisconsin. Events Held The Milwaukee Japanese Association and Franklin High School co-hosted Japan Fest on November 6, 2016. We had over 850 participants. WiATJ had a booth at this event and helped promote Japanese language and culture to the
community members in Milwaukee. WiATJ had a fruitful business meeting at the WAFLT Fall Conference. We discussed our future events such as the Japan Bowl Competition, a speech contest, and other outreach activities. The 4th Annual Japan Bowl Competition in Wisconsin took place on February 4, 2017 at Franklin High School. This competition is an academic competition for high school students who study the Japanese language. The winning team will, thanks to the generous support of the Mazda Foundation, compete at the National Japan Bowl in Washington, DC. WiATJ reached out to Anime fans who gathered at Anime Milwaukee from February 17-19, 2017. During this Anime convention, WiATJ organized academic lectures and cultural events such as origami (paper folding), traditional games, and calligraphy. UW-Milwaukee hosted an intermural speech contest on March 3, 2017. Students from several colleges and high schools participated. Some of the participants will go to the speech
contest held by Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago on March 25, 2017. They hope to have more participants next year. If you or your institution has any news, holds any events, or receives any awards or comments, please share them with us so we can include them in future newsletters. We would love to hear from you. In closing, Wisconsin is one of the leading states in Japanese education and it is very important that we continue to be visible in the area of foreign language education. Your participation in WAFLT will make a huge difference. Please become a WAFLT member today. waflt.org/member-resources/join-waflt Finally, if you haven’t become a member of WiATJ yet, please do so by going to the AATJ website today (aatj.org/membership/index.html ). We always welcome any ideas you have to help improve WiATJ and to meet your needs. Please let us know if you have any ideas to contribute. The door is always open. Shinji Takahashi
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Wisconsin Latin Teachers Association President Daniel Tess Brookfield Central High School tessdanielp@gmail.com
Secretary Vacant
Webmaster Keely Lake, Ph.D. Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam klake@wayland.org
Treasurer William W. Kean 110 S. Henry St. #204 Madison, WI 53703
Salvēte Magistrae et Magistrī! erennial exhortations to Classics students to consider a career in pedagogy are always backed up by claims that jobs are plentiful and ubiquitous. I decided to do some digging and attempt to visualize what various organizations are telling us about the teacher inopia. It is clear that K-12 needs are still in the hundreds of positions nationwide and the university needs are still in the double digits as well.
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ESL/Bilingual certification to make themselves more marketable to more employers.
The first map from the Department of Education culls information from each state for the 2016-2017 school year. A few states (in black) were clearly identifying Latin in addition to other languages as specific shortfalls. A plurality of other states may not have reported Latin but did report world language needs in addition to Bilingual and ESL. It is clear that reporting varies from state to state [www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol /tsa.html], with some showing specific shortages for various grade levels and some reporting blanket issues without subcategorization. The other major problem with state reporting is that no actual numbers of vacant positions are published, so trends are more difficult to interpret. No matter what the weaknesses of this summary, it is clear that we can continue to encourage our students to study and/or license in more than one language or add an
The Society for Classical Studies (formerly APA) also helps publish vacancies and upcoming openings. The bonus of their portal is that they tend to focus on the university positions which may not make it into the reports of the other organizations listed above. Currently the SCS is showing 81 openings both across the US and abroad. Of course adjunct and part-time positions are mixed in with tenure-track, which changes the perception of whether those 81 openings can be considered potential careers for the scholars we mentor. Breviter
After perusing the American Classical League’s placement service, which culls more private/independent school ads, one can see more states with specific Latin needs, albeit in the 1-7 position range. These numbers tend to jump in the next few months, so we continue to see a need for instructors especially at the K-12 level.
For those who have been able to study with Reginald Foster, the long days of reading, interpreting, and speaking based on a wide variety of authors still produce a nostalgia just for having met one of the finest Latinists in the world. Finally his “textbook” is available. Ossa Latinitatis Sola Ad Mentem Reginaldi Rationemque attempts to encapsulate Foster’s system for helping students learn the “bones” of the language. While most teachers would glance at the book and see parallels to many other instructional texts, nevertheless one cannot discount the fact that Foster has a peerless understanding for the functioning of the language developed over decades of wide reading, usage, and teaching. His
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system, even if it cannot be contained in one or two texts, will aid any Latin teacher as they seek to make their content more intuitive. While there are still some deep divides in our profession over grammar/translation and treating the classics with more modern pedagogy, the Ossa provides points of shared interest for the most ardent of traditionalists and the most avid of comprehensible input-ers. As teachers we tend to want our students to be as appreciative of all the obscure corners of our languages as we are. Indeed one could not consider oneself in the upper echelons of mastery without a deep knowledge of the language. Foster’s book will find a welcome spot on the shelf of anyone who wants to use the depth of authentic ancient texts and at the same time help students to intuit and produce features of Latin more expertly for everyday usage. Dan Tess
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Moved recently? Changed jobs? Changed names? Update your WAFLT profile! Your profile information is the main vehicle for WAFLT to keep in touch with you and pass on information about what is happening in our organization. Verify/update your own information today: 1. Go to waflt.org and click on “Login” from the right end of the menu bar at the top. — Don’t remember your password? Click on “Forgot Password” and retrieve it using your email address or login ID. 2. Type in your login ID or email address and your password to enter. — Still can’t login? DO NOT create a new login! Instead, contact webmaster@waflt.org for assistance. 3. On the left click account information. 4. Click edit at the top to make changes. Don’t forget to save! — If possible add a personal email address in addition to the school one as some schools block waflt.org.
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American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese President Lisa Bane Tia Lita, LLC, Glendale, WI 414-416-6578 tialitaedu@gmail.com
Secretary Barb Olsen Kettle Moraine Lake Schools 414-530-6981 barbara.olsen@kmlhs.org
NSE Coordinator Victoria Carter Onalaska Schools 608-386-0017 carvi@onalaskaschools.com
Past President
Treasurer Jessica Owens Fox Point-Bayside Schools 262-501-9519
Janet Jackson Sociedad Honoraria West Bend Schools HispĂĄnica jjackson@wbsd-schools.org Monica Lentz Elmbrook Schools 414-550-0224 lentzm@elmbrookschools.org
Fred Cruz Brookfield Academy (262) 783-3200 cruz@brookfieldacademy.org President Elect Erin Nienas Stoughton Schools 920-252-5136 erin.nienas@stoughton.k12.wi.us
Webmaster Shelly Krueger West Bend Schools 262-689-0923 skrueger@wbsd-schools.org
Concurso Oral Sara Ruiz Hartford Union Schools 262-338-3023 sara.ruiz@huhs.org
Queridos Colegas, 017 is going to be a great year for the Wisconsin chapter of the AATSP. Many new members have stepped up to serve on the board and we are looking forward to working and growing together to support Spanish teachers in Wisconsin.
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Those attending the AATSP professional session in Appleton had the pleasure of hearing 2011 Book Festival Author, Peter Geniesse.
Peter Geniesse grew up in northeastern Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in journalism. During the 1960s he worked as a lay missioner in northern Chile and began developing his interest in social justice issues. Geniesse worked for many years as a newspaper reporter and editor; he traveled to numerous countries on writing assignments, including Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba. His 2010 book, Illegal: NAFTA Refugees Forced to Flee, examines reasons for the migration of large numbers of undocumented Latinos, many from Mexico. Thanks so much to Peter for sharing his experience and perspectives with us. We held our Concurso Oral March 11 and are revamping the levels to Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Special Beginning and Special
Advanced as well as building a cycle of selections we can add to and adjust each year. We plan to develop a form for our website where teachers can submit suggestions for literary selections. Teachers can submit pieces they feel are strong for students at their level so that we have children preparing high quality selections that offer a reasonable range of challenge. Another aspect we are trying to build is activities in the large group waiting area since we have more than 400 Spanish students from all over Wisconsin there, we’d like to use that waiting time to showcase what students can do with their Spanish language skills (skits, songs, videos, etc.) With the help of the National AATSP, we have rebuilt our chapter website. Members can find us at wiaatsp.org
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The 99th Annual AATSP Conference is in Chicago at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, July 6-9, 2017. We encourage all to see whether they can get there. Register by April 1 for reduced conference fees. In 2018 the 100th Anniversary will be celebrated in Salamanca, Spain.
We know there are so many wonderful Spanish teachers across our state. Please make sure to nominate a deserving colleague so we can acknowledge the outstanding work done in our field.
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Your suggestions are welcome for speakers and or activities for our AATSP professional support session at the WAFLT Fall Conference in November. Contact any board member with your ideas. We want to serve you and support you; let us know how we can do that. Lisa Bane
We are working to develop a teacher support program using the expertise of our retirees as mentors and classroom support for those in the classroom, in particular those still establishing themselves in the profession.
2016-2017 AATSP Board
Wisconsin Association For Language Teachers & Discover Languages Wisconsin Presents the 2017 Discover Languages
Student Video & Postcard Contests Contest Theme:
Languages – Reach Beyond the Horizon! For All Students Enrolled in World Language Classes in Wisconsin Elementary (PK-5) ~ Middle School (6-8) ~ High School (9-12) ~ Post-Secondary (Undergraduate) As you learn more about our world, bring the world to Wisconsin. Show us how much languages mean to you and how important they are in your life! Submission Deadline October 2, 2017 Visit waflt.org for contest details to begin!
Help Wisconsin Discover Languages and Discover the World! Discover Languages is a national campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of language learning and the understanding of cultures.
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The VOICE of WAFLT
WAFLT Awards, Scholarships, and Grants: Details & Forms available @ waflt.org WAFLT Distinguished Language Educator Award: WAFLT's highest recognition, may be conferred annually on an individual of the language teaching profession who has demonstrated long-term achievement and service to WAFLT and to the profession locally, statewide, regionally, and/or nationally. Nomination Deadline: March 15 Anthony J. Gradisnik Award: May be conferred on an individual or group especially from outside the world language teaching profession who shares Mr. Gradisnik's enthusiasm and advocacy for language education in such areas as international education, early language learning, and creative initiatives in language education. Nomination Deadline: March 15 Frank M. Grittner New Teacher Award: May be conferred annually on an individual new to the language teaching profession with one to three years experience who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and leadership in the promotion of language learning and international understanding; has given service to school, community, and state organizations; and has shown commitment to regional and national organizations. Nomination Deadline: March 15 WAFLT Excellence in Language Study Award: May be conferred on students who have demonstrated great achievement and progress in language study and who exhibit great potential for further achievement in the language. Students currently enrolled in a world language course offered at their school. Elementary, middle school, high school, and post-secondary students are eligible. Nomination Deadline: March 15 WAFLT Honors in Language Study Award: May be conferred on students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in and commitment to their school’s language programs. Students currently enrolled in the most advanced world language course offered at their school; high school and post-secondary students are eligible. Deadline: March 15 WAFLT Future Language Teacher Award: May be conferred annually on students in teacher-training programs who have shown exceptional promise and potential to become outstanding World Language educators. Students currently enrolled in a teacher-training program are eligible. Nomination Deadline: April 1 Donna Clementi Award for Excellence in World Language Programs: Recognizes one school and/or district that promotes language learning through quality programs.
WAFLT Professional Service Award: May be presented annually to recent retirees who have served both the profession and their students in providing quality world language education. Recent retirees with a minimum of ten years’ experience as World Language educators and who have been members of WAFLT a minimum of five years within the past ten years are eligible. Nomination Deadline: May 15 WAFLT Recognition of Merit: May be presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in teaching or who have made significant contributions to the language teaching profession. Nomination Deadline: February 15 WAFLT Student Travel Scholarship: Designed to help Wisconsin pre-collegiate world language students to participate in language and cultural immersion programs, this scholarship was established in 1999 to honor O. Lynn Bolton, a Spanish teacher in the West Allis-West Milwaukee school district. Nomination Deadline: December 1 WAFLT Scholarship for Professional Development: Designed to help World Language educators in Wisconsin improve their classroom teaching skills, this scholarship was established in 1995 to honor Professor Roma Hoff as she retired from the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The fund was expanded to honor Professor Constance Knop who retired from the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996, and again in 2005 to honor the memory of Professor Irène Kraemer who served in many capacities at Carthage College. Nomination Deadline: April 15 WAFLT Scholarship for Tomorrow’s Teachers: Designed to offer financial assistance to attend the WAFLT Fall Conference for up to 20 college-level students preparing to become language teachers. Deadline: September 25 WAFLT Special Projects Grants: Designed to support research efforts, exchange initiatives, special programs, and projects that clearly demonstrate an ability to benefit a broad constituency of World Language educators and students in Wisconsin. Deadlines: April 15 and November 15 WAFLT Central States Extension Workshop Grant: Designed to offer financial support for two WAFLT members to attend the Central States Extension Workshop each spring. Recipients of the grant are expected to work together to present a WAFLT Extension Workshop at the Fall Conference in Appleton. Deadline: December 15
The VOICE of
WAFLT Katy Dueppen, Editor WAFLT Membership Service PO Box 1493 Appleton, WI 54912
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