In this Newsletter:

• Lead with Languages Teacher Scholars Announced for 2020
• ACTFL Stipend Award Program Applications due September 16
• ACTFL Statement on Supporting Language Educators and Learners
• NC Standard Course of Study (SCoS) Resources and Updates
• FLANC 2020 Fall Conference Beginning Teacher Scholarships due September 15

Lead with Languages Teacher Scholars Announced for 2020

The Lead with Languages Teacher Scholarship Program awards merit-based funding to graduating high school seniors committed to pursuing the language teaching profession in languages other than English. In this second year of the program, ten new scholars will begin their undergraduate journeys to becoming language educators!   Scholarship recipients are awarded $1,500 per academic year which may be renewed three times for a cumulative total of $6,000. Upon graduation and entry into the teaching field, the scholars will also receive 1-year complimentary ACTFL membership, including access to the ACTFL Mentoring Program.   One of the 2020 scholarship recipients, Bess, is from North Carolina. Go to the press release for the 2020 Lead with Languages Teacher Scholars to read about these future World Language educators.

ACTFL Stipend Award Program Applications due September 16

Each year, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) sponsors a Stipend Award Program for members to provide financial assistance to registrants to attend ACTFL's Convention, including the ACTFL 2020 Virtual Convention on November 20 - 22, 2020.   This year a new stipend award category was added to assist registrants who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC). Stipends are also available for first-time attendees, new teachers within the first three years of their teaching career, and full-time students (undergraduate or graduate). The application form is online and the deadline to apply for stipends is Wednesday, September 16, 2020.   Also, the following ACTFL Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are planning to offer three $100 first-time attendee stipends to their members to attend this year's conference: Comprehension-based Communicative Language Teaching Language Learning for Children Less Commonly Taught Languages Spanish for Heritage Learners   If you are already a member of one of these SIGs, please check your email for information on how to submit your application. If you're not a member but want to join by adding a SIG to your ACTFL membership for only $5, call 703-894-2900 to add a SIG. Applications are due by September 16, additional information and application details can also be found on the SIG Communities once you login.

ACTFL Statement on Supporting Language Educators and Learners

Back to school season is here and looks very different than any previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed what teaching and learning looked like only a few months ago. We know that this has caused anxiety, confusion, and worry for many.

Last week ACTFL released a statement supporting language education and learners this fall. The statement calls for action on five specific recommendations which are essential to supporting all teachers and learners during COVID-19 and beyond. They are:

1. Prioritize Educator and Learner Health and Safety
2. Include Language Educators in the Decision-Making Process
3. Focus on Equity and Access
4. Invest in a Pipeline of Well-Prepared and Diverse Educators
5. Make Professional Development Widely Available

ACTFL remains committed to providing vision, leadership, and support for quality teaching and learning of languages. Please go to the press release for the ACTFL Statement on Supporting Language Educators and Learners This Fall to read the full statement.

NC Standard Course of Study (SCoS) Resources and Updates

NC SEL Standards Mapping Documents Available The NC Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Implementation Team has just published the NC SEL Standards Mapping Documents Table. These documents show connections between existing standards in 12 content areas, including World Languages, and CASEL's Core SEL Competencies. Each document provides acknowledgments, an introduction, example lessons and activities, and a teaching practices section across each of the five CASEL Core SEL Competencies, as well as a standards alignment or mapping to support the integration of SEL into instruction.   Please access the NC SEL Standards Mapping Documents Table directly or see the current edition of the North Carolina SEL Newsletter for articles about the NC SEL Standards Mapping, the recent SEL presentation at the State Board of Education meeting in August, and other SEL resources and opportunities.

New K-12 Computer Science Standards Approved

The State Board of Education (SBE) added North Carolina to a list of 34 other states that have adopted teaching standards in computer science across all grades, K-12. In approving the new standards, the board concluded a process that has drawn on the expertise of educators in the field, industry professionals, higher education and non-profit organizations.

Mary Hemphill, Director of K-12 Computer Science & Technology Education, told the board that the standards reflect two key goals: that students will be creating and contributing in the field, not just using and consuming computer science in the digital economy, and making sure that students will be equipped to be actively engaged as informed citizens in a complex, technology-driven world.

The standards will be implemented in schools across the state beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, and they will be posted soon on the Computer Science and Technology Education webpage on the NCDPI website. For additional details from the SBE meeting in August, please see the From the Board Room: Activities from the NC Board of Education newsletter.

FLANC 2020 Fall Conference Beginning Teacher Scholarship Applications due September 15

The Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC) has decided to go virtual for the annual fall conference. Details are posted on the FLANC Fall Conference webpage.   The conference will kick off on Friday evening, October 9, with a brief business meeting, keynote speaker presentation, and virtual social events. Concurrent sessions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11. There will also be optional 3-hour evening workshops on Monday - Wednesday, October 5 - 7.

Like in previous years, FLANC is offering Beginning Teacher Scholarships to attend the conference, which include:

• FLANC membership for one year
• Reimbursement of Beginning Teacher registration fees for the general conference sessions ($35)
• Choice of 2 optional workshops

Other fees associated with attending the conference remain the responsibility of the attendee. Applicants must register and pay for the Fall Conference prior to applying for the scholarship.

If accepted, beginning teachers must agree to the following conditions in order to receive reimbursement:

• Be in your 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of teaching.
• Submit a color photo of yourself to be used at the Fall Conference. 
• Attend the virtual business meeting and keynote event on Friday evening, October 9, to be recognized as a beginning teacher scholarship winner.
• Submit a 1-page reflection on the overall professional experience at the Fall Conference by October 31 to be featured in future FLANC Catalyst newsletters (You will not be reimbursed until this reflection is received.)

Click here to apply for a Fall Conference Beginning Teacher (BT) Scholarship by September 15, 2020.

Note: Funds are available for multiple beginning teachers to receive this award.

More information can be found at https://www.flanc.org/members/awards.

If you have questions, contact Karen Dellinger, FLANC Scholarship and Mini-Grant Chair, at scholarship.minigrant@flanc.org.

NCDPI World Languages Google Site: http://bit.ly/NCDPIWL

NCDPI World Languages Facebook Page

NCDPI Dual Language/Immersion Google Site: http://bit.ly/NCDLIsite

NCDPI LinguaFolio Google Site: https://bit.ly/NCLFhome