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April 2024

FLAVA AWARDS

Do you know the next Virginia World Language Teacher of the Year?  You just might be the key to deciding who is recognized for this and other prestigious awards from FLAVA.  See the article below for more information on how to nominate an outstanding colleague.

VDOE Updates

Governor's World Language Academies

GWLA Status Notices

Nominees will receive decision notices via email between April 10-15, 2024.  Applicants will also be able to see their status posted on their SMApply account page after the notifications have been sent.

Status Notices for each school division or private school that submits nominees will be sent by email to the designated contact person listed in the SSWS system as the primary contact for the Governor's World Language Academies.   Notices will be sent on or around April 5, 2024. 

Public school divisions that need to update their designated contact in SSWS should contact their local SSWS account administrator.  Private schools that need to update their contact person should email Lisa Harris, Coordinator of World Languages, for assistance.

Supervisors' Corner

World Language Supervisor Tuesdays

World Language supervisors and lead teachers are invited to participate in monthly discussions on topics related to world language leadership and supervision. Sessions will take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except  November) at 10 a.m. Register in advance to receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting(s). The next meeting will take place on May 14, 2024.  There is no April session.

Summer Dual Language Leadership Institute

Registration is now open for the 2024 Virginia Dual Language Leadership Institute on July 23, 2024 from 9:45am - 1:00 pm. This free virtual event featuring Drs. Virginia Collier and Wayne Thomas is sponsored by the Virginia Dual Language Educators Network (VADLEN) and is open to all administrators and other leaders with an interest in supporting dual language/ immersion programs in Virginia.  Supervisors are encouraged to invite current and prospective DL/I school leaders, administrators, and curriculum developers to participate.

FLAVA Awards

Do you have a colleague or community partner who deserves recognition for being an outstanding contributor to the field of World Language education? If so, take a moment to nominate them for one of the FLAVA awards listed below. Details for each award and the nomination process can be found on the FLAVA website. Nominations for these awards are due May 1.  

• The Cox Award for K-12 World Language Teacher of the Year 
• The Marshall-Brannon Award for Post-Secondary World Language Teacher of the Year
• The Warriner-Burke Award for Distinguished Service
• Friend of FLAVA Award for Contributions for World Language Education
• The Novice World Language Teacher Award
• University Student Recognition

News and Notes

News from Across the Commonwealth

Virginia Dual Language teacher wins national award

Vivian Rivera-Maysonet was selected as the 2024 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the National Association for Bilingual Education. She is the fourth-grade Spanish dual language immersion teacher at Elizabeth Scott Elementary in Chesterfield County. Congratulations to Vivian! 

York County schools partner with ODU to bring virtual reality world language program to students

The project between York County Schools and Old Dominion University is funded by a grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).  The lesson modules "will provide experiences to help students navigate real-world scenarios in the language they are learning."  The full news article is available to subscribers of the Daily Press.

Professional Learning

Free Olympics-themed Workshop for French Teachers

In light of the upcoming Olympics in France, French educators and teachers are invited to take part in an immersive in-person professional development workshop tour on “Sport et olympisme dans les médias” with Xavier GILLET.  Online registration is now open for the free in-person workshop that will take place at the Embassy of France in the US in Washington D.C. on  April 18, 2024 from 9AM to 4PM. 

In this workshop participants will discover the themes comprising sports journalism in terms of journalistic techniques and treatment of media events. Participants will analyze and perform an interview and a sports commentary; identify the role of the media’s image in sports news; and propose examples of pedagogical activities online with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

FLAVA Spring Conference 2024 

The FLAVA Spring Mini-Conference, Engage, Empower, and Energize, will be held in Lexington at Washington & Lee University on April 20, 2024.  Registration is open with regular registration for $60 and student/retirees registration for $30. Breakfast and lunch are included for all attendees who register by April 8, 2024. Onsite registration will also be available but will not include meals.

Note: The inclusion of any professional development opportunity or resource on this list from other entities does NOT constitute endorsement or verification by the Virginia Department of Education.