Sponsored By
ACTFL
National Language Teacher of the Year
New 2009 Guidelines
The award for
The ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year is
intended to elevate the status of our profession at the state, regional,
and national levels by creating opportunities for recognizing the most
accomplished members of our profession. First and foremost, this
process is designed to involve all of our state, regional, and national
organizations in promoting our profession. Second, it is intended to
create as many media opportunities as possible to increase the
visibility of the importance of learning languages and cultures to the
general public. Successful candidates must be full-time language
educators who spend at least fifty-percent (50%) of their time in direct
teaching during the year of application with an expectation of teaching
during the next two (2) years.
Phase I:
Portfolio Development and Submission
Each state’s foreign
language association or other designated state organization is invited
to submit to that state’s regional language organization a nomination
form and accompanying portfolio for one (1) state-sponsored foreign
language teacher of the year candidate. Additional details and scoring
rubrics are provided below. Portfolios will be reviewed at the regional
level and each regional foreign language organization will submit to
ACTFL the portfolio of the winner of its regional Language Teacher of
the Year. Each state may submit one (1) candidate. States who
participate in more than one (1) regional conference may submit a
candidate to only one (1) regional organization. While states and
regionals have autonomy to change the selection process, regional
candidates must submit all the required documents for the national
dossier.
Phase II:
National Finalists
Each regional finalist
must attend the ACTFL Annual Convention in order to complete a personal
interview with the national selection committee. During this interview,
finalists will be asked to discuss pertinent topics, e.g., culture in
the classroom, professional involvement, value of language learning, and
offer in the form of a mock press conference or mock address to a civic
group the first three to five minutes of a ten (10) minute presentation
on an issue of current interest in national foreign language policy.
ALL
DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO YOUR REGIONAL ORGANIZATION BETWEEN
DECEMBER 15 AND JANUARY 15 (CONSULT REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
FOR SPECIFIC DEADLINES)
