Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that Adam Chelleen of the Grundy Center Community School District was chosen as the Best of Iowa presenter at the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference held at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022. This is an honor chosen by peers and colleagues in attendance. Mr. Chelleen will represent the state of Iowa at the Central States Conference of National Teaching of Foreign Language on March 9-11, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. We hope those in attendance will enjoy his session titled: Constructing Classroom Immersion Projects as much as we did. 

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that the 2022 Michael Oates Teacher of Promise Award has been given to Tye Nyhus, a Spanish teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools. This award is conferred annually on students in teacher training programs or in early stages of their careers who have shown exceptional promise and potential to become outstanding world language educators. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022

Mr. Nyhus was said to have “shown himself as an exceptional teacher right out of the gates.” He creates a safe and caring learning environment for his students and he cares for them as a whole child. He incorporates things like meditation, “tech neck” stretch breaks and Spanish song breaks. He holds high expectations for his students and as a result they reach Spanish learning levels they never thought were possible. In addition he has led engaging activities and lessons that captivate his students.  We believe Mr. Nyhus is deserving of this award because even his colleagues are inspired by him. This teacher of promise stated he has landed exactly where he is supposed to be. This Des Moines Public school teacher has many more years to continue promoting collaborative learning and building excitement for Spanish in the community he is building. IWLA congratulates Tye Nyhus for all of his early accomplishments and looks forward to all he will do.

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that the 2022 Michael Oates Teacher of Promise Award has been given to Jorge Luis Santiago, Jr., a Spanish teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools. This award is conferred annually on students in teacher training programs or in early stages of their careers who have shown exceptional promise and potential to become outstanding world language educators. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022

Mr. Santiago is described as “energetic.” He shifted careers during the pandemic and began to teach middle school Spanish in a brand new program. He loves the kids, teaches with curiosity and sound pedagogy. He serves classrooms with mixed and novice learners and heritage learners in the same classroom. He has a way of using social media to post snip-its of class on Tik Tok and his students love it.  We know that he is going to be a wonderful advocate for ALL language learners as he starts his career. He started his education in Puerto Rico and worked as a PE teacher and as a substitute teacher. Later, he spent time advocating Spanish education in his previous occupations in Wisconsin. Iowa is lucky to have him as an educator! He stated “It is his privilege to serve asa Spanish teacher and doing so has given him the opportunity to connect with the community, parents, students and colleagues. Teaching Spanish has led him to appreciate his Latino roots and to express the beauty of cultural diversity in the classroom.” Our Teacher of Promise said it best when he said, “Nothing happens by chance.” and IWLA believes he is right.  Please congratulate this Des Moines Public School teacher, Jorge Luiz Santiago Jr.

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2022 IWLA Grant goes to the Des Moines Public Schools Spanish Team. This year’s grant recipients will use the funds they are awarded to organize and implement district wide Olympic games. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022. This grant is meant to “support innovation among our teachers by providing funding for classroom materials or technology that can improve teaching and learning.” Please join us in congratulating the Des Moines Public Schools Spanish Team as a 2022 IWLA Grant Recipient! We look forward to seeing and hearing the impact this grant was able to make for their program and students.

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to share that Christina Cortez, a Spanish teacher at Hudson High, has been recognized with the 2022 President’s Award. This is an honor received for commitment and dedication to serving on the IWLA executive board. Cortez has been a member of the executive board of IWLA since 2019, previously serving on its grant committee. Her excellent leadership skills and commitment to IWLA’s mission of promoting world languages are some of the many reasons she was selected for this honor.  The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Cortez on this awesome accomplishment!

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2022 IWLA Educator of the Year for the Middle Level has been awarded to Johanys Alvarez-Cruz, a Des Moines Public Schools Spanish teacher at both Harding and Meredith in Des Moines, Iowa. The Educator of the Year Award is designed to recognize teachers who exemplify the best in teaching at their particular level, who demonstrate involvement in the Iowa World Language Association, and who provide evidence of leadership and contributions to the field of world language education. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022.

Ms. Alvarez-Cruz was selected as the mid-level educator of the year because she is the PLC lead for Heritage Spanish teachers in her district. In addition to that she freely and willingly shares things she makes with her colleagues. In response to the teacher shortage she began leading a future educators club to encourage her bilingual students to become our next generation of teachers. She teaches with enthusiasm and uses current research to help aid her students in language acquisition. She also began taking graduate courses in ELL to support students in her classroom. Her administrator stated, “she has been one of the most exemplary teachers not only in their school, but in the district.” She uses her bilingual abilities to build connections with students, families and the community. She engages students everyday in hands-on activities. Ms. Alvarez-Cruz is described as having an infectious personality and upbeat demeanor. This combination has engaged and inspired even her most reluctant learners. One student said, “she was always patient with students and helpful and caring, not just about school, but about them.” Johanys Alvarez-Cruz exemplifies the best of teaching and has provided outstanding service to the profession in the state of Iowa. It is our privilege to honor her as a recipient of this award.

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2022 IWLA Educator of the Year for the Secondary Level has been awarded to Melina Mena-Davis, a Spanish teacher at Northwest High School in Waukee, Iowa. The Educator of the Year Award is designed to recognize teachers who exemplify the best in teaching at their particular level, who demonstrate involvement in the Iowa World Language Association, and who provide evidence of leadership and contributions to the field of world language education. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022.

Ms. Mena-Davis can often be found in her classroom after contract hours. She is committed to creating current practice curriculum resources, lending a hand to novice teachers and giving supplemental instruction to students. Many students and staff have benefitted from the commitment she has to her work. She is dedicated to her craft and a growth and proficiency mindset. Her administrator said “she is not only a teacher-leader in her classroom, but she is also at the forefront of leadership in the World Language department at her school and in her district. She has the experience, the knowledge and courage to guide any school towards excellence.” Ms. Mena-Davis provides constant opportunities for her students to reflect, monitor their progress and set goals for themselves. She models a growth mindset. She has an energy that is contagious and her positivity creates an environment where mistakes are valued for the opportunity they provide. Everyday Ms. Mena-Davis shows her students they are capable. She presents her classes with wonderful culture through music, novels and current events. During this instruction the language is always kept at the forefront. Melina Mena-Davis is very deserving recipient of this award.

Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2022 Friend of IWLA has been awarded to Linda Fandel. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022.

Iowa City, IA - The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce two 2019 IWLA Grant recipients: Alyssa Maske, Spanish teacher at South Central Calhoun CSD and Sierra Depping, Spanish teacher at Tripoli CSD.  The award presentation was held during the luncheon of the 2019 Iowa World Language Association’s  annual fall conference at the The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, October 5th, 2019.  This grant is meant to “support innovation among our teachers by providing funding for classroom materials or technology that can improve teaching and learning.” Both Alyssa and Sierra are recipients of a grant to purchase comprehension based novels in Spanish for their classrooms. These books will aid in the Spanish acquisition of their students. Please join us in congratulating Alyssa Maske and Sierra Depping as the 2019 IWLA Grant Recipients!

Iowa City, IA - The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that the 2019 Friend of IWLA recipient is Stefanie Wager, consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. The award presentation was held during the luncheon of the 2019 Iowa World Language Association’s  annual fall conference at the The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, October 5th, 2019. This honor is meant to “recognize an individual who has provided special and exceptional service or aid to the Iowa World Language Association.” Stefanie has gone above and beyond to assist the Iowa World Language Association in obtaining, advertising and supporting the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy. Please join us in congratulating Stefanie Wager as the 2019 Friend of IWLA!