Press Release for IWLA 2016 Teacher of Promise Award Winner
October 10, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Coralville, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2016 Teacher of Promise has been awarded to Emily Wallace, a Spanish language teacher at Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa, IA. The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2016 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Coralville Marriott in Coralville, IA on Friday, October 7th.
She is, according to one of her former professors, “one of the more promising teachers that I have worked with in recent years. Although she is a new teacher, she is extremely mature and thoughtful in her outlook about the profession of teaching. She is truly clever, often grasping difficult concepts or coming to important conclusions very quickly."
In describing her purpose as a world language teacher, this TOP awardee stated, "So many opportunities become available when a person can speak more than one language and it is undeniably advantageous in today’s diversifying workforce. As a World Language Educator, I want to facilitate my students’ understanding of the Spanish language and culture, but more importantly, I want to prepare them to have successful futures. I want my students to have futures that include celebrating new cultures and accepting differences with open arms." IWLA would like to congratulate Emily as our 2016 IWLA Teacher of Promise.
About IWLA The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) represents the more than 1200 world language educators in the state from all levels of instruction and representing all languages. The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is devoted to advancing the worldwide mission of education and world languages, literature and culture by promoting the study of world languages and cultures, promoting language curricula, from primary to post-secondary levels, to enable students to become proficient in the target language, and opening the doors for multilingual interaction with other cultures. More information can be found at www.iwla.net.
Pictured: Emily with IWLA President-Elect, Dr. Pam Wesely
Coralville, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2016 Teacher of Promise has been awarded to Taylor Thenhaus, a Spanish language teacher at Madrid High School in Madrid, IA. The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2016 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Coralville Marriott in Coralville, IA on Friday, October 7th.
According to one of her former professors, "She can break difficult concepts down and explain them in ways that are understandable to secondary school students. She involves students in real-life activities. Her lessons include challenging content and smooth transitions. She encourages students to do well and guides them to find answers to their questions."
In describing her purpose as a world language teacher, this TOP awardee stated, "I want to inspire the world one classroom at a time, and know that I am helping make the world a better place one student at a time. My desire to learn about Spanish speaking countries transformed into an undeniable passion to spread awareness and appreciation of all cultures. I want to see a change in the world, and as a teacher I can make a difference." IWLA would like to congratulate Taylor as our 2016 IWLA Teacher of Promise.
Pictured: Taylor with IWLA Past President, Dr. Linda Quinn Allen
Press Release for IWLA 2016 Grant Winner
Coralville, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that a $500 Grant has been awarded to Samantha Finneseth, a Spanish teacher at West Central Valley High School in Stuart, IA. The grant presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2016 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Coralville Marriott in Coralville, IA on Friday, October 7th.
Samantha plans to use the funds to create bilingual children's stories written by her Spanish 3 and 4 classes. One book will go to the elementary and one to the local library. The students will also read their stories to the elementary students. Finally, after they read their stories to the elementary students, they will attend a cultural cooking demonstration.
Are there students you are aware of who might have an interest in an exchange program with a family in Europe? The OSEF (Organisme de Séjours Educatifs Francophones - Association Sans But Lucratif) offers a foreign exchange opportunity for American students in France, Belgium or Spain. Suzanne Stenson O'Brien is a volunteer U.S. Coordinator who would be happy to come to you and/or present for a parent cohort if you think there is interest! They have students in France and Belgium and over 100 students in Spain who would like to exchange. OSEF is an all-volunteer organization and runs as a non-profit registered in Belgium. More information is available at http://www.osef-usa.fr/, where there is an informational flyer available. Or you can contact Suzanne Stenson O’Brien by phone at (612) 868-7619. Watch for more information at www.iwla.net--job postings are listed including a long-term sub position in Spanish at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids. Just go here for more information. Want to stay in touch with IWLA between e-mail blasts? Like the IWLA (Iowa World Language Association) on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@iwla)! Our social media guru is Elizabeth Dentlinger who does a GREAT job sharing informative, funny and helpful items to our followers. A Like on Facebook will get you updates on deadlines for session proposals, early bird conference rates and more!
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Distinguished Service Educator has been awarded to Larry Pace, a Spanish language teacher for 41 years, with the last 38 at Colfax-Mingo High School in Colfax, IA. The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2015 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Downtown Mariott in Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 9th.
In addition to teaching, Larry has taken his students, and many parents, on 25 trips to places like: Guatemala, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, English, South Africa, Peru, Belize, and the Galapagos Islands. Larry received the IWLA Secondary Teacher of the Year in 1998, the ISEA Excellence in Education Award in 1999, and the Golden Apple Award from WHO TV13 in 2007. Larry recently said, “I continue to teach because I am still learning with my students about the ever-changing world and about myself.” A colleague described him as, “One of the great lights in the history of world languages education in this state.” IWLA would like to congratulate Larry as the 2015 IWLA Distinguished Service Educator.”
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Educator of the Year has been awarded to Kate Falvey, a German language teacher at Hutchinson High School in Hutchinson, MN (formerly at Waukee Prairieview in Waukee, IA). The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2015 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Downtown Mariott in Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 9th.
The award for the IWLA Educator of the Year must meet three criteria: (1) exemplify the best in teaching at his/her particular level, (2) demonstrate involvement in the Iowa World Language Association, and (3) provide evidence of leadership and contributions to the field of world language education. "Our awardee this year excels in each of the areas," said IWLA President, Dr. Linda Quinn Allen. Those who work closely with Ms. Falvey say that she is "a trusted and admired colleague, a leader among her peers, a driving force in curriculum development, and a risk-taker who always looks for new strategies and experiences to try." IWLA would like to congratulate Kate as the 2015 IWLA Educator of the Year.”
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce a 2015 Friend of IWLA has been given to Bea Houston, current Activities Director and Faculty Development Specialist, and former Spanish Instructor at Western Iowa Technical Community College in Sioux City, IA. The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2015 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Downtown Mariott in Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 9th.
Since 2008, Bea Houston has worked tirelessly as the Annual Conference Membership and Registration Chairperson. Being the sole registration person, Bea has sacrificed attending many conference sessions to be available during the busy times. IWLA Treasurer Stacy Amling notes, "Bea always has a quick smile and a ready answer for attendees who stop by the registration table with questions or conference feedback." Bea has also served as the community college representative on the IWLA Advisory Council, and has been active on the Executive Board for the Iowa chapter of American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, working as Secretary and Treasurer for that organization. IWLA would like to thank Bea for being a Friend of IWLA.
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Friend of IWLA Award has been given to Marcia Powell, a consultant at the Iowa Department of Education for Iowa Learning Online. The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2015 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Downtown Mariott in Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 9th.
Though Marcia has dedicated much of her life to educating Iowa's kids in the area of STEM, it was through her position at the Department of Education that she began working with Iowa world language teachers to develop state standards. Through her hard work, advocacy, and leadership, our state world language standards are now nearly complete. Although not a world language teacher by training, she has shown her commitment to multicultural education and outreach through projects to bring water to South Sudan and the Abdel Kadir project in Elkader, IA. For her outstanding work, IWLA would like to recognize Marcia Powell as a Friend of IWLA.
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that a $500 Grant has been awarded to Emily Turner, a Spanish language teacher at Camanche High School in Camanche, Iowa. The grant presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2015 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Downtown Mariott in Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 9th.
Emily plans to use the funds to purchase TPRS novels for a collaborative literacy project. Students in her upper-level Spanish classes will interact virtually with Spanish students from another small school. The project will give students opportunities to enhance their reading comprehension as well as their interpersonal communication. IWLA would like to congratulate Emily as our $500 grant winner.
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Teacher of Promise has been awarded to Loni O'Grady, a Spanish language teacher at Waukee Prairieview in Waukee, IA. The award presentation was held during the Luncheon of the 2015 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference at the Downtown Mariott in Des Moines, IA on Friday, October 9th.
Loni is, according to the person who nominated her, “the epitome of the teacher that this award was designed to recognize.” She is “the kind of caring, compassionate teacher that Mike Oates was to his students.” She is “an amazing teacher who expects and gets the very best out of her students when it comes to their language and cultural development, just as Mike did. Loni has endorsements in ESL and Spanish. She is fluent in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese and has completed travel and work experience in 13 Latin American Countries. She has several years experience teaching in Mexico. IWLA would like to congratulate Loni as our 2015 IWLA Teacher of Promise.
© The Iowa World Language Association
