Press Release for IWLA 2016 Grant Winner
October 10, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.
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.
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.
Des Moines, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Teacher of Promise has been awarded to Robert Benesh, a recent graduate with a Masters of Arts in teaching from the University of Iowa. He has endorsements in ESL and Japanese. 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.
One of his former professors described him as “inquisitive, thoughtful, iconoclastic, and sensitive to the needs of his students.” In describing his early experiences with Japanese, this TOP awardee stated, “I began to look at the world around me differently. Information and ideas I used to take at face value had taken on a new level of complexity as I learned that values and beliefs are a part of culture, and that every person in the world has a unique and equally valid perspective. I knew then that I never wanted to stop learning language.” IWLA would like to congratulate Robert as our 2015 IWLA Teacher of Promise.
© The Iowa World Language Association
