Other+Useful+Resources


 * NEW for 2011-12:** Spanish 2 teachers may find some of the activities I post at splessons.wikispaces.com to be helpful. It is a wiki with a very rough outline of each day's lesson for students who missed the class or wish to access materials afterwards.

AMERICAN COUNCIL ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Of course ACTFL needs to head the list of important resources. Learn more at: [|American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages] I had so many fabulous opportunities and met such amazing people last year through my travels. Some of the highlights are chronicled on this wiki through my 2010 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year page.

And use the link below to find out more about this unique opportunity to be a spokesperson for our profession or to champion a deserving colleague to do so: [|ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year Award.]

These articles give ideas for how to maximize the state and regional TOY awards: article from [|The Language Educator]: August 2010 and article from The Language Educator, August 2011

[|more photos from ACTFL]

NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION I found out that I had achieved [|National Board Certification] the same day I received the ACTFL award. More than one person suggested that I buy a lottery ticket as I was clearly on a run of very good luck! Click on the link above to learn more about NBC. It can be stressful and involves a great deal of time, to be sure. But the emphasis is always on how to impact student achievement and I think that it has made me much more reflective about what I do and what I must continue to do to keep learning. Give it some thought!

**FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI** [|FLAM] provides qualilty programming for all language teachers in Missouri through its [|annual conference] and [|newsletter.] A new membership policy means that all Missouri language teachers are automatically members. I encourage others outside of MO to find out how to become members of their own state organizations. I can't stress enough the importance that professional involvement can be in helping to build a rewarding career and in making connections with inspiring colleagues.

**SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS ** I serve my district as the chair of the Curriculum Development Committee for Foreign Languages. In that capacity I plan our professional development activities, work with new teachers, and try to provide resources and support for over 40 incredible world language teachers in Springfield, Missouri. Here is a link to a wiki for our teachers: World Languages--Springfield, Missouri Public Schools

=CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI = I've come full circle by returning in the Fall of 2008 to teach in my alma mater. CHS has gone through a real renaissance in the last decade and the Bulldog Pride is always on display. See the invitation we sent to President Obama to attend out 2010 Commencement and learn why we think our school is AWESOME! [|Race to the Top Commencement Challenge] [|Central High School webpage] [|Photo Tour of My Classroom]

=CHS SALSA CLUB = I am the proud sponsor of the Central High School Salsa Club. Members meet in my room twice a week and teach each other new dance steps as well as prepare for competitions and performances in assemblies and other public events. We have become like a family and I am so proud of them.

[|CHS Salsa Club]

=INSTITUTO DE CULTURA Y LENGUA COSTARRICENSE ALAJUELA, COSTA RICA = The ICLC is the language school in Costa Rica with which I've been associated with since 1998. Each July they accept high school students traveling on their own through the Teen Program. And of course they will customize arrangements at any time for teachers traveling with their own students. For more information about the ICLC Study/Homestay Programs and the Programa Maestro see: []

MISSOURI EDUCATORS' TRIP TO COSTA RICA June 2009
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__**Resources and Tips for planning travel with students:**__ [] [] [] See also the [|FLTeach Archives] for considerable discussion about planning for travel with students. Costa Rica packing list I share with my students for 3-week homestay: