The Cardinal

Deborah Varga, OWLA President 2025-2026
Spanish Teacher, McKinley Senior High School

I am writing this article as a letter of appreciation and gratitude for all of you who dedicate yourselves to continual professional development throughout your careers. Additionally, I am so lucky to be in a profession where I can use the skills that I teach my students in “the real world.”  

Over the years I have always wanted to pay forward all that this organization has given me as I have navigated my 31 years as a Spanish teacher in our state: lesson activities, innovative teaching styles, new technologies, empowering colleagues, global opportunities, and, most importantly, friendships.  I would not be writing this if it wasn’t for those of you who have been on this journey with me, and that is what I am most grateful for. I also reflect on so many amazing members of our organization that have passed on but are still in my memory, as they continue to be an inspiration to me for all they taught me during the many different stages of my career.

Nicola Work, OWLA President-Elect
Associate Professor of French, University of Dayton 

It’s almost summer (yay!) and another great OWLA year is winding down! After the official approval of our election results and a successful OWLA conference at Ohio Dominican University, it’s time to announce our Board Election results. I really want to thank all of our members for participating in the elections. But now, without further ado… here are the election results!

Kaleigh Baker, OWLA Editor for Electronic Media
Spanish Teacher, Covington High School

The end of the school year always brings lots to do both professionally and personally, especially if you also have school-aged children in addition to those in your classroom! If you are like me, one of the things that gets shoved off the plate is Spanish Club. My officers have senioritis, and between state testing and all of the other interruptions, Spanish Club is just not a priority.

Fortunately, this year I found a colleague in a neighboring district who is willing to share her wonderful ideas, and in addition to a few of my own, I have a few end-of-the-year activities for Spanish Club that are easy to implement with little to no prep—just a quick purchase at Amazon or Walmart!

Inviting World Languages to the Translanguaging Table

Megan Frate, OWLA Membership Chair
Spanish Teacher, Westerville City Schools

We all know the golden rule: maintain the target language 90% of the time during instruction. Some teachers take this immersive approach with admirable confidence and careful implementation. Others ebb and flow with their target language use in class, navigating the tension between “pure” immersion and the reality of the room.  

But how do other language classrooms operate? In many bilingual schools and English Language Learning spaces, teachers have moved away from strict language separation and adopted translanguaging practices in their classrooms.

Alexis Blum, OWLA Professional Development Chair
Spanish Teacher, Wapakoneta High School

What a year, OWLA! It is hard to believe we are at the end of another school year. Now is the time of year where we, as teachers, try to cram everything in and make sure we cover everything that we did last year. Not only are we working in fast mode, but we are also battling field trips, spring events, awards ceremonies, and more. 

While it is easy to get caught up in the fast paced rush to the end, it is important to highlight our students’ success throughout the year. Our students have made incredible growth, and it is important to recognize their hard work! Both students and teachers have worked hard to get to where we are at the end of the year.