Roslyn Terek, President
This Is Going to Be the Year!
Hi Everyone!
As the hot summer days changed slowly to the crisp days of fall, we teachers were preparing for the start of the 2012-13 academic year. Although we may teach at any of the K-16 levels, our focus changed from family activities, travel and relaxation. Instead, our thoughts moved to organizing classrooms, planning lessons and developing strategies to meet our students’ needs. At the Annual August OFLA Board Retreat, I sensed the anticipation of the new school year by all those in attendance. When I called the first meeting to order, I said, “Every now and again, a really great year comes along, and this is going to be the year. Aspire, Motivate, Dedicate, Realize.”
Aspire, Motivate, Dedicate, Realize
These four words will be my focus during my OFLA presidential year. I ask each of you to keep them in mind and to aspire to do great things this year. Motivate yourself and your students. Dedicate yourself to all you do. By doing so, you will realize successes.” As the meetings continued, we discussed a host of topics and directed our attention to how OFLA could best serve its members. With the adoption of the Ohio K-12 World Language Learning Standards, we know that one of the best ways to serve members is to offer outstanding opportunities for guidance in using the standards, professional growth and professional development.
For many years, OFLA has provided professional development opportunities by hosting regional summer workshops, a mini-fall conference and our annual spring conference. This year the first PD opportunity will be on October 20 at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Board member Lucas Hoffman will present the full-day workshop titled Making Sense of Writing. Once again, graduate credit will be available through Ashland University. Information and registration are available on the membership area of the OFLA website. All are welcome to attend!
Don’t Miss the 2013 Conference: MultiTasks, MultiSkills, MultiConnections
March 14-16, 2013
Our 2013 OFLA Conference is one you will not want to miss! In 2005, the OFLA Board agreed to host the joint 2013 CSC/OFLA Conference. What a great opportunity for OFLA members to enhance their professional expertise. And what a venue we will have! The spectacular Hilton Columbus Downtown, opening this fall, will be filled with language teachers from throughout the US for the conference to be held March 14-16, 2013. The upcoming event will be the 45th conference for the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the 5th time OFLA will host the event. Under the leadership of CSC Executive Director Patrick Raven, 2013 Program Chair Leann Wilcoxen and Local Program Chair Sarah Shackelford we are off to a great start!
The sessions that have been accepted cover a wide variety of topics for all teaching levels and include Activities and Strategies, Advocacy and Policy, Assessment, Content Areas, Culture, Curriculum and Articulation, Languages for Professions and Business, Professional Development, Research and Technology. There are two full day workshops, twenty-nine half day workshops and fifteen CSCTFL All Star Sessions and Workshops offered. I am so proud to say that many OFLA members will be presenting. Check out the details for all offerings at http://www.csctfl.org/conferences/2013conference.html.
Additionally, several Ohio chapters of the world language AATs will be hosting three gala events on Friday evening of the conference. Don’t be left out; remember that every now and again a really great year comes along, and this is going to be the year!
I hope that you had a successful opening to the school year, and I look forward to seeing you in Columbus at the conference!
The Cardinal 