OFLA Awards Call for Nominations

Martha E. Castañeda, OFLA President Elect

Do you know an outstanding teacher or administrator who is deserving of recognition from OFLA for their “above and beyond” contribution to the world language community in Ohio and beyond?  If so, nominate this well deserving teacher or administrator today!

The Ohio Foreign Language Association’s (OFLA) Awards Committee is accepting nominations for awards in the categories described below. December 2, 2014 is the deadline to submit the nomination form at http://www.ofla-online.org/index.php/awards/4-awards

OFLA member awards require nominee membership of the nominee, however administrator and Friend of World Language awards do not.  We recommend you obtain the individual’s agreement to be nominated and confirm the nominee’s OFLA membership. Awards require nominee curriculum vitae or resume, three letters of support, and documentation to support nomination. OFLA Awards Policies:

• There shall be no self-nomination for awards.
• To be considered for an OFLA member award, one must be a currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years (see exception below for a beginning teacher).
• Nominations can only be submitted by a currently active OFLA member who has been a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the the previous two years.

AWARDS FOR OFLA MEMBERS

Leona Glenn Awards for Outstanding World Language Teacher

Three awards: Elementary world language teacher; Middle School/Jr. High world language teacher; High School world language teacher

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• More than half-time in field

About LEONA GLENN

What is today the Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) was founded in 1962 as the Ohio Modern Language Teachers Association (OMLTA). Early in the 1960s, Leona Glenn, Ohio’s Foreign Language Supervisor, was convinced that the state’s foreign language teachers at all levels- elementary, secondary, and college- needed a professional forum that would have a pedagogical focus.  At the time, the language-specific organizations at the state level were heavily oriented to literature-based meetings, with scant attention to classroom techniques. With the help of a number of key foreign language teachers around the state, Ms. Glenn established the new OMLTA with the idea that foreign language teachers as a whole have many methods in common, and as a united group, would be more visible and influential in furthering the interests of the profession.  Ms. Glenn served as the first president for the academic year 1962-63 to get things underway, but she quickly got others involved.  She worked with OMLTA thereafter as advisor and willing helper for all sorts of tasks. Her tireless and energetic enthusiasm soon helped the fledgling OMLTA grow from a relatively few teachers meeting for a few hours on one day to a fully developed conference lasting two or three days by the end of the 1960s, with teachers from all parts of Ohio and beyond in attendance.  She established the pattern of holding the conference at different locations in Ohio that still holds true today.

Ed Allen Award for Outstanding College World Language Instructor

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• More than half-time in field at the post-secondary level

About ED ALLEN

The foreign and second language education program at OSU is the oldest program of its type in the United States, having been started in 1967 by the late Professor Edward D. Allen, emeritus faculty member.  Ed Allen was a mentor to many future world language teachers who have had a lasting impact on language teaching, programs, and students.  The award was named to honor him for his many contributions.

Distinguished Career Award

Requirements:

• OFLA member for at least 3 years
• Retired world language educator
• Exceptional cumulative career teaching, service and/or other language-related accomplishments
• Outstanding teacher
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA

Beginning Teacher Award

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member
  • Teachers with 1-2 years experience, must have been an OFLA member for at least 1 year
  • Teachers with 3-5 years experience, must have been an OFLA member for at least 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• 5 years or less of teaching experience at all levels—K-16
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• More than half-time in field

Outstanding Professional Service Award

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• More than half-time in field
• More than 5 years of teaching experience

Outstanding teacher Award for Less Commonly Taught Languages

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• Program in existence at least three years
• More than half-time in field teaching a Less Commonly Taught Language

Community Service Award

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Carries world language news/message/inspiration beyond the school or school system
• Outstanding public relations
• More than half-time in field

Outstanding World Language Technology Award

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• Innovative use of technology in world language education
• More than half-time in field

Publications Award

Requirements:

• A currently active OFLA member and a member for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Outstanding teacher
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• Outstanding professional publications
  • Refereed journal
  • Pedagogical book
  • Editorial services
  • Materials for student use
• Candidates should have contributed in quality and quantity to more than one category.
• More than half-time in field

Outstanding Program Award

May be awarded to an Elementary–Secondary Level and/or to a College-University Level program.

Requirements:

• Currently active OFLA members and a majority of who have been members for at least 3 years, of which 2 must have been in the previous 2 years
• Program that goes far beyond normal world language education activities
• Program that has some unique distinction
• Program that involves a group of educators
• Outstanding teachers
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
• Program in existence at least three years

AWARD CATEGORIES FOR NON-OFLA MEMBERS

Outstanding Administrator in Support of World Language Award

Requirements:

• Administrator in school or school district
• Strong support of world language
• Recommended by world language teacher in that system

Educator Friend of World Languages Award

Requirements:

• Non-world language educator
• Exceptional support of world languages
• Recommended by world language teacher in that system

Non-Educator Friend of World Languages Award

Requirements:

• Non-educator
• Exceptional support of world languages
• Recommended by world language teacher in that system

http://www.ofla-online.org/index.php/awards/4-awards