Julie Frye, OFLA Membership Chair
French Teacher, Lexington High School French

Oh là là! The membership speaks and the OFLA board listens! You want Professional Development during the summer break and you want it in various regions throughout the state-That is exactly what we are bringing to you. I hope you have been receiving the emails promoting our PD offerings taking place around Ohio this summer. Each event promises to be energizing, educational and beneficial to your students (and YOU) when you return for the 2018-19 school year.

But wait, there’s more! Did you know OFLA offers a number of awards, grants & scholarships each year, which we distribute at our annual conference? We currently offer 9 award categories for OFLA members, as well as 4 categories for non-members. It’s not too early to start thinking about nominating a deserving colleague (or asking someone to nominate you). Awards & scholarships are available to members, university students, and new-to-the-classroom teachers, and those more experienced who may be searching for a way to immerse themselves in the culture of their target language. All of the info can be found at our website, ofla-online.org.

What’s that? You want more? How about getting involved in OFLA board activities by becoming a committee chair? If you’re not ready for that, consider answering the call to serve as a committee member. We welcome fresh minds, eyes and ears from every corner of Ohio.

And then there is always the Cardinal publication as a benefit of membership. If you are doing something wonderful in your classroom, please share. If you need a new idea (or two…or three…) this is the place to find it.

In addition to all the previously mentioned advantages of membership, once you are an active, dues-paying member of OFLA, you can also sign up for our LISTSERV. As we begin to share excitement about the Seal of Biliteracy, you may find questions answered and opinions shared via this service.

In 2019, OFLA will host a joint conference with our Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) brothers and sisters. The event, Breaking Barriers Building Bridges, Promoting Performance, will be held in Columbus and promises to be an extraordinary time of learning, networking and expanding your professional horizons.

So, as you can see, we offer full-service, year-round Professional Development. It’s just up to you to decide which ones are right for you! Have a fantastic summer & do yourself some good by attending one or more of our offerings & events. À la prochaine (until next time!)…