Nominations for OFLA Awards

Mark W. Himmelein, OFLA Immediate Past President
Professor of German, University of Mount Union

The Ohio Foreign Language Association’s (OFLA) Awards Committee is accepting nominations for awards in the categories described below.  Completed nominations, including a nomination letter, curriculum vitae or resume, letters of support, and additional support documentation, are due by December 15, 2023.  Nominations must be submitted online here: https://forms.gle/BA55gwnkvdD8PLZt8

Only complete nominations will be reviewed. Questions regarding OFLA awards and the nomination process should be directed to Mark Himmelein at himmelm@mountunion.edu.

General Award Requirements:

Nominees must be current OFLA members, although administrator and friend of world language awards do not require OFLA membership. OFLA recommends that the nominator obtain the individual’s agreement to be nominated and confirm their OFLA membership. A complete nomination requires completion of the electronic nomination form, the nominee’s curriculum vitae or resume, three letters of support, and documentation to support the nomination.

OFLA Awards Policies:

Self nominations are not permitted. To be considered for an OFLA member award, one must be a currently active OFLA member and a member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years (exceptions to this rule are made for the Leona Glenn and Beginning Teacher Awards). OFLA board and committee members are not eligible for an award that is related to their current service to the OFLA board. Nominations can only be submitted by a currently active OFLA member who has been a member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years.

OFLA Awards:

LEONA GLENN AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHER

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

• An active OFLA member for at least five years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
• Outstanding educator
• Demonstrated a minimum of ten years of successful classroom experience in world language teaching
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
• More than half-time in teaching a world language

ED ALLEN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COLLEGE WORLD LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR

• An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
• Outstanding educator
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
• More than half-time in field at the post-secondary level

DISTINGUISHED CAREER AWARD

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

BEGINNING TEACHER AWARD

• A currently active OFLA member
• educators with 1-2 years’ experience, must have been an OFLA member for at least one year
• Educators with 3-5 years’ experience, must have been an OFLA member for at least two years
• Outstanding educator
• five years or less of teaching experience at all levels, K-16
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• More than half-time in teaching a world language

OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD

• An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
• Outstanding educator
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
• Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
• More than half-time in teaching a world language
• More than five years of teaching experience

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

• An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
• Outstanding instructor
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
• Carries world language news/message/inspiration beyond the school or school system
• Outstanding public relations
• More than half-time in teaching a world language

THERESA MINICK WORLD LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION AWARD

• An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
• Outstanding educator
• 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 teaching a world language

PUBLICATIONS AWARD

• An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
• Outstanding educator
• Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
• Outstanding professional publication(s) related to world language education, for example:
  • 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.

• Currently active OFLA members, the majority of whom have been members for at least three years, of which two 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 educators
• Innovative contributions to world language teaching
• Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
• Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
• Program has been in existence at least three years

OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR IN SUPPORT OF WORLD LANGUAGE AWARD

• Administrator in school or school district
• Strong support of world languages
• Recommended by a world language educator in that system

EDUCATOR FRIEND OF WORLD LANGUAGES AWARD

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

NON-EDUCATOR FRIEND OF WORLD LANGUAGES AWARD

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