Nicole Hanlon, OFLA Scholarship Chair
French Teacher, Buckeye Valley High School

As the newness of the school year begins to wear off, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming conference! OFLA offers two different scholarships to help introduce teachers to our annual conference as well as a grant for use in the classroom. Do you have former students currently studying to become a World Language teacher or do you know any Beginning Teachers who would benefit from attending OFLA?

If you know anyone who fits this criteria, please pass along the information so they can join us in April! Scholarship applications will go live soon and we look forward to welcoming new attendees to our conference!

University Student Scholarship

The intent of this scholarship is to give pre-service world language teachers the opportunity to experience the professional world of language teaching. This time spent with other experienced educators will give university students the chance to increase their capacity as future world language teachers, to network with other professionals, and to learn about the OFLA organization. The conference offers many sessions and workshops that will enhance the knowledge gained in the classroom and in student teaching.

Amount of the Scholarship: The amount awarded varies, but includes free registration to the conference and a VIP Scholarship Breakfast with the OFLA Board and lunch on Friday.

Requirements for the Application of the Scholarship:

• Be an active Student OFLA Member at the time of the application;
• Be in a world language teacher preparation program at a private or public Ohio institution;
• Complete an online application including: A 250-300 word essay explaining why world language education is the chosen profession;
• Complete two hours of assigned duties at the conference if requested. 
• Complete a reflection piece/review of your conference experience no later than May 1st, 2025. This piece will be shared with the board and has the potential to be published in The Cardinal. 

Beginning Teacher Scholarship

The intent of this scholarship is to give world language teachers in the first five years of their careers without the financial support of their school district the opportunity to experience the OFLA Conference. Time spent with other educators will give new teachers the chance to increase their capacity as world language teachers, to network with other professionals, and to learn about the OFLA organization. The conference offers sessions and workshops to enhance knowledge and practices gained in the classroom. Individuals are only permitted to receive this scholarship twice. 

Amount of the Scholarship: The amount awarded varies but includes free registration to the conference and a VIP Scholarship Breakfast with the OFLA Board and lunch on Friday.

Requirements for the Application of the Scholarship

• Be an active OFLA Member at the time of the application;
•  Be a world language teacher at a private or public Ohio institution;
• Complete an online application including: A 250-300 word essay explaining what you hope to take away from the conference if you attend. 
• Proof of the number of years you have taught. 
• Complete two hours of assigned duties if requested. 
• Write a reflection piece about how the various sessions attended have increased your capacity as a world language teacher to be given to the Scholarship Chair no later than May 1, 2025 and shared with the OFLA Board and/or published in The Cardinal. 

Teacher Grants

GUIDELINES FOR OFLA TEACHER GRANT

Eligibility: Any active member of the Ohio Foreign Language Association is eligible to apply for an OFLA Teacher Grant, except for those who serve on the selection committee.

Guidelines:

1. Proposed projects must lead to the development of materials that will be used in the foreign language classroom. They may include requests for travel, software, and equipment.
2. Proposals must reach the OFLA Scholarship Committee Chair by January 15, 2025.
3. Grantees must agree to present their materials in a session at the annual conference following the award or in an article for The Cardinal. They are encouraged to share their materials with other teachers through OFLA’s Instructional Materials Committee.

Funding:

1. The maximum amount to be awarded is $500 per person.
2. Grant recipients will receive 80% of the award in May of the year the grant is awarded and the remaining 20% upon completion of the final requirements, by the conclusion of the OFLA conference in the following year.

If you or someone you know has any questions about the scholarships or the Teacher Grant, please contact me at nhanlon@mybvls.org. 

Hope to see some new faces in April!