In This Issue

🌷Spring 2026 Edition 🌷


From the Executive Board

A Heart Full of Gratitude
Deborah Varga, President

OWLA Election Results
Nicola Work, President-Elect

ASL Deaf Immersion High School Trip
Jane Sevacko, Executive Vice President

The Ripple Effect: How Five Ohio Educators are Changing Everything
Megan Brady, Immediate Past President

Bridging Generations: How Retired Teachers Can Continue to Help the Profession
Teri Wiechart, Parliamentarian & Bylaws Chair

The Real Value of Language Learning
Lauren Shaffer, Executive Recorder & Editor of The Cardinal

Translanguage or Target Language?
Megan Frate, Membership Chair

Spanish Club Ideas with Minimal Prep
Kaleigh Baker, Editor for Electronic Media

Celebrating Big and Small Wins in the Classroom
Alexis Blum, Professional Development Chair

2026 Scholarships and Raffle Recap
Nicole Hanlon, Scholarship Chair

Planning a Trip Abroad with Children
Jonathan Harris, Early Language Learning Chair

Proficiency Activities During State Testing
Megan Helgeson, Beginning Teacher Chair


Affiliate & Partner Highlights

National German Exam Results 2026
Darlene Lyon, AATG

Language Advocacy Days: The Impact of Having Your Voice Heard
Alondra Pacheco, AATSP

Exploring the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages: Cultures
Elisa Kirschhoffer, Idioma Education & Consulting

Around the State
Ryan Wertz, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce


OWLA Member Voices

Ohio’s “Copperhead Conspiracy” to Kill President Lincoln Ran Through Quebec
Dr. Roger W. Anderson

The Influence of a Teacher
Tricia Becker

Empowering Future Teachers
Rebecca Chism

Central States Conference 2027
Beth Hanlon

How to Fund the AAPPL
Chris Lemon

I Love My Job Again!
Megan Robinson

“Disrupting Class”: Summer Reading for Ohio World Language Educators
Steven Sacco

Building Language Proficiency by Building Software
Kyle Young