Important Legislative Changes: Elementary Licensure and PBIS Training

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Barbara A. Sposet, Ph.D.
Chair, Teacher Education & Licensure Committee
Baldwin Wallace University

“The Only Constant is Change” – Heraclitus, Greek philosopher
Changes affecting both EPP’s (Education Preparation Providers or Teacher Education Programs) and in-service teachers were announced in late August by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE). They include a change in licensure grade band levels and a change in teacher preparation/school district requirements.

Sentate Bill 216 will change the current PK3 license to a PK5 license effective fall, 2020. All other licensure grade bands (e.g., 4-9; 7-12 and PK12) will remain the same. Currently PK3 Continue reading →

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AATG OHIO FALL CONFERENCE 2018

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Julie Schonauer, New Philadelphia High School/AATG Ohio President,

EINLADUNG
Werte KollegInnen!
Eure Ohio AATG lädt alle Mitglieder und Interessenten zu einem eintägigen Treffen mit
dem Thema Entdeckungsreise deutscher Wurzeln in Ohio im Herbst herzlich ein. Wir
möchten euch bitten, den deutsch-amerikanischen Tag am Samstag 6. Oktober 2018 frei Continue reading →

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Mary Townsend, ODE Master Teacher, French Teacher, Kettering Fairmont High School

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

KETTERING FRENCH TEACHER WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Mary Townsend, ODE Master Teacher, French Teacher, Kettering Fairmont High School

Mary Townsend, French teacher at Kettering Fairmont High School, was recently named recipient of the Valette / American Association of Teachers of French Legacy Award. This Continue reading →

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AROUND THE STATE

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Ryan Wertz and Kathy Shelton, World Language Consultants, Ohio Department of Education

We would like to begin by welcoming everyone back for the 2018-2019 academic year. It’s shaping up to be an important year for world language educators here in the Buckeye State. Here’s a summary of all the state-level initiatives taking place in Ohio this year:

Professional Development
Before the new school year ever began, more than one hundred K-12 world language educators attended a workshop that ODE world language consultants held at the Ohio Department of Agriculture facilities in Columbus. Over the course of two days, our team led sessions on Implementing Backward Design, the 3 Modes of Communication, IPAs and Cultural Resources, Writing IPAs, the Ohio Model Curriculum for K-12 World Languages, the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements for both Communication and Intercultural Competence, Using the ODE Rubrics to Score Writing Samples, Teaching Grammar in Context, and Target Language Strategies (Thanks to OFLA Past-President Beth Hanlon for leading that last one!). Feedback from the workshop was very positive, and given the popularity of the event, we are already thinking about workshop possibilities for summer 2019. Stay tuned! Continue reading →

Posted in Around the State, Cardinal, Fall 2018, General, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hello again, Beginning Teacher (and Veteran Teacher) Tribe!

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Nicole Hanlon, OFLA Beginning Teachers Chair
French Teacher, Buckeye Valley High School

Fall is officially upon us! With the changing in the colors of the leaves and the arrival of boots, scarves, and cooler weather comes the season of DEVOLSON. DEVOLSON is an acronym invented by the teacher blogger Love, Teach and stands for “Dark and Evil Vortex of Late September, October, and November.” The name is kind of funny, but, as Love, Teach mentions in her original 2012 blog on the subject, it stands for the time of the year where she finds that “teachers are the busiest, craziest, and, usually the saddest.” It’s easy to start the year full of energy and anticipation and riding on the high of the new year, but as September winds down and we start to relax into our routines, the demands of teaching and life can make us tired and the stress can start to pile up. Continue reading →

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BACK IN THE GROOVE: Autumn PD Updates

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Holly Haputa, Professional Development Chair, Spanish Teacher, Avon Lake High School

I hope you’ve had a smooth start to the year and have implemented something you took away from the Spring conference in Cleveland or one of our four 2018 summer professional development offerings!

Teacher-driven professional development continues to drive OFLA regional professional development. Do you have a personal expertise you could share with the membership? A fantastic classroom activity? A cool classroom hack? A life-saving tech tool? We are looking for you! OFLA is looking to expand online and onsite professional development opportunities.

If you have a presentation you’d like to contribute or if your district is interested in hosting OFLA Regional Professional Development, please contact me at hollyhaputa@gmail.com

Posted in Fall 2018, General, Professional Development, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

CALL REVIEW: LYRICS TRAINING, FORVO, EDPUZZLE, & QUIZLET

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Derek Braun, OFLA/TESOL Liaison, Columbus City Schools, ELL Science Teacher

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) can be an excellent tool for any language teacher. It enables students to continue lessons outside of the classroom and can increase engagement by providing game-like activities and introducing students to authentic materials. This article will review several different websites and apps that every language teacher should know about. A summary and the pros and cons of the follow digital resources will be reviewed; Lyrics Training, Forvo, Edupuzzle, and Quizlet. Continue reading →

Posted in Affiliates, Fall 2018, General, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tips to Advocate for Languages in your Building

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

By Angela Gardner, OFLA PR and Advocacy Committee Chairperson, Spanish Teacher, Ross High School

With a new school year already underway, language educators can start gearing up their program recruitment and advocacy efforts early on to maximize their reach. If you’re new to the education profession or looking for ways to enhance your program, here are some tips to support your efforts to recruit students and to celebrate the benefits of language learning in your building.

Tip 1: Grab your camera

Snap photos of your smiling, engaged students at every opportunity: during your best TPR activities, dancing activities, the crafty moments, the food events, club and service activities, honor society initiations, and more. Post these photos, and corresponding event Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Fall 2018, General, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Germany Reflection

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

Staley Heiby
High School Student, OFLA Scholarship Winner (photos submitted by the author have parental permission)

 

My trip to Heidenheim, Germany was the experience of a lifetime. I was so fascinated by the workings of another culture. If there’s one thing I learned that was most surprising and that was how friendly German people are. Not the fallacy filled friendship experienced in America, but a different kind. They are fabulous entertainers and the best of friends with the ones they truly care for. I went to house parties and events during my stay with my host family. It was quite eye-opening to see life outside of my simple world. Continue reading →

Posted in Fall 2018, General, Scholarships, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A WEEK OF LANGUAGE TEACHER BOOT CAMP: Organic World Language Summer Boot Camps

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Cardinal Editor

David McDonie, French Teacher, Chillicothe City Schools

Over the past three summers, I have had the privilege of attending Organic World Language (OWL) summer boot camps, both as a participant and as a facilitator. This summer I joined a group of curious and motivated educators from across the country in Alexandria, MN to spend a week learning how to become better teachers and how to make our students the center of our classroom..

The theme of the week was ROOAR, which stood for Roots, Open, Overcome, Authentic, and Risk-taking. We spent two days with the Roots theme, because the foundation of our practice is two-fold. First we build relationships with our students. We have fun, we love on them, and we create a community. The first day of the Boot Camp aims to create an Continue reading →

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