September FLAVA Presidential Message Dear Members and Friends of FLAVA, With the rhythm of fall now upon us, I hope you’re settling into a productive and fulfilling time with your students, colleagues, and families. I am filled with excitement as we approach the FLAVA 2024 Conference, scheduled for October 10-12 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. The theme, “Navigating a Changing World with Languages,” promises an enriching experience filled with opportunities for networking, professional development, and ready-to-use classroom ideas. With the Early Bird Registration deadline approaching on October 5, I encourage those who haven’t registered yet to secure your spot soon! We’ve seen a fantastic response, with registrations coming in daily. Our hotel rooms filled quickly, prompting us to request additional rooms in our block—a wonderful sign of enthusiasm for the conference! Please note that the deadline for hotel reservations in our block is September 25, so don’t delay. Our Plenary Sessions will kick off with the Opening Session on Thursday from 12:30-1:15 PM. Be sure to join us for Plenary II: Awards and Keynote Address by Dr. L.J. Randolph Jr. on Friday at 9 AM. Dr. Randolph’s presentation, ‘Languaging as an Act of Abolition, Liberation, and Joy,‘ will inspire us to reimagine our classrooms as spaces of empowerment and joy through language education. For more details, you can view the full conference program [here]. We are also seeking volunteers to help make this conference a success. Whether it’s assisting at the registration desk, collecting meal tickets, or lending us a projector, your contributions make a huge difference. If you’re willing to help, please sign up [here], and if you’d like to be a projector patron, complete the form [here]. Thank you so much for considering this! On an important note, federal education funding is in jeopardy, and it’s crucial for us to stay informed and take action. The JNCL-NCLIS provides summaries of funding negotiations in its Newsroom, where you can also sign up for email notifications. Although funding for FY25 is unlikely to be finalized until after the November elections, now is the time to make our voices heard. The House appropriations bill for the Department of Education (H.R. 9029) proposes the elimination of 17 education programs, including Title III for English Language Education. Millions in funding for international education programs in higher education have also faced cuts. For complete details, please refer to the JNCL-NCLIS summary. While the Senate bill does not threaten these programs, it has yet to restore funding for the World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants (WLARA) to the original $15 million in the Defense budget. These grants have greatly benefited K-12 schools in Hampton Roads and York County, including my own division, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, where students and teachers are currently benefiting from these vital resources. It’s essential that we advocate for their continuation to support all districts with strong military presences. What Can You Do? Head over to JNCL’s Advocacy Center to use their templates and send messages of support. Your message regarding education funding will go to your Representative, while the WLARA message will reach our Senators. Remember, early voting has already begun in Virginia. Your vote matters—ask candidates about their positions on these critical issues and make your voice heard! Mark your calendars for free virtual learning with FLAVA throughout the 2024-25 school year! Join your fellow educators for learning that meets your needs. Each FLAVA Teacher Education Workshop delivers one hour of credit toward license recertification in an interactive, welcoming environment. Nationally recognized presenters engage and inform on a variety of topics and offer ideas and resources that you can use right away in your classroom. Register individually for each session using the links below. Upcoming Workshop:
ACTFLize: Practical Tips and Tools for Proficiency-aligned Teaching – Taron Ware
Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 5:00 PM
[REGISTER HERE] When we focus on what students can do with language, we break down barriers and open up a world of student-focused communicative possibilities in our classrooms. In this workshop, we will briefly review the concept of proficiency-aligned language teaching and examine practical ways to place this mindset at the forefront of our instructional design. Participants will leave this session equipped with a proficiency-centered toolkit of practical ideas, as well as tangible takeaways for immediate implementation in the classroom. I look forward to seeing all of you at the conference and am eager to meet each of you face-to-face. Please feel free to stop by and say hello when you see me around! With warmest regards, Eric Jaworski
President, FLAVA | 
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