FLAVA August 2025 Presidential Message Rooted in Language Dear Members and Friends of FLAVA, I hope your summer has been restorative and that the new school year is off to a hopeful start. As we step into fall, I’m grateful for the many ways our community continues to connect, share, and lift one another up. Fall FLAVA Conference 2025: Rooted in Language
We can’t wait to gather in Norfolk this October for Rooted in Language. This theme reflects how our work as language educators grounds our students, our communities, and our professional practice. ✨ Stay tuned for an exciting keynote experience! This year, we are thrilled to feature a dynamic podcast-style panel discussion led by our very own Norah Jones with several distinguished voices in language education. More details will be revealed soon—you won’t want to miss it! ️ Nominations & Elections
Our nominations and election cycle is now open. I am pleased to officially welcome Ada Morley as FLAVA’s new Nominations Chair. Ada is a high school French teacher and Departmental Chair in Virginia Beach, and her experience and dedication make her a wonderful addition to our team as we move through the nominations and election process. Please join me in giving her a warm welcome and supporting her in this important role. I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to Thomas Sones for his outstanding service as our previous Nominations Chair. His contributions to FLAVA in so many areas are deeply appreciated, and we are grateful for his continued dedication to our organization. Deadline Update: All biographical information and nominations are now due September 5. This will allow sufficient time for our new Nominations Chair to prepare and publish candidate information on our website by September 9. Advocacy
August and September are especially busy months, but please take the time to make your voices heard for this year and the future. Education programs and funding are endangered at all levels, and your advocacy is crucial. -
Immediate concern: the World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants (WLARA) program, which supports multi-year grants for innovative world language programs at military-connected schools and DoDEA schools. Virginia K-12 schools in Hampton Roads and York County have greatly benefited from these grants; other districts with a strong military presence may benefit in the future. Please take five minutes to respond to JNCL’s call to action: Take Action and sign up to receive text alerts: JNCL Text Alerts. -
September is also a good month to make a plan to vote in the November elections. Early voting begins September 19. -
Make sure you’re registered: Citizen Portal, Virginia Department of Elections -
Learn about candidates and ask them about their views on public education, especially world languages and multilingualism. -
Check for local elections where you live. City councils, boards of supervisors, and school boards control education programs and funding. Lists of candidates: Candidate List -
If you are in House District 11, your special election is September 9; early voting is almost over. FLAVA Teacher Education Workshops 2025–2026
We have a phenomenal 2025–2026 lineup! Gracious thanks to Jen Carson, FLAVA Teacher Education Leader, for putting together these exciting sessions. Mark your calendars for free virtual professional learning throughout the school year! Each FLAVA Teacher Education Workshop delivers one hour of credit toward license recertification in an interactive, welcoming environment. -
Spanish for the Workplace: Partnering with CTE and Your Community – Olivia Exum, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 5:00 PM -
Using AI to Optimize “Special Person” Interviews – Taron Ware, Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 5:00 PM -
¿Cómo se dice? Language comprehension and running records in the target language – Stephanie Bellot-Donaldson, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 5:00 PM View the full 2025–26 lineup and register here ✨ Join the Membership Committee — Be the Spark!
Lisa Fore, Membership Chair, invites you to help FLAVA grow and thrive. If you love languages, culture, and building connections, consider serving on the FLAVA Membership Committee. Together we’ll welcome new colleagues, celebrate current members, and champion language learning across Virginia. Contact Lisa Fore at lfore@wcs.k12.va.us. AATG-VA Updates
Thanks to Dr. Marcel Rotter and colleagues at AATG-VA for their continued outreach and community building. Earlier this month, AATG-VA gathered for a regional social, “AATG-VA on the Road,” at Edelweiß Restaurant, Staunton — edelweissvirginia.com. Looking ahead, the Annual Immersion Weekend will be September 6–7 at the University of Mary Washington. Theme: Deutsch-Amerikanische Immigration im Deutschunterricht. More information: Immersion Weekend Details Resource Spotlight: National Museum of Language (NML) — Free OER
Dr. Dali Tan shares: The National Museum of Language celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through free online resources: www.languagemuseum.org Featured exhibits include: The Languages of Science, What Makes People Laugh?, Philogelos, The Power of Poetry, A Virtual Cruise to Puerto Rico, Sharing Our Stories, Dictionary of American Regional English, and Emerging American English in 1812. Speaker Series recordings are also available. Questions: info@languagemuseum.org With appreciation for all you do—as teachers, mentors, advocates, and colleagues—I’m excited for the year ahead and grateful to be rooted in this work with you. Warmly,
Eric Jaworski
President, FLAVA | 
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