Congratulations to the FLAVA 2022 Award Recipients

 

 

 

Christina Ballew, 2022 David Cox Award Recipient, Virginia K-12 World Language Teacher of the Year

 

 

Christina Ballew, German teacher at Menchville HS in Newport News, VA. Ms. Ballew is a self-directed, enthusiastic, and energetic foreign language educator of almost 15 years with a passionate commitment to youth development and the blended learning experience. In addition to teaching German I through AP, she has served as lead teacher, new language mentor, and German Honor Society sponsor for over 10 years. She is a Newport News world language professional development presenter and is a member of the division’s curriculum writing team. She has also served at the state level as a member of the Virginia Governor’s World Language Academies Selection Committee. In order to give students the most authentic experience in language learning and build their cultural competence, Ms. Ballew has taken five groups of students on trips abroad, the most memorable of which were the ones through Newport News’ chapter of the Sister Cities organization, which she piloted in 2014. Mrs. Ballew has also hosted large groups from Greifswald at Menchville HS bringing partnerships and connections to a global scale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Martha Davis, 2022 Marshall Brannon Award Recipient, Virginia Post-Secondary World Language Teacher of the Year

 

 

Dr. Martha Davis, professor of Spanish at Northern Virginia Community College. Dr. Davis received this distinction for her tireless commitment to her students and advocacy for world languages at NOVA and beyond. Dr. Davis has been teaching students to speak Spanish in the classrooms of Northern Virginia Community College since 2008. Dr. Davis strives to instill in them a sense of wonder, curiosity about the world and empathy for others.Her students describe her as kind, patient, helpful, positive, encouraging, not only an amazing professor, but also a wonderful friend. Her colleagues describe her as inspiring, forward-thinking, innovative, talented, visionary.

She has served as Chair of the NOVA world languages faculty and on the Liberal Arts Council and organized a chapter of the Spanish honor society at NOVA and serves as its faculty advisor. Dr. Davis’s outstanding leadership skills, passion, dedication, and contributions to the field of world language education have earned her great respect and admiration from colleagues and students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lily Goetz, 2022 Helen Warriner Burke Award Recipient, FLAVA Distinguished Service Award Winner

 

 

Dr. Lily Goetz, professor of Spanish and coordinator for teacher preparation in modern languages & ESL at Longwood University. A FLAVA member since 1977, Dr. Goertz’ career has been marked by service to this organization as well as numerous others of which she has been a part. She has been a leader of professional organizations and at the university, she has facilitated countless conference presentations, and has published research articles which have contributed to scholarship in the field. Dr. Goetz has contributed significantly to prepare generations of student-teachers; so many students have discovered their true potential and passion for teaching after taking Dr. Goetz’s teaching licensure classes. Consistent with her firm belief that experiences abroad and the practice of the language in an authentic and meaningful cultural context are the cornerstone of the educational journey for Spanish students, Dr. Goetz pioneered the creation of the study abroad program in Spain and ensured its successful execution for almost two decades. She is described by her colleagues as a dedicated steward, fierce defender, and staunch supporter of modern languages at the university and in the community. A true teacher of teachers, Dr. Goetz has ensured that language education has a bright future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chesterfield Education Foundation, Friend of FLAVA Award Recipient

 

Chesterfield Education Foundation. Over the course of two decades, and with a variety of leaders at the helm, CEF has continued to recognize those tireless world language educators and community members who seek to provide high quality language experiences to K-12 students in Chesterfield County. CEF has funded three language awards for over twenty years: The Jane J. Baskerville Award for Excellence in Teaching World Languages, The Jane J. Baskerville Community Award, and The Jane Crouch Rieder Award. The teaching awards recognize world language teachers whose outstanding teaching practices and contributions to the field have provided significant, positive impact beyond their classrooms. The Community award is given to community members who have provided a lasting impact and/or support to language programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holly Fitterer, FLAVA Novice Teacher Award Recipient

 

Ms. Holly Fitterer, a Latin teacher at Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Ms. Fitterer exemplifies innovation, adaptivity, and dedication in the classroom. She has had a teaching position in Latin levels 1-4 where she has taught classes in person, hybrid, and virtual at six different schools.She is constantly searching for ways to expand her knowledge of teaching and the Latin language through any opportunity that she can find for her and her students. She applied for and received the Bostick Award from SCOLT, which is awarded to à new teacher from the state of Virginia and included a paid grant to attend the conference this past spring. Last fall, she organized and orchestrated an opportunity for all students in Spotsylvania County to come to Riverbend HS to log in to the annual Latin convention. Her passion and enthusiasm in Latin and her desire to bring this to her students in and outside of the classroom is commendable. A colleague has the following to say: “What I have been most impressed with regarding Ms. Fitterer is her ability to embrace the role of teacher with enthusiasm and true joy in working with her colleagues and her students. Her joy in teaching has given me a breath of fresh air in my own career and I can honestly say that mentoring her has made me a better educator.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Wilson, FLAVA University Student Recognition