Workshop Descriptions
The FLAVA Workshop Series has gone virtual! Take a look below to learn about our upcoming workshops. Then register here. You will receive an emailed link to the Zoom session before the workshop.
Food, Family, and Language: A Project-Based Assessment
With Lisa Fore, Spanish Teacher at Abingdon High School
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (430PM – 530PM) via Zoom
Everyone eats. Everyone has recipes, stories, and flavors to share. Food opens doors and can bring people together to learn from one another; and we can learn and understand a lot about the geography and culture of a country through their plates and traditional recipes. The areas in which families live and where their ancestors originated influence the dishes, resulting in patterns of food choices within a cultural or regional group. Trying to understand geography through food leads to asking questions and learning well beyond the culinary process- beyond the ingredients, why it is called a certain way, or how it is made. Food plays an important role in the lives of families. It is a way of connecting with the family and traditions as well as connecting cultures and families to one another. In this session, Ms. Fore will share how she incorporates food, family, and language as an end of course assessment and how learning goals can be modified to include the seven essential project design
elements of a Gold Standard PBL opportunity.
Presenter Bio: Lisa Fore is a Spanish Teacher Abingdon High School and the World Language Liaison for Washington County. She has served as the Vice President of VOWLS, Virginia’s World Language Supervisors Association and currently serves the FLAVA Board as Chair of the Membership Commitee.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter @micofore
How to Engage (and Re-Engage) Students with Comprehensible and Compelling Input
With Claudia Elliott, Spanish Teacher (Jacksonville, Florida)
Monday, December 5, 2022 (430PM – 530PM) via Zoom
How can I keep my students engaged? That’s the million-dollar question. The reality is that a good game or activity can help momentarily to boost engagement, but it will not solve the problem. In this session, participants will discover how we can make our classes engaging authentically with content that is not only comprehensible but also compelling. The best part is that most of the strategies shared in this session are low prep so you can reclaim your time while keeping students willingly listening to you.
Presenter Bio: Claudia Elliott is a Spanish teacher in Jacksonville, Florida. She is the 2021-2022 Florida Foreign Language Association Teacher of the Year and the 2022 SCOLT Teacher of the Year. Claudia is also the founder of Growing With Proficiency where she helps World Language teachers to build comprehensible and communicative-driven classes.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter @claudiamelliott
Seamlessly Integrate Language, Culture and Content in Your World Language Class
With Dr. Dali Tan, Professor of Chinese and World Languages Discipline Group Chair at the Northern Virginia Community College
Thursday, January 12, 2023 (430PM – 530PM) via Zoom
The skills that world language teachers build and cultivate are a lot more than target language proficiency and cultural competencies. We also help students gain, reinforce and enhance knowledge and understanding of other school subjects through the use of target languages and perspectives of cultures. This integration of language, culture, and content helps us differentiate and personalize our instruction to engage all learners. The presenter will share her practical suggestions, effective strategies, and actionable insights as well as classroom examples to show how she has integrated language, culture, and content in her classes.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Dali Tan, Professor of Chinese and World Languages Discipline Group Chair at the Northern Virginia Community College. She was the 2021 FLAVA Teacher of the Year.
Creating an Inclusive Classroom
With Ada Morley, French Teacher in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Thursday, February 16, 2023 (430PM – 530PM) via Zoom
Learn how to create an inclusive environment into your classroom. Students feeling safe enough to show their true self is a difficult task, especially in today’s social and political climate. I will provide you with tips on how to create that environment where all students are included and able to express themselves and others while being respectful. You will learn how to normalize the use of inclusive writing/speaking and how to provide scaffolding for all students.
Presenter Bio: Ada Morley is a French teacher and World Language Department Lead in Virginia Beach. She is an early adopter of cutting edge educational initiatives including deskless classrooms, experiential learning, and non-binary language.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: @MmeMorley Twitter: @MmeMORLEY
@khsfrench (my class site) @KHSFrench1 (class page)
Motivation to Move through March
With Annabelle Williamson, Spanish Teacher at Morris Jeff Community School in New Orleans, Louisiana
Monday, March 13, 2022 (530PM – 630PM) via Zoom
March can feel like such a LONG month! In this workshop I’ll share strategies to motivate you to MOVE through March in a productive and JOYful way with your students! Prepare to be inspired!
Presenter Bio: Hi, My name is Annabelle, but I go by La Maestra Loca. I’ve been a teacher for 12 years. My approach to presenting and coaching is different because I am still in the classroom. I am a teacher JUST LIKE YOU! I love what I do and I focus on finding the JOY In teaching and facilitating language acquisition through Acquisition Driven Instruction every day. I thrive on empowering and inspiring teachers!
SOCIAL MEDIA: @lamaestraloca on all platforms
Getting Our Feet Wet…How to promote World Languages in our school, community and county
With Jenniffer Whyte, Spanish Teacher at The Donoho School in Anniston, Alabama
Tuesday, April 18, 2023(530PM – 630PM) via Zoom
In this discussion, teachers will receive tools, resources, and suggestions on how to start a community Spanish Club, an International Fair, and ideas on how to promote Heritage events such as a Black History Month program.
Presenter Bio: Jenniffer Whyte is a native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and has lived in the United States for over 20 years. She teaches Spanish at The Donoho School, a private school in Anniston, Alabama, where she teaches levels 1-3 in the high school and Pre-K and Kindergarten Spanish classes at the elementary school. Recognized for her enthusiasm and achievements, Jenniffer was selected as the 2021 Alabama World Language Association Teacher of the Year, and was subsequently selected as the SCOLT Regional Teacher of the Year. has also won the title of Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) Teacher of the Year Award. She was a finalist for the 2022 National ACTFL Teacher of the year. Jenniffer advocates for incorporating the African diaspora in World Language classrooms and her passion is to unite with educators to provide a racist-free, biased-free environment for all students and to empower students of color who need opportunities and help with getting their voices heard.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: Afro-Latina Teacher, Facebook group: Incorporating Afro Latino Culture in Spanish Classrooms. , Instagram-Afrolatinateacher, Twitter-JennifferWhyte1