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Finding Our Center in the Capital

As I sit here writing my final article of this Presidential year of NYSAFLT, I find myself reflecting on the idea that every bridge leads somewhere—and next year, ours leads back to the capital. This has truly been a momentous year for NYSAFLT. Together, we were able to CAPITALize on our collective energy and surpass our goal of $100,000 for the NYSAFLT 100K for 100 Years John D. Carlino Legacy Fund. Our incredible Annual Conference, held at the historic Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel, was organized to perfection by our President-Elect, Wendy, and brought us back to the capital region for another unforgettable AC! At that conference, we had the honor of presenting the very first Novice Teacher Award, named in honor of our beloved Harriet Barnett, to Zoey Baird—an educator who truly exemplifies what it means to build BRIDGES as she travels abroad with her students.

New York’s language educators span regions, dialects, and languages, yet what binds us together is our shared pathway as we embrace the DIGITAL REVOLUTION and new pedagogical strategies. It is not always smooth SAILING, but we continue to work together, learn together, and celebrate together. As I transition into my role as President-Elect, I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you. We will keep building new BRIDGES and pathways, supporting one another as we strengthen the foundations that form the bedrock of our profession—and find our center once again in the capital.

(Kudos to anyone who caught all my nods to past conferences!)

Alexis Thornton

2025 NYSAFLT President

NYSAFLT Event Calendar

John Carlino

Following the passing of our beloved friend, esteemed leader and longtime Executive Director John Carlino in January 2022, the NYSAFLT Executive Team and Board of Directors continue to ensure that our organization is functioning efficiently. The NYSAFLT 100K for 100 Years John D. Carlino Legacy Fund remains the best way to honor John by making donations in his name. With this fund, NYSAFLT will remember John and his vision to financially support projects and help solve problems that language teachers and leaders face. As we move forward along the pathway that John paved, his legacy will forever live on with the NYSAFLT 100K for 100 Years John D. Carlino Legacy Fund.

“John David Carlino obituary.” The Buffalo News, February 5, 2022.

Annual Conference

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Virtual Workshops

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Leadership Initiative for Language Learning (LILL)

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Student Excellence Awards

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100K for 100 Years John D. Carlino Legacy Fund

When you donate to this fund, we hope you will remember the strong advocate, mentor, and friend John was to language teachers not only in New York but across the nation and beyond. We hope to continue to sustain NYSAFLT’s goals and activities to support language teachers and rise to their needs. Help us reach our goal of building a 100K sustaining fund to support our mission in the next NYSAFLT century!