Reflect, Reconnect, Refresh, Re-Energize:
Embracing the Season of Renewal
Dear NYSAFLT Colleagues,
Spring has officially arrived in New York—and while the thermometer might still be indecisive, the energy in our classrooms is anything but. We can feel the shift in our students’ spirits as the days lengthen, and as world language educators, we find ourselves at that familiar, bustling crossroads of the academic year.
In the spirit of the season, I’ve been thinking often about four words that define our path forward: reflect, reconnect, refresh, and re-energize.
The end of the school year is a natural time to reflect on our teaching practices. It’s an opportunity to look back at the moments of breakthrough in our classrooms and the challenges that pushed us to grow. More importantly, it is a time to reconnect with what truly matters—the passion for language and culture that brought us to this profession in the first place and the community of educators that sustains us.
To keep that passion alive, we must take the time to refresh our “teacher toolboxes” and re-energize our spirits. NYSAFLT is proud to offer two incredible opportunities to do just that:
2026 Summer Institute (August 3–6): First Vice President Mike Lauria has been working tirelessly to plan an incredible virtual week-long conference. It is the ultimate way to pick up new strategies and insights while poolside or in the comfort of your own home.
2026 Annual Conference (October 16–17): President-Elect Alexis Thornton and the AC Planning Committee are currently evaluating a wealth of session proposals to build an unforgettable experience in Albany. The incomparable Meredith White will be the keynote speaker.
As you navigate the final stretch of the school year, I hope you find moments to breathe, celebrate your successes, and look forward to a summer of renewal. I can’t wait to see how we all use this season to grow.
Warmly,
Wendy
2026 NYSAFLT President
NYSAFLT Event Calendar
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.
