SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Workshops and Presenters

Detailed Schedule

Monday, Aug. 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

1. CI Strategies for IB/AP and college-credit

Presenter(s): Sarah Hopper, Corning-Painted Post High School, NY

In this interactive presentation, we will discuss the power of picture talk, clip chat and one word whole image in advanced courses. The presenter will include many extension activities to help students boost scores and proficiency. Participants will be given a plethora of resources that will engage students and boost programs. They will learn how to make their own picture talks, clip chat extension activities and see a new way to do a One Word Image. All ideas are low-prep and easy to learn!

Monday, August 1, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

2. Using the World Readiness Standards to Address Implicit Bias

Presenter(s): Rhashida Hilliard, Horace Mann School, Bronx, NY

According to Psychology Today, bias is a tendency, inclination or prejudice toward or against someone or something. Implicit bias means being unaware of these prejudices. This session will allow participants to explore strategies to tackle bias to prepare globally competent language learners. Together, we will discuss the 5 C goal areas and World Readiness Standards as they apply to world language classrooms. We will also identify and share strategies for addressing biases and stereotypes using the 11 World Readiness Standards, as well as create lessons/activities to address bias and promote cultural competence in the world language classroom.

Monday, August 1, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

3. Engaging Reluctant Learners in the Target Language Classroom

Presenter(s): Leslie Grahn, Clarksville, MD

This interactive webinar will focus on strategies and techniques for engaging reluctant learners in the language classroom and for supporting them to persevere in the target language environment through the use of scaffolds and supports. New insights provided will include ways to set up the classroom environment to support reluctant learners and strategies for lesson planning to increase student engagement. Participants will practice enhancing lesson tasks they currently use with engaging reluctant learners in mind.

Monday, August 1, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

4. Opening reception

Presenter(s): Françoise Piron, South Jefferson CS, retired, Adams, NY
Come join us as we reflect on our first day of the summer institute and network with colleagues!

Tuesday, August 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

5. Update on the NYS World Language Standards Transition & Implementation

Presenter(s): Candace Black, NYSED – OBEWL

This workshop will present the resources and professional learning that have been developed since the adoption of the revised NYS Learning Standards for World Languages in March of 2021 and will lay out future developments in preparation for the implementation of those standards in September 2023. Educators will learn what they can expect to see from the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages in the coming years to support them and their students toward the goal of language proficiency. The role of the NYS Seal of Biliteracy as the culmination of Checkpoint C work will also be discussed.

Tuesday, August 2, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

6. Continued Conversations about Race in the World Language Classroom

Presenter(s): Dr. Angèle Kingué, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

As educators, we must address the crisis of structural racism. In this session, the presenter examines the most effective ways to have conversations about race and social justice in our classrooms, focusing on strategies to prepare students to interrogate and challenge misconceptions and untruths that lead to structural inequality. Dr. Kingué will propose her human-centered proficiency-based framework, which seeks to put questions of race and of being at the center of one’s teaching by designing activities that lead students through phases of deciphering, interrogating, and reconstructing to help them counter misconceptions and official narratives and build new connections. Participants will have opportunities to interact and share challenges and ideas for talking about race in their classrooms. Examples are in French, but the topic is applicable to all.

Tuesday, August 2, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

7. Total Participation Techniques for the Comprehension-based Classroom

Presenter(s): Lauren Fosnight, Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, PA

Total participation techniques (TPTs) “allow for all students to demonstrate, at the same time, active participation and cognitive engagement in the topic being studied” (Himmele & Himmele, 2017). This session will provide actionable strategies to help learners process the language intently, demonstrate their comprehension consistently, and interact confidently during input-driven instruction. Attendees will observe TPTs in action via recorded classes and then learn how these strategies can be adapted for different contexts and activity types. Finally, participants will reflect upon the necessary steps to build a strong foundation for TPTs and share successful practices and intentions for TPT use in their own classrooms.

Tuesday, August 2, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

8. Independent Exploration: Engaging Students Outside the Classroom

Presenter(s): Samantha Decker, Maple Avenue Middle School, Saratoga Springs, NY

Are you looking for ways to get your students to use their language outside the classroom? This workshop will walk participants through how to curate a library of resources for students to use and how to get students using them appropriately, as well as other ways to hook students into using their language and skills outside of class and with their friends and family. Participants will also have an opportunity to share their favorite resources.

Tuesday, August 2, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

9. Focusing the Lens: Analyzing and Strengthening Classroom Practices in a Proficiency-based Classroom

Presenter(s): Amanda Robustelli-Price, Glastonbury Public Schools, Glastonbury, CT

Did you switch to a proficiency focus in your classroom and are now looking to improve your practices? In this workshop, which is a follow-up to last year’s session, “Fresh Eyes: Seeing Work through the Lens of Proficiency,” we will: 1. Discuss and analyze our own paths to proficiency in the classroom 2. Talk over ways to “level” up our practice and student success through self-assessment, goal setting, differentiation, and the purposeful selection of tasks that match the proficiency levels of learners. All participants are welcome.

Wednesday, August 3, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

10. 90% Target Language Use – How do I do it?

Presenter(s):
Rebecca Aubrey, Timothy Edwards Middle School, South Windsor, CT
Helena Curtain, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (emerita), Milwaukee, WI

The use of the target language by teachers and students is essential to building communication skills. This begins with novice level students who can understand and produce language from day one. Many teachers, however, struggle with meeting ACTFL’s 90%+ target language recommendation, particularly with novice learners who have very little language to work with. Participants will leave this workshop with strategies to stay in the target language when interacting with their students. They will also gain insights to help students respond and interact with each other in the target language.

Wednesday, August 3, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

11. Teach Big Ideas, even with Small Words

Presenter(s): Chela Crinnion, Nightingale-Bamford School, New York, NY

Simplistic vocabulary can often constrain learning to concrete ideas. By reframing units with essential questions and powerful key words, teachers can maintain target-language instruction while inviting deeper learning. Even level one students can explore topics such as identity and diversity, luxury vs. necessity, and house vs. home. From icebreakers and bell-work prompts to more in-depth projects that connect to common unit themes, this session will equip you to “teach big ideas, even with small words.”

Wednesday, August 3, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

12. Engaging Strategies Using Authentic Materials across the Modes

Presenter(s): Erin Johnson, Penn Yan Academy, Penn Yan, NY

So often when we think about using authentic materials in our classes we have students doing an interpretive task while sitting in their seats. In this session the presenter will provide examples of strategies she uses with her students to get them interacting with easy to find (think real estate ads, recipes, etc) authentic materials. You will see how authentic resources can be used in the interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes. From gallery walks and scavenger hunts to partner activities and presentations, this session will give you ideas to keep your students engaged and will boost your use of authentic materials throughout all your units!

Wednesday, August 3, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

13. Can Do Statements: Keeping them Cozy and Comprehensible

Presenter(s):
Anna Domingo, West Islip High School, West Islip NY
Margaret Krone, Commack High School, Commack , NY

The Can-Do Statements are an invaluable tool in guiding our teaching and our students’ learning. Through this workshop we will show you how to use the statements in a way that makes them truly effective. We will showcase a variety of activities that will get your students talking and using the target language while also meeting their diverse needs as learners and leave you feeling cozy about their implementation! Activities presented will cover all three modes of communication and can be adapted to various levels.

Wednesday, August 3, 4:00–5:00 p.m

14. Social hour

Presenter(s): Françoise Piron, South Jefferson CS, retired, Adams, NY
Come play some games where we “weave it all together!”

Thursday, August 4, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

15. Performance Tasks and Rubrics for Standards-based Instruction

Presenter(s):
Bill Heller, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY
Dr. Joanne O’Toole, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY

What is a performance task? How can performance task designs facilitate the development of language proficiency? How can rubrics provide feedback and assessment of student performances? This session will consider these three questions by providing a research-informed framework and examples at three proficiency Checkpoints. Participants will collaborate in applying task design principles at a target proficiency level they choose. Participants will also consider the use of proficiency-based single point rubrics to assess learning and provide feedback.

Thursday, August 4, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

16. Teaching Thematically Leads to Creativity and Authenticity

Presenter(s): Michael LaPaglia, Kenmore West HS, Tonawanda, NY

Themes are great ways to realign your curriculum without reinventing the wheel. You don’t have to change what you do to align with the shift in the NYS Standards. The presenter will demonstrate how teaching thematically has led to student success and more creative teaching. The presenter will give practical examples from his experience teaching in the International Baccalaureate Program and provide lesson ideas that can be adapted to any level. Examples will be given in Spanish.

Thursday, August 4, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

17. Cultural Connections: an Insider’s View into Senegal

Presenter(s): Ariane Baer-Harper, Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, NH

In a time where connecting with others is easier than ever, World Language teachers have the possibility to teach culture in real time. In this session, participants will have the opportunity to learn an insider’s perspective about the daily lives of Senegalese students and all that this vibrant West African country has to offer. In addition, participants will discover creative ways to make Senegalese culture come alive in the classroom and interactively to connect students to the larger francophone world.

Thursday, August 4, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

18. Revitalize Reading with Visual Literacy

Presenter(s): Beth Slocum, Genesee Valley Boces, Pavilion, NY

Are you leveraging the power of language learning to strengthen literacy skills across the content areas? Visual literacy is about language, communication and interaction. Participants will examine the power of ideas and images in targeted literacy instruction.

The presenter will share picture books, stories in L1 and L2 and story asking techniques to bring the stories to life. Participants will explore the doodle as a powerful technique for language acquisition. In addition to visual literacy strategies, the presentation utilizes key elements from the Writing Revolution (aka the Hochman Method) to
promote effective writing strategies that are applicable across all content areas.

Share big ideas with novice learners through the power of visual literacy.

Thursday, August 4, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

19. Harnessing the Power of Technology to Create a More Inclusive Classroom

Presenter(s): Maureen Lamb, Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford, CT

This workshop will help teachers to think about how to leverage the power of technology to create a more inclusive classroom climate. We will review how to create an effective organization system, to implement a continuous feedback loop, to give opportunities for student choice and personalized learning, to make task based learning for students, and to plan lessons that can work for both in person and hybrid learning situations. Participants will come away with activities and materials that they can use right away in their courses.

Thursday, August 4, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

20. Immersion hour

Presenter(s): Françoise Piron, South Jefferson CS, retired, Adams, NY

Come enjoy an hour of socializing, networking, and comparing professional notes in the language of your choice (other than English, of course!). Bring a non-member friend and introduce them to NYSAFLT!

Friday, August 5, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

21. Weaving LGBTQ+ Stories Into World Language Classrooms

Presenter(s): Joseph Parodi-Brown, Marianapolis Preparatory School, Thompson, CT

As language teachers work to ensure that their classrooms are places where all students feel welcomed, valued, and represented, teachers who do not share a minoritized identity often wonder how they can best honor and amplify those identities in respectful and authentic ways. This session will offer educators insight on appropriate ways to integrate LGBTQ+ voices, identities, and stories in their language classrooms in ways that are appropriate for students’ language levels and developmental levels.

Friday, August 5, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

22. Reaching High with Novice Low

Presenter(s): Jeri Gosier, Watertown CS, Watertown, NY

Teaching and learning have changed dramatically alongside generational shifts. Knowing students and reaching them where they are at while implementing tried and true language teaching methods can increase the success rate of all students. Through a combination of gamification, Comprehensible Input and repetition, Novice low learners gain confidence and usability in the target language. Examples using the revised NYS standards for immediate implementation will be provided as well.

Friday, August 5, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

23. Teaching Writing: Effective and Efficient Strategies that Enhance Learning

Presenter(s): Amy Pento, Liverpool High School, Liverpool, NY

Do you know good writing when you see it but aren’t sure how to break things down to help all students improve? Are you willing to incorporate more writing into your classes but don’t know where to start? Do you struggle with what to have students do while and after reading to help them understand? Do you worry about the time writing instruction takes away from teaching course content? In this workshop you will learn effective and efficient writing strategies that can be applied to any level, any language, any unit — tomorrow. These strategies will help students acquire skills that not only help them become better writers and thinkers but also aid reading comprehension while enhancing their knowledge of the content.

Friday, August 5, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

24. Planting the Seeds of Proficiency in the Elementary Classroom

Presenter(s): Joshua Cabral, Brookwood School, Manchester, MA

Is it possible to foster proficiency in elementary language classrooms, regardless of the time we have with students? Absolutely. Elementary learners are successful when language instruction is aligned with principles of child development. Proficiency and acquisition are productive and effective in classroom communities that make learners feel safe, valued and successful, while also enjoying the learning and engaging in play. How do we ensure that language growth and increased proficiency remain the goal as well? In this workshop, you will learn about procedures, routines and activities that provide a supportive classroom environment that focus on authentic communication and increase proficiency.

Friday, August 5, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

25. UnCon and Share-out – LIVE ONLY

Presenter(s): Françoise Piron, South Jefferson CS, retired, Adams, NY

What have we learned? In this last hour, we will reflect together on what we have learned and how we plan to implement our new skills in our classrooms. NYSAFLT leadership will present an update on professional offerings in New York State and beyond, and we will share a brief slideshow of the highlights of the week.

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Presenters:

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Rebecca Aubrey, the 2019 ACTFL World Language Teacher of the Year, teaches Spanish in South Windsor, Connecticut. With over 15 years in Spanish instruction in the K-8 setting, and 20 years of experience at the college level, Rebecca is also an active member of multiple World Language associations. Rebecca advocates for all students to have the opportunity to study another language and be prepared to live in a globalized world.

Ariane Baer-Harper is a school leader with over 20 years experience in international education. Most recently, Ariane has launched schools in West Africa and Europe as Founding Head of School. Prior to this, Ariane was a world language teacher (French/Spanish/ESL) for over twenty years, IB Coordinator, Assistant Head of School, and Director of Global Education. All these roles have helped to fuel her passion for creating a positive school culture and broadening schools’ global IQ.

 

Candace Black is the World Language Associate at OBEWL-NYSED. She has a B.A. in French from SUNY Potsdam and both an M.B.A./M.A.T. from the University of Rochester. A National Board-Certified Teacher, Candace taught French for 21 years. She served as an officer of NYSAFLT and was the recipient of the President’s Award from both NYSAFLT and NYSAWLA in 2021. She was elected as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques by the French government.

 

Joshua Cabral has been teaching French and Spanish at the elementary and middle levels for 25 years. He presents workshops and consults with schools and districts throughout the country working toward building and improving proficiency-based programs. Joshua is passionate about access to education and also works closely with schools in Haiti and Nicaragua. He is also the host of the World Language Classroom Podcast.

Chela Crinnion teaches Spanish at The Nightingale-Bamford School in New York City. She holds B.A.s in studio art and Spanish, and an M.A. in Spanish, with a specialization in Latin American Studies. Chela has taught for more than twenty years, spanning middle school, high school, and university levels. Chela also works as a freelance photographer.

Dr. Helena Curtain, co-author of Languages and Learners: Making the Match (Pearson, 2016), has a wealth of experience in second language teaching methodology, curriculum development and dual language programs. Her passion is working with language teachers in empowering learners on the path to language proficiency.

 

Samantha Decker is about to enter her 13th year teaching French at the middle school she attended. She enjoys blogging, using technology in teaching, and networking with other teachers online and at conferences. She has been a NYSAFLT member since she was in high school! When she’s not teaching, she enjoys traveling and taking photos. Her website is The French Corner.

Anna Domingo is a teacher of Spanish and Italian at West Islip High School. She proudly served on the Long Island regional committee and assisted in the development and revision of the revised NYS Standards. Anna is a forward thinker who works consistently to improve her craft at creating a comprehensible experience for her students.

Lauren Fosnight is a Middle School Spanish Teacher at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA. She is an explorer and advocate of the ways we can build students’ curiosity, empathy, and language proficiency through input-driven instruction. She has presented on topics related to proficiency-oriented instruction at state, regional, and national conferences. Her workshop was selected as Best of PSMLA 2021. Lauren also enjoys supporting world language teachers locally through her involvement as a MCATFL (Montgomery County Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages) board member.

Jeri Gosier brings over 15 years of experience as a Spanish language educator. She presents for professional development on a variety of topics from technology integration to language teaching practices, focusing on developmentally and culturally relevant themes. She is a graduate from SUNY Cortland and SUNY Empire State College, with certificates in Translation (Spanish to English) and Social Media Marketing from UMASS Boston and UVM. She resides in Watertown with her husband and two children.

Leslie Grahn has twenty-seven years of language teaching experience and twelve years of experience at the central office level, as Coordinator of World Languages for Howard County, MD. Leslie has been a course instructor and is a frequent presenter at state, regional, and national conferences, specializing in best practices. She curates and creates resources to support language teaching and learning and shares them through her website (www.grahnforlang.com) and on Pinterest (grahnforlang).

Bill Heller has taught in public elementary, secondary, community college and undergraduate classrooms for over 40 years, including 24 years teaching Spanish at Perry High School. He has been a methods and Spanish instructor at SUNY Geneseo since 2001. Bill served as Conference Chair for the 2017 Northeast Conference (NECTFL) and is currently a member of the Executive Board and Content Advisory Panel for World Languages at the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

Rhashida Hilliard is a Middle Division World Languages Spanish instructor at Horace Mann School in Bronx, New York. She has over 15 years experience working in independent and public school settings. When she is not teaching and learning, she spends her time running around the city [literally and figuratively] and conversing and relaxing with family and friends.

Sarah Hopper is a French, Spanish, and ELL teacher with 20 years experience. She loves engaging students in interactive lessons and activities. She has taught all levels 5-12th as well as IB and college-credit courses. Her favorite tech tool is Blooket. She has authored several books on language learning and technology.

Erin Johnson is a French teacher at Penn Yan Academy. She is dually certified in both French and Spanish and has a masters degree in Educational Technology. She has taught both French and Spanish from grades 6-12 for 12 years. Erin has had the opportunity to present many workshops at NYSAFLT and NECTFL conferences around strategies and technology that she uses to engage her students. She has also participated in NYSAFLT’s Leaders of Tomorrow program.

Dr. Angèle Kingué is a professor of French and Francophone Studies and Special Advisor to the Provost at Bucknell University. A writer and scholar of Francophone African culture and literature, she has published two novels and a children’s book. She has received numerous awards, including the University Medal of Honor from the Université de Tours and the 2016 Best of NECTFL. Kingué holds a PhD in French-Foreign Language Pedagogy and Second Language Acquisition from Penn State University.

 

Margaret Krone is a teacher of Spanish and Italian at Commack High School. She serves as the Lead Teacher of the World Languages Department. She also proudly served on the Long Island regional committee and assisted in the development and revision of the new NYS Standards. Together with her colleagues, Margaret continues to work towards creating a more comprehensible and communicative language classroom.

 

 

Maureen Lamb is the Language Department Chair and Academic Technology Coordinator at the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, CT. She also teaches graduate courses in language pedagogy and instructional technology for Idioma Education and Consulting. She has been presenting on language pedagogy and effective technology training at local, regional, and national conferences for 15 years. She is a Google Certified Trainer, and she has given school and district trainings for both instructional technology and teaching languages for proficiency.

 

 

 

Michael LaPaglia is a Spanish teacher in the Kenmore Tonawanda UFSD, where he enjoys teaching in the International Baccalaureate Program. Michael loves traveling with his students and coordinates an exchange with IES G. Torrente Ballester in Santa Marta de Tormes near Salamanca, Spain. Michael was on the NYSAFLT Board of Directors as the Regional Director for Western NY. He has presented at both the Annual Conference and the Summer Institute.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Joanne O’Toole is a Professor of Modern Language Education and Interim Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Department at SUNY Oswego. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the NYSED World Languages Content Advisory Panel and the Principal Investigator of the NYS World Language Standards Initiative. Joanne is a current NECTFL Director and a former NYSAFLT President. She regularly presents at national, state, and local professional conferences. Joanne taught Spanish for 16 years prior to entering post-secondary education.

Joseph Parodi-Brown, Ed.D. is Academic Dean, Modern Languages Chair, and SHIELD Director at Marianapolis Preparatory School (Thompson, CT). He is focused on teaching toward proficiency, so that students use language to engage with other cultures and to work for justice in the world. Joseph has presented at conferences on language classrooms that are LGBTQ+ inclusive and social justice focused. He serves on the CT COLT Board and the NECTFL Advisory Council and Board of Directors.

Amy W. Pento, B.A., M.S.Ed., C.A.S., is the Instructional Specialist at Liverpool High School in Liverpool, NY. where she taught Spanish 1-5AP from 1990-2021. During that time, she served as the World Language Department Chair and mentored close to one hundred students for the Seal of Biliteracy. Amy has been a methods instructor at LeMoyne College, a presenter at LECNY, NECTFL, and the Oswego Writing Institute; her writing workshop was selected as Best of NYSAFLT 2021.

 

 

 

Françoise “Swaz” Piron was born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, the daughter of a French mother and a Belgian father. She taught French (and German) at South Jefferson CSD for 35 years and retired in June 2021. She is the current First Vice President of NYSAFLT and is a member of several organizations, including ACTFL and AATF.  She was a regular item writer and consultant at SED for the two French state exams for over 20 years. Swaz has presented numerous workshops at the local, state and national levels.  She is the recipient of several NYSAFLT awards, was named “Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Palmes Académiques” by the French Ministry of Education and is the co-author of the book “World Class, the Re-education of America”.

During her twenty years in education, Amanda Robustelli-Price has worked as a French teacher, department coordinator, and teacher trainer. She is deeply involved with the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers and is the Director of World Languages and Multilingual Learners at Glastonbury Public Schools. Passionate about proficiency, Amanda is working to prepare learners for success in our global society.

 

 

 

 

Beth Slocum is a teacher of Spanish in the Pavilion Central School District and an adjunct instructor for Genesee Community College.  In the region, Beth serves on the NECTFL Board of Directors.  Closer to home, Beth serves as the parent representative on the Genesee Region Teachers’ Center (GRTC) Policy Board and is the coordinator of the GRTC World Language Teachers’ Network.