Workshops and Presenters
Detailed Schedule
Monday, August 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
1. Empowering Diverse Learners: Student Agency in the Language Classroom
Presenter(s): Leslie Grahn, Howard County Schools, MD (retired), Ellicott City, MD
A language classroom where learners have agency includes opportunities for student voice, choice, and ownership of learning. During this interactive session, participants will reflect on the role student agency currently plays in their practice and set goals to increase student voice, choice, and ownership in their classrooms. Participants will also gain strategies and examine classroom samples to enhance the engagement of diverse students through student agency.
11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
2. Incorporating Holidays, Festivals, and Theme days to increase Cultural Competence and Student Engagement
Presenter(s): Sarah Hopper, Watkins Glen High School, Watkins Glen, NY
We will explore ways to integrate Cultural Celebrations and Festivals into lessons through pictures and examples of lessons that have been successfully used in the classroom. Examples in French and Spanish will be shown. Festivals like La Tomatina, San Fermín, Le Touissant, Juste Pour Rire, and Le Poisson d’Avril. We will also explore Theme Days like National Dog Day, Kindergarten Day, as a platform for promoting proficiency and cultural comparisons by providing input and hooks for student engagement.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
3. Collaborative AI Digital Story Creation
Presenter(s): Noemí Rodríguez, Pascack Hills High School, Montvale, NJ
Explore how GenAI can support collaborative digital storytelling in the world language classroom. Participants will learn how tools like Gemini’s Storybook Gem and Canva can help students brainstorm ideas, develop narratives, and design engaging digital stories together. Teachers will learn practical strategies for guiding students through the storytelling process, from brainstorming ideas with AI to drafting scripts and designing visual narratives that reinforce vocabulary, cultural themes, and meaningful communication. Participants will see classroom examples of collaborative storytelling projects and explore how students can work together to generate ideas, create illustrations, and build digital storybooks.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
4. Less Math, More Meaning: Grading for Proficiency in World Language
Presenter(s): Shari Ebert, Pittsford Mendon High School, Pittsford, NY
In this workshop, we will explore how to shift from traditional point-based grading systems to equitable, proficiency-based practices that more accurately reflect student learning. Instead of treating grades as a form of currency tied to compliance, behavior, or task completion, participants will learn how to communicate what students can actually do with the language, using rubrics aligned with proficiency standards. This session will examine how to separate academic achievement from behaviors, provide meaningful feedback, and track student growth over time. Participants will leave with practical strategies for creating and using proficiency rubrics, rethinking gradebook structures, and fostering a classroom culture where grades serve as clear communication about language development—not a reward or punishment system.
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
5. Opening reception- LIVE ONLY (Not for CTLE)
Presenter(s): Michael Lauria, Carmel High School, Carmel, NY
Come join us as we reflect on our first day of the summer institute and network with colleagues!
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
6. Many Stories, Many Voices
Presenter(s): Bill Heller, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY
Dr. Lori Langer de Ramirez, The Dalton School, New York, NY
Dr. Joanne O’Toole, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY
Stories can be one vehicle for providing compelling, engaging input for students and for amplifying and examining the voices of diverse cultures, subcultures, and individuals within the borders of target-language contexts. In this session, presenters will identify interpretive strategies for engaging students with culturally authentic stories of various genres and for analyzing them critically. They will then suggest ways to use these same sources as inspirations for interpersonal conversations and presentational performance tasks at different proficiency checkpoints.
11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. (TWO OPTIONS- CHOOSE ONE)
7. Unlocking FLES: Making World Languages Accessible to Students with Diverse Needs
Presenter(s): Alexis Porcelli, Massapequa Public Schools, Massapequa, NY
How do we ensure that every child can thrive in a FLES classroom? With diverse program models and classroom settings, adapting instruction to meet all students’ needs can be a challenge. We will explore inclusive, developmentally appropriate strategies that make early language learning accessible, joyful, and effective for diverse learners—without sacrificing meaningful target-language use. Participants will explore practical examples designed for students building Checkpoint A proficiency and learn ways to organize materials and routines to support welcoming, equitable, and engaging early language experiences for all students.
OR
8. Bringing the NYS Portrait of a Graduate to Life in World Languages
Presenter(s): NYSAFLT Public Advocacy Committee: Marie Campanaro and Barbara Patterson, retired
The NYS Portrait of a Graduate is a statewide framework mandated by NYSED, with implementation starting in the Fall of 2027. Test your understanding of the Portrait’s 6 interconnected attributes and their alignment with the Learning Standards for World Languages. Explore ways to incorporate them in your units, curriculum maps, lesson plans, and teacher evaluations, and educate administrators on how world languages enhance each of the attributes. Lesson examples for Checkpoints A, B, and C, which encompass the NYS topics, language functions, and various methodology strategies, will be shared. Breakout sessions will enable attendees to revise and align a lesson and access supporting resources.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
9. Leveling The Playing Field- Demystifying The AAPPL Exam
Presenter(s): Mike Travers, Wellesley High School, Wellesley, MA
As many districts use the AAPPL exam to measure student proficiency and as a requirement for moving to the next checkpoint, it’s important to understand the test. In this session, we will discuss the test through the lens of a rater/teacher to understand what it is like for students, what is being measured, and how we can help students showcase their skills when they take this proficiency test. Teachers will leave this session with information about the test and strategies to support their teaching.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
10. Urban Canvas: Leveraging Street Art for Proficiency and Engagement
Presenter(s): Francoise “Swaz” Piron, South Jefferson, (retired), Adams, NY
Street Art is a powerful, authentic resource that transcends borders. This session provides a pedagogical model for integrating urban art into any World Language curriculum, using the Francophone world as our primary case study. Participants will explore how murals—from Paris to Dakar—can anchor the three modes of communication. We will demonstrate how to scaffold tasks from Novice High (describing visuals) to Intermediate Mid (analyzing social commentary) in a virtual environment. You will learn to design “Virtual Gallery Walks” (Interpretive) and “Street Talks” (Interpersonal) using Zoom-friendly tools. Whether you teach French or another language, you will leave with a digital toolkit and a framework to turn city walls into gateways for cultural and linguistic proficiency.
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
11. End of Day Debrief/ Networking- LIVE ONLY (Not for CTLE)
Presenter(s): Michael Lauria, Carmel High School, Carmel, NY
Sponsor: KLETT
Need a chance to unwind and process everything you have learned? Join us this afternoon to discuss the first two days of learning, share ideas, and network with colleagues! Thank you to our sponsor KLETT!
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
12. Literacy in the L2 Classroom: Accommodations for Reading Difficulties
Presenter(s):
Dr. Erin Fell, LANGuistics, Long Island City, NY
Judy Hur
In this interactive workshop, a language teacher (Dr. Erin Fell) and a dyslexia specialist (Judy Hur) come together to explore how to support students with reading difficulties in the L2 classroom. Drawing on both classroom experience and reading research, the session highlights key areas where students often benefit from additional support, including phonological awareness, spelling patterns, and reading comprehension. Participants will engage in guided activities to examine common classroom tasks and collaboratively consider practical accommodations that can make language learning more accessible for students who struggle with reading. The session will include opportunities for reflection, discussion, and hands-on application of strategies that teachers can immediately bring into their own classrooms.
11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
13. Lights, Camera, Culture: Bringing Pop Culture Into the Language Classroom
Presenter(s): Françoise Thenoux, Independent Consultant
In today’s classrooms, students engage with culture through music, media, and digital spaces, yet language instruction often presents culture as static or disconnected from students’ realities. This session invites educators to reimagine pop culture as a powerful pedagogical lens for language learning, identity exploration, and critical engagement. Grounded in a humanizing, proficiency-driven, and anti-bias framework, participants will explore how media and cultural moments can support meaningful communication, deepen engagement, and foster intercultural awareness. The workshop emphasizes moving beyond surface-level activities toward critical cultural analysis, centering representation, diaspora, and lived experiences. Educators will leave with practical strategies and adaptable tools to integrate pop culture in ways that reflect the complexity of the Spanish-speaking world and support authentic language use.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
14. Next-Gen Voices: Language Teaching in the Age of Gen Alpha
Presenter(s): Leah Grady, Queensbury High School, Queensbury, NY
Meet your newest students: Generation Alpha—learners who have grown up with touchscreens, streaming, and constant digital interaction. Their environment has greatly shaped how they focus and engage in the classroom, challenging language teachers to rethink some traditional approaches. In this jam-packed hour, participants will explore how Gen Alpha’s upbringing influences how they learn and discover research-informed, interactive strategies that boost engagement and meaningful communication. We’ll discuss modernized approaches to grammar and curriculum, the importance of movement and face-to-face interaction, and how you can tweak lessons- not reinvent the wheel. The presenter will share the practical strategies she uses in her own classroom. Teachers of novice classrooms to university courses will find value in this workshop.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
15. Google Slides to Create Paper Documents… What The Tech?!
Presenter(s): Meredith White, Collins Hill High School, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia
Tired of Word/Docs sending images two towns over when you insert them? Want multiple versions of quizzes and tests in an easier/visible format? Need ONE place for everything at your fingertips *including* audio? Come to see how all this can happen using Google Slides as a document creator! You’ll learn how to use Google Slides as a flexible design canvas for documents where you can easily drag and drop text, embed audio, and keep your formatting layouts perfectly aligned and consistent.
(All materials shown will be shared and editable.)
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
16. Immersion hour- LIVE ONLY
Presenter(s): Michael Lauria, Carmel High School, Carmel, 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!
Thursday, August 6, 2026
9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
17. Proficiency Palooza
Presenter(s): Anna Domingo, West Islip High School, Seaford, NY
Proficiency is often the buzzword of world language education, but how do we bring it to life in our classrooms every day? In this session, participants will explore how to turn proficiency levels into engaging classroom practices through community-building games, communication activities, and adaptable templates that work across proficiency levels. Participants will experience ready-to-use activities that help students get to know their classmates and their teacher while practicing authentic communication. Each activity aligns with proficiency goals and highlights what learners can do with language. The session will also explore how proficiency indicators can make expectations visible to students, helping them better understand what performance at the novice and intermediate levels actually looks like while building a classroom culture that supports growth and communication.
11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
18. A World Language Experiment in “Ungrading”
Presenter(s): Sarah Woodward-Jones, Fayetteville-Manlius High School Manlius, NY
You may be familiar with Equitable grading practices, but have you heard of Ungrading? This grading approach first came to prominence in Susan Blum’s (2020) book Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead). The goal is to encourage a growth mindset in students by focusing on progress toward achieving proficiency benchmarks, rather than on collecting points or competitive comparisons in the classroom. Students receive feedback on their work, but do not receive grades on assignments. Come hear about how to implement this approach, lessons learned, and what to do differently next time!
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
19. From Passive to Playful: Activities That Spark Student Engagement
Presenter(s): Alexandra Cabrera, Bay Shore Middle School, Bay Shore, NY
Boost participation and energy in your classroom with engaging games and interactive activities that work at any proficiency level. In this session, you’ll experience adaptable strategies that promote communication, collaboration, and meaningful practice while keeping students actively involved. A little healthy competition can be just the fuel your students need! Walk away with ready-to-use activities you can implement immediately to increase motivation and engagement, for both you and your students. This session is perfect for teachers looking to refresh their routines, add some tools to their belts, and bring new energy into their classrooms in September!
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
20. UnCon and Share-out – LIVE ONLY
Presenter(s): Michael Lauria, Carmel High School, Carmel, NY
What have we learned? In this last hour of SI25, 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 highlighting the week’s highlights.
Presenters:
Alexandra Cabrera is a middle school Spanish teacher on Long Island with 9 years of experience under her belt. She has taught 7th grade introductory Spanish, 6th-8th grade Dual Language, and 8th grade Heritage courses since beginning at Bay Shore Middle School. Alexandra has previously presented both at NYSAFLT’s Summer Institute and Annual Conferences, and served as 2nd Vice President of Long Island Language Teachers from 2024 to 2025. 
Anna Domingo earned her M.A. in Italian Language and Literature from Stony Brook University and completed her undergraduate studies at St. Joseph’s University, New York in Patchogue. She has taught both Spanish and Italian for over 12 years and is passionate about creating engaging, proficiency-driven learning experiences for her students.
Shari Ebert is a Spanish teacher at Pittsford Mendon High School in Pittsford, New York. She graduated from Nazareth College (University) in 2003 with a BA in Spanish and education, and from Middlebury College in 2004 with an MA in Spanish. She has been teaching for 23 years and has been the curriculum director for World Language for 11 years. Shari is a co-chair of NYSAFLT Rochester Regional conference. 
Erin Fell, Ph.D.
Leslie Grahn has twenty-seven years of language teaching experience and twelve years of experience at the central office level. She curates and creates resources to support language teaching and learning and shares them through her website (www.grahnforlang.com) and on Pinterest (grahnforlang). Leslie is the co-author of The Keys to Strategies for Language Instruction and has served on the boards of NECTFL, NADSFL and ACTFL. 
Leah Grady, 
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 team of the World Language Standards Initiative at the New York State Education Department (NYSED). 
Sarah Hopper is certified in French, Spanish, and ENL. She has published several books on World Language Teaching. She was recognized in 2014 as a digital innovator. She was further recognized as an ACTFL Lill Cohort 5 graduate. She is an avid presenter. She has presented for NYSAFLT, ACTFL, LINK, STARLT, and the Nebraska Department of Education. 
Judy Hur, M.S., CALT, is a reading interventionist specializing in dyslexia and Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE). She has supported elementary and middle school students through literacy intervention and collaboration with classroom teachers. Her work focuses on helping struggling readers develop phonological awareness, decoding, spelling, and comprehension skills through structured, explicit instruction. Judy partners closely with educators and families to design effective supports and accommodations that help students with dyslexia build strong, lasting literacy skills.
Dr. Lori Langer de Ramirez has taught Spanish, French, and ESL. She holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently the K-12 Chair of the World and Classical Languages Department at the Dalton School in New York City and has authored books, texts, and articles about language teaching and learning and multicultural education. She presents at conferences in the U.S. and around the world. 
Meredith White
Dr. Joanne O’Toole is a Professor of Modern Language Education in the Curriculum and Instruction Department at SUNY Oswego. She is the Principal Investigator of the NYS World Language Standards Initiative. Joanne has served as NYSAFLT President, as a NECTFL Director, and is a regular presenter at professional conferences. Joanne taught Spanish for 16 years prior to entering post-secondary education. 
Françoise “Swaz” Piron 
Alexis Porcelli earned her B.A. in Italian Language and Literature with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature from SUNY Binghamton. She received her MAT in Italian from SUNY Stony Brook. Alexis holds certification in teaching Italian, Spanish and ENL at both the secondary and elementary levels. Alexis currently teaches FLES for grades 3-5 in the Massapequa School District.
Noemí Rodríguez-Grimshaw is a veteran world language educator supporting teachers globally since 2005. She specializes in curriculum design, proficiency-based assessments, and technology integration. Her workshops have earned Best of NJ for FLENJ (2014, 2024, 2025) and Best of NECTFL (2025), and she received the FLENJ President’s Award in 2023. She is the author of AI Innovation in the Language Classroom (2024) and is recognized as a Canva Ambassador.
Françoise Thenoux is an educator, facilitator, curriculum designer, and educational consultant with over 20 years of experience working with multilingual learners in the United States and Chile. She specializes in proficiency-driven, humanizing, and anti-bias world language pedagogy, centering identity, representation, and belonging. Françoise has presented for ACTFL, CARLA, and international schools, and serves as an ACTFL facilitator. She is the creator of The Woke Spanish Teacher and leads the Transformative Teaching Cohort.
Mike Travers is a Spanish teacher at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts. He is an active presenter at MAFLA, NECTFL, and ACTFL, and currently serves as the MAFLA President. He is also the co-author of the recently published book Teaching For Proficiency: Teaching Grammar for Proficiency. Mike has a true passion for working with districts and teachers as they make the shift to a student-centered, proficiency-based approach in their world language programs. 
Sarah Woodward-Jones is a National Board Certified French teacher and Curriculum Coordinator at Fayetteville-Manlius Schools. She is also an Ed.D. candidate at the University at Buffalo. She has been teaching French for 20 years, with experience at each Checkpoint level. She graduated from Wells College in 2006 and completed her M.A in French Language and Civilization in 2009 from NYU in Paris. She is the treasurer of the local chapter, AATF of CNY.
