Kansas World Language Association
WHO WE ARE
Our Mission
To promote and improve the teaching of world languages and cultures;
To provide continuing professional development; and
To encourage the spirit of cooperation among world language educators in Kansas.
To advocate for languages.
2021 - 2022
Executive Council of Elected Officers
PRESIDENT
Amanda Mendoza
(620) 341-2365
Emporia High School
3302 W. 18th Ave.
Emporia, KS 66801
VICE PRESIDENT
Rachel Benson
(913) 239-4000
Blue Valley Schools
15020 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66223
PAST PRESIDENT
Marilee Marsal
(316) 536-2277
Circle High School
905 Main St
Towanda, KS 67144
SECRETARY
Billie-Renee Knight
(785) 969-4141
Hayden Catholic High School
401 SW Gage Blvd
Topeka, KS 66604
TREASURER
Hannah Schmidt
(316) 973-5450
Wichita High School South
701 W. 33rd St.
Wichita, KS 67217
ADVOCACY CHAIR
Carmen Elizabeth Wilson
(785) 209-8688
Manhattan High School
2100 Poyntz Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502
KSDE WORLD LANGUAGES PROGRAM CONSULTANT
Dr. Regina Peszat
(785) 269-1891
Kansas Department of Edu.
900 SW Jackson St.
Topeka, KS 66612
MEMBERSHIP REP NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBER
Joshua Elliot
(620) 563-7292
Southwestern Heights HS
17222 Mustang Rd
Kismet, KS 67859
NORTH CENTRAL REP
Teresa Kearn
(785) 747-7520
Linn Schools
300 Parkview Street
Linn, Kansas KS 66953
KANSAS CITY REGIONAL REP
Monica Cabrera-Johnson
(816) 535-8036
Washington High School
7340 Leavenworth Road
Kansas City, KS 66109
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL REP
Alexander Olinger
(620) 805-5400
Garden City High School
2720 Buffalo Way, Garden City, Kansas 67846
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Regional Representatives
Be willing to participate in monthly Executive Council Zoom meetings as non-voting members as asked by the acting KSWLA President.
Be the liaison between the members of KSWLA in the region and the KSWLA Executive Council.
Serve on ad-hoc committees (such as the Election Committee) per request of the President.
ABOUT US
Our History
The oldest Bulletin in our archives is for October, 1956. However, the oldest copy of the minutes of the annual meeting is dated November 6, 1931. At that time, we were known as the Kansas Modern Language Association (KMLA). In 1968, our name officially became the Kansas Foreign Language Association (KFLA), in order to include teachers of Greek and Latin and to affiliate with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Most recently, in October 2004, we voted to change the organization's name to the Kansas World Language Association (KSWLA). This is intended to diminish the 'foreign-ness' of language learning, to extend membership to teachers of North American native languages, and to encourage teachers of English to speakers of other languages in becoming members.
FORMER TERMS
Past Presidents
2020-2021 Marilee Mckenna-Marsal
2019-2020 Amanda Benavidez-Williams
2018-2019 Heather Potter
2017-2018 Sheree Willis
2016-2017 Hollie Timson
2015-2016 Grant Moss
2014-2015 Meagan Meneley
2013-2014 Jan Denning
2012-2013 Mike Flenthrope
2011-2012 Megan Buell
2010-2011 Mary Smith
2009-2010 Leah McKeeman
2008-2009 Melanie Adams
2007-2008 Chuck Thorpe
2006-2007 Jerry Smartt
2005-2006 Karen Tritt
2004-2005 Erin Joyce
2003-2004 Tatiana Sildus
2002-2003 Jane Bodecker
2000-2002 Lois O’Malley
1999-2000 Mary Alice Schroeger
1998-1999 Peggy Bachelor
1997-1998 Penny Armstrong
1996-1997 Carol Swinney
1995-1996 Debbie Withers
1994-1995 Julie Phares
1993-1994 Ruth Firestone
1992-1993 Lyn Bement
1991-1992 Corinne Anderson
1990-1991 Terry Lindberg
1989-1990 Jean Dawson
1988-1989 Mary Rogers
1987-1988 Colleen Gray
1986-1987 Max Klamm