This award for the best conference presentation is based on evaluations from attendees of the KSWLA conference. The winner is given a stipend of $250 to present his/her session at the Central States Conference approximately 15 months later.
For more information, contact the KSWLA Past President (kswlapastpresident@gmail.com).
Previous Recipients
2023
Karen Gipson, Free State High School, Lawrence, KS, "Creating Class Characters to Build Writing Proficiency"
2022
Katrina Carey, Olathe East High School, Olathe, KS
"Leveling Up!"
2021
Heather Potter, Goddard Middle School, Wichita, KS
"Teacher Time Management: Planning School to Meet YOUR Life Needs"
2020
Rachel Benson, Blue Valley School District, Overland Park, KS
"Maximizing YOUR Proficiency in Teacher Effectiveness"
2019
Karen Gipson, Lawrence Free State High School, Lawrence, KS
"Ditch the List"
2018
Marta Silva, Olathe Public Schools "How Do I Know You are Learning ... Something? Assessing Heritage Language Students"
2017
Ashley Bell and Mike Flenthrope, Olathe Public Schools
"Using Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs)"
2016
Karen Detixhe and Carol Furrow, Wichita Public Schools "What CAN your students DO? Lesson Planning with Can-Do Statements"
2015
Rebecca Fleming, Andover West High School
"Designing and Managing Learning Menus"
2014
Karen Tritt, Blue Valley West High School, Overland Park, KS
"Your Single Best Day"
2013
Christina Wolff de Casquino, Johnson County Community College,
"Creating a Professional Plan for Interpreting,"
2012
Chuck Thorpe, Kansas State University
“Internet Safety for Teenagers: Authentic Video 'Texts' from Argentina and Spain”
2011
Suzy Sprenkle, Wamego High School
“How to Read a Novel and Make It Fun!”
2010
Elke Lorenz, Manhattan High School
"Learning Languages with Art / Mit Kunst Deutsch Lernen"
2009
Diane DeNoon, District Language Coordinator, Blue Valley Schools
"Using Technology to Engage Students in Learning”
2008
Brett Klankey, Turner High School, and Bonnie Orozco,
Ellsworth High School, "E-Tickets Available: Get Your Passports Ready!"
2007
Karen Tritt, Shawnee Mission West High School,
"What Can I Do with 15 Minutes?"
2006
Bonnie Orozco, Ellsworth High School
"Chocolate: A Taste of History"
2005
Carol Swinney, HSPN Network,
"Distance Learning Technologies: Window to the World"
2004
Julie Hughes and Suzanne Kohl, Junction City High School
"I've Got My Own Class . . . Now What?"
2003
Evelyn Gregg, Newton High School
"Making Art Come Alive in the Spanish Classroom"
2002
Paula Biggar and Barbara Shaw, Sumner Academy of KC
"Reading Know-How"
2001
Chuck Thorpe, Kansas State University
"Casona's La Dama Del Alba for Intermediate Spanish"
2000
Douglas K. Benson, Kansas State University
"Language/Culture/Literature: An Integrated Approach"
1999
Tatiana Sildus, Kansas State University graduate student
"Video Projects for the Classroom"
1998
Luz María Alvarez, Johnson County Community College
"Hispanic Movies and Videos"
1997
Phyllis Farrar and Meredith Williams
"Teaching the Holocaust: A Scenario Linked with Content Areas"
1996
Stephany Orr, Leslie Mason and Kathy Smith, Blue Valley Schools "FLES the Blue Valley Way" (This presentation earned "Best of Central States," which was consequently presented at ACTFL by a new team of Chris Laren, Jeannie Shaw and Lauri Bledsoe.)