This award is designed to recognize an outstanding person in the language teaching field. The candidate must be a Kansas language educator who has made major contributions to language education at the school, state, regional, or national level. The award recipient receives state-wide recognition, a one-year ACTFL Membership, and Conference Registration at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) for the following year. The recipient will provide a photograph and a mini-bio for press releases. KSWLA will provide a complimentary meal for one guest of the recipient at the Conference banquet. Nomination forms must be submitted by June 1st.
Use the online nomination button below. For more information, contact the KSWLA Past President (kswlapastpresident@gmail.com).
Checklist
For more information on candidate selection, please refer to the below checklist before submitting your nomination.
Nominee:
Is a language teacher in Kansas
Is active or has been active in KSWLA (at least 1 of the following)
Presents/has presented at the annual KSWLA conference
Has served on the KSWLA Executive Board
Has served as a Regional Representative
Has served on a committee for the KSWLA Executive Board
Shows evidence of continued professional growth (all required)
Regularly engages in professional development opportunities
Is a reflective educator
Uses best practices to facilitate language acquisition in the classroom
Is classified as above average in teaching skills as evidenced by administrator evaluations
Is a leader in their school and/or community
Shows evidence of service to the language profession locally, regionally, and/or nationally
Promotes a positive classroom environment
Promotes positive relationships with colleagues
Previous Recipients
2022: Alyssa Rumple, Spanish, Wichita North High School
2021: Rachel Delzer, Spanish, Maize South High School
2020: Leigh Rysko, Spanish, Shawnee Mission South High School
2019: Jennifer Parga, Spanish, Wichita North High School 2018: David Shelly, Spanish, Wichita East High School 2017: Julie Sellers, Ph.D., Spanish, Benedictine College 2016: Jodi Nichols-Johnson, French, Blue Valley North High School
2015: (no nomination) 2014: Chuck Thorpe, Spanish and German, Kansas State University 2013: Kris Scheuerman, German, Shawnee Mission West HS 2011: Nora Kelting, French, Newton High School 2010: Karen Tritt, Spanish, Shawnee Mission West High School 2009: Paula Biggar, Spanish, Sumner Academy of Arts & Science 2008: Marilyn Bolton, Spanish and Italian, Buhler High School 2007: Sally Guillen, Spanish, Shawnee Mission South High School 2006: Wanda Tilford, German, Bishop Caroll High School 2005: Patricia Staver, Ph.D., FL Methods, Kansas State University 2004: Jenifer Banks, German, Topeka West High School 2003: Karen Tritt, Spanish, Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission 2002: Anke M. Wells, German, Seaman High School 2001: Jane Bodecker, Spanish, Halstead High School 2000: Diane DeNoon, coordinating teacher, Blue Valley School District 1999: Cherice Montgomery, Spanish, Southeast High School 1998: Doris Van der Giesen, French, Hutchinson High School 1997: Linda Bankes, Spanish, Abilene High School 1996: Ruth S. Campos, Spanish, Sumner Academy of Kansas City 1995: Llona Steele, French, Salina High School South 1994: Ingeborg Teasley, German, Abilene High School 1993: Connie Garcia, Ph.D., Emporia State University