The KSWLA Phyllis Farrar Leadership Award is designed to recognize an individual in our state who has made outstanding contributions over time to our profession. The award was created in honor of Phyllis Farrar, who has served world language teaching both in our state and nationally as an outstanding teacher, leader in KSWLA, World Languages Consultant at the Kansas State Department of Education, active member of national and regional professional organizations, and a tireless advocate for world language teaching.
This award will be given annually, provided that there are qualified candidates. The awardee will be honored at the annual meeting and given an honorarium of $1,000 (providing KSWLA funds are available).
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
Professional teaching experience: must have at least 15 years of experience as a classroom world language teacher (preK-20);
Contributions to the profession: must have been active in KSWLA, including experience in a leadership role (this may include presenting or serving as a regional representative or on the Executive Board); and
Current status: must be currently working in Kansas in the profession or retired from a related position in Kansas.
Nomination process:
Any member of KSWLA may nominate a candidate for this award. (Nominees should not self-nominate.) The nomination must include a detailed list of the nominee’s contributions to the world language teaching profession. The nomination must also include the nominee’s resume or CV and two letters of recommendation (not from the person making the nomination). The letters may be either from other individuals in the profession or from related organizations or other stakeholders who have benefited from the nominee’s work.
Nominations must be submitted by June 1. For more information, contact the KSWLA Past President (kswlapastpresident@gmail.com)
Rubric
| Teaching Experience | Contributions to KSWLA | Contributions to Profession | Leadership |
Exceeds Expectations | More than 15 years of experience as a language teacher (preK-20). Currently employed in or retired from a position in Kansas. | Has presented at more than one KSWLA conference AND has held an executive board position. | Shows evidence of improving a language program AND of advocating for teachers or students at the local, state, regional, OR national level; PLUS shows evidence of aiding teachers in improving their language programs/teaching. | Shows evidence of mentoring other language teachers Publishing Presenting at regional and national conferences mentoring |
Meets Expectations | At least 15 years of experience as a language teacher (preK-20). Currently employed in or retired from a position in Kansas. | Has presented at one KSWLA conference AND has held an executive board position, served on a committee OR served as a Regional Representative. | Shows evidence of improving a language program OR of advocating for teachers or students at the local, state, regional, OR national level; PLUS shows evidence of aiding teachers in improving their language programs/teaching. | |
Approaching Expectations | N/A | Has presented at KSWLA conferences OR has held an executive board position. | Shows evidence of improving a language program OR of advocating for teachers or students at the local, state, regional, OR national level. | |
Below Expectations | N/A | Has neither presented at KSWLA conferences nor held a board position. | No evidence shown. | |
Previous Recipients
2022: Jan Denning, Salina Central High School (retired), Salina
2021: Diane Denoon, Blue Valley School District (retired), Overland Park
2020: Laura Salmeron, Valley Center High School (retired), Newton 2019: Jerry Smartt, Ph.D., Friends University, Wichita