FLAG 2004 AWARDS
Dory Rogers
2004 FLAG Excellence in Teaching Award (P-12)
Mrs. Rogers is a Spanish teacher at Shiloh High School in Gwinnett County where
she is the foreign language department head. A teacher-leader, she serves in
many capacities within the school including the Shiloh Leadership Team, Teacher
Mentor, and the Block Assessment Committee. For Gwinnett County, she has
helped write the county final exams for all levels of Spanish. On being a
teacher, she says, "This is my approach: to make the study of a foreign
language be more about communication and cultures, to foster a sense that
speaking in this new language is like being part of a special club, and to
make my class the highlight of my students' day." Shiloh High Principal Dr.
Bill Kruskamp added, "Dory's students are conversing in the language, writing
the language, and even more impressively, it appears that they are 'thinking'
in Spanish." Mrs. Rogers has presented at several FLAG and SCOLT conferences
on the use of block schedules in foreign languages as well as the use of the
internet for student projects. Additionally, she has helped judge for GHP
for over 15 years. She holds a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota
and an MA from Piedmont College.
David Alley
2004 FLAG Excellence in Teaching Award (Post Secondary)
Dr. David Alley is a Professor of Spanish at Georgia Southern University where
he has taught since 1988. He holds a Masters and a Doctorate in Education
from the University of Georgia. His long career before teaching at the
university level includes serving with the Peace Corps, teaching Spanish in
public schools, and directing instruction and language departments from Pusan
Sanub University in South Korea to the University of Georgia in Athens. As
professor at Georgia Southern, he supervises student teachers and interns. He
also directs the Costa Rica and Mexico Study Abroad Programs. Additionally, he
has authored, reviewed, and edited numerous contributions to language journals.
He is frequently engaged in the work of contributing to the program of FLAG,
SCOLT, TESOL, AATSP, and ACTFL conferences. He is the recipient of several
prestigious grants for language enrichment. Besides having taught courses in
foreign language, literature, methods, and culture, he has also developed new
courses involving the use of technology, applied linguistics, and studies in
Hispanic media and art.
Lynne Gant
2004 FLAG Teacher of Promise Award (P-12)
Mrs. Gant is in her second year as a Spanish teacher at McConnell Middle
School in Gwinnett County. She has earned an Associates Degree from Georgia
Perimeter College with a concentration in Teacher Education, and a BA in
Spanish from Georgia State University with certification in Foreign Language
education. Due to her efforts to spark student interest in language learning,
Mrs. Gant's first year solo performance as a Spanish I teacher has generated
enough enthusiasm for the school to possibly have three Spanish teachers by
next fall. Her classroom has been described as an interactive environment
that meets the needs of all types of learners by using games, songs, dances,
total-physical response, storytelling, and several types of group activities.
She also collaborates with high school teachers to ensure a smooth transition
from Level 1 to Level 2. Furthermore, Mrs. Gant has started a "Spanish for
Educators" staff development class in her school in which many teachers have
participated. She not only co-presented at FLAG last year, but also presented
at ACTFL last November. She serves on the Foreign Language Program Review
Committee for Gwinnett County and also works closely with McConnell Middle
School's special education classes in developing motivational activities to
let those students learn Spanish words and experience Spanish culture. Her
principal John Campbell said, "Ms. Gant is more than an excellent teacher; she
is a leader, a motivator, and an ambassador for foreign language instruction."
She says, "It is my philosophy that language learning should be fun! When
students elect to be in an optional foreign language course that lasts two
years, it is my job to inspire them to continue their studies beyond the
minimum requirements."
Ana Johnson
2004 FLAG Teacher of Promise Award (P-12)
Mrs. Johnson is in her second year of teaching Spanish at Rising Starr Middle
School in Fayette County. She received a BA in Computer Information Systems
and an MBA in Marketing both from the University of Puerto Rico, and she
completed her teaching certification in Spanish from the University of West
Georgia. As a native speaker of Spanish and an English language learner
herself, Mrs. Johnson incorporates a variety of activities to appeal to
different types of language learners. For example, her lessons often draw on
her interests in music and art, and research assignments, fiesta simulations,
and Latin dance lessons immerse her students in the Spanish culture. Teacher
Lisa Wms. Fine said, "A 'mi casa es su casa' Spanish attitude permeates the
classroom environment. Actively learning, students accept Señora
Johnson's expertise as she pilots their journey to a culture embedded in
countries miles away, yet right next door." She encourages not only her
students, but also her fellow teachers to participate in Hispanic cultural
activities. This commitment to learning explains why student enrollment in
Spanish I at her school has increased by forty-five percent after only one
year. Mrs. Johnson says that her focus is on developing internationally-conscious
learners who will enjoy success in all aspects of society. She says, "I am
committed to my students and my Hispanic heritage. The opportunity to combine
the two and create a lasting change in the future of my students is extremely
exciting."
Corinne Barnes
2004 FLAG Leadership Award
Mrs. Barnes received her Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University and
holds a M.Ed. from Georgia State and an M.A. from West Georgia. She not only
serves as Douglas County Schools' Curriculum Coordinator for Foreign Language,
but she also coordinates the Gifted and ESOL programs as well. Corinne helped
develop the Metro Foreign Language Forum, and has instituted the West Metro
Forum. She and her teachers are frequent presenters at FLAG and SCOLT
conferences. Helping to found the Georgia Coalition for Language Learning,
she has worked closely with the Georgia Legislature. Because of her devotion
to keep the elementary model program in the annual budget, she is well known
by legislators as one of the "little ladies" at the Capitol. Undaunted by
losses from educational cutbacks, she continues to work to have language
programs reinstated and lobby lawmakers for support of foreign languages at
all levels. Dr. Carol Semonsky of Georgia State University said of Mrs.
Barnes, "Corinne may be a 'little lady' but she has a big mission." She has
been the recipient of several foreign language awards including the 2003
Palmes d'Académiques. She also manages to teach a class of high school
French where she sponsors the French Club and travels to France annually with
her students. Douglas County teacher Kimberly Laderoute added, "Where there
is a cause for foreign language, you will surely find Mrs. Barnes!"
Vicente Valverde
2004 FLAG Fostering Partnerships Through Foreign Languages Award
Mr. Vicente Valverde has represented the Ministry of Education, Culture and
Sport as the Spanish consultant for the Georgia Department of Education since
September 15, 1998. In that time, he has worked tirelessly to support the
Visiting Teacher from Spain program, which brings qualified teachers from
Spain to Georgia schools to teach Spanish for up to three years. He has
actively promoted the Ministry's summer study programs in Spain, with the
result that Georgia now ranks only after Florida, Texas and California in the
number of teachers that participate in summer study at Spanish universities.
Thanks in great part to his leadership, the Masters Program in Spanish Language
and Culture at the University of Salamanca is filled with teachers from
Georgia. Mr. Valverde's dedication and leadership were also essential in the
establishment of The Hispanic Center at Kennesaw. Mr. Valverde will return to
Spain in August, 2004 leaving a lasting legacy of Spanish culture in the state
of Georgia.
Lounelle Beecher
2004 FLAG Administrative Support of Foreign Languages Award
Mrs. Beecher is currently serving in the Richmond County School System as the
Coordinator for Social Studies and Foreign Languages. Dr. Jana Sandarg of
Augusta State University said, "Although her field is Social Studies, Mrs.
Beecher keeps abreast of foreign language pedagogy and is enthusiastic about
traveling and learning about other cultures." Over the years, she not only
has hosted a French exchange student, Russian teachers of English, a Japanese
nursing student, and German educators, but she also has studied French, German,
Russian, and Japanese. Additionally she serves as an adjunct professor at
Augusta State University. Mrs. Beecher was a recent recipient of a Fulbright
Grant to visit Japan where she interacted with educators and business leaders.
She works closely with foreign language programs at all levels and supports
teachers by securing textbooks, applying for grants, and with financial backing
for numerous conferences and seminars. During her tenure, the Richmond County
Board of Education has assumed the financial support for the elementary model
foreign language program she helped initiate. She is also proud that two
schools in Richmond County have participated with the German American
Partnership Program (GAPP) Exchange. Many teachers in Augusta recognize her
enthusiasm, energy, and hard work for promoting foreign language. Michael
Dockery, teacher at Davidson Fine Arts School added, "It is difficult to
imagine how she could possibly put more energy and effort into foreign
language curriculum even if it were her only responsibility."
FLAG President's Certificate of Excellence
- Dr. John Austin (Georgia State University)
- Dr. John Bartley (DeKalb County Schools; Agnes Scott College)
- Dr. Elaine McAllister (Kennesaw State University)
- Colonel Billy E. Wells, Jr. (North Georgia College and State University)
FLAG Conference Award--Best of FLAG
- Deborah Marker (R.L. Osborne HS)
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