Lingua Franca

SSU Well Represented at MaFLA 2013

Amy Mihailidis, MAT in Spanish Alumna

The conference’s artwork was designed by SSU undergraduate student Tyler Wile

“The Massachusetts Foreign Language Association is a non-profit service organization committed to the professional growth of its members and to the promotion of quality teaching and learning of languages and cultures from kindergarten through the college level and beyond.” (http://mafla.org)

There was wide representation from SSU at the 46^th Annual MaFLA Fall conference.  The conference was held in late October at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center in Sturbridge, MA.  Many faculty, current students and program alum contributed to the event.

SSU faculty member Nicole Sherf Co-Chaired the Conference.  Faculty presenters included Michele Dávila-Gonçalves, Elizabeth Blood, Kathy Lopez Natale, Amanda Minervini, and Richard Strager.   Current MAT students also presented research, including Patricia Sánchez and Amy St. Arnaud.  Many MAT program alums attended the conference and stopped by to support the advocacy booth.  Gerta Pasquarello, Lillian Duffy, Osvaldo Mejia, Adriana Gónzalez, Olga Pearson, Maggie Sears, Kimric Welsh, to name a few.  Current and former undergraduates like Amanda Tower, Daniel Godden, and Sarah Silva also were seen.

As we reflect on the heavy participation of the SSU community with MaFLA it is not surprising to hear that Jessica Clifford, MAT Graduate 2010, will be taking more of a leadership role in the organization. Jessica presented two sessions and coordinated the advocacy booth this year.  She has also been elected to the Second Vice President position for 2014 and will chair the conference in 2015.   Go, Jessica!

The Advocacy Booth had a great year at the conference.  Christina Berry, MAT graduate 2010, and Amy Mihailidis, MAT graduate 2009, were advocacy interns that organized advocacy initiatives and volunteered time at the booth. SSU faculty member Ken Reeds could also been seen in the exhibit hall manning the Salem State table.

It is impressive to see the participation our students and faculty at MAFLA.  This speaks to a growing community of professionals dedicated to the betterment of World Language Education in our state.  Keep up the collaboration!

MAT in Spanish alumna Lillian Duffy at the MaFLA Advocacy Booth

Massachusetts 2013 Teacher of the Year Kathleen Turner at the MaFLA Annual Fall Conference