PSMLA News Updates & Reminders
Mentors and Mentees Wanted!
Are you a novice language teacher looking for support? Are you an experienced communicative language teacher looking for an opportunity to help the next generation of teachers grow? Apply to participate in the first cohort of the PSMLA Peer Mentoring Program by June 30. Program information and application forms can be found on our website.
PSMLA Seeks Early Career Educator Representative
Are you in your first 5 years of the profession and want to get more involved? We need your voice and talent on the PSMLA Executive Council! We are accepting nominations for a 1-year appointed position to join other passionate educators collaborating on shaping world language education in PA. See this link for additional details and to apply by May 15. Questions can be directed to isabel@psmla.org.
Call for Nominations of PSMLA Executive Council members
Each year, terms end for 3 PSMLA Executive Council members.
We invite you to run for election or to nominate someone to run for election to serve a 3-year term on the PSMLA Executive Council.
The Nominee must be a member of PSMLA for at least a year, be willing to attend one virtual meeting and two in-person Saturday board meetings, attend the Fall conference, and actively serve on ExCo subcommittees throughout the year.
Please complete this google form, or send an email expressing your interest to Isabel Espino de Valdivia (Nominations and Elections Committee Chair) at isabel@psmla.org.
You will be notified if your name or the nominee’s name will be included on the Fall elections slate.
The nomination period will end at midnight on June 15, 2025
For more information about the Executive Council, please refer to this link on our website: www.psmla.org
PSMLA’s World Language Professional Development Calendar
Stay up to date with professional development opportunities around the state from various organizations, by adding the PSMLA-curated PA WL Professional Development Calendar. You can find the calendar on PSMLA’s website or you can subscribe to it by clicking HERE.
Have an event that you would like to add to this calendar? Share it with us at jen@psmla.org with details.
General World Language Announcements
Global Perspectives On The Future of Foreign Language Teaching In K-12 Education
Announcing a professional development webinar facilitated by Auburn University. This webinar, to take place on July 9, 2025, is designed to be a hands-on workshop to provide language teachers with knowledge and skills in integrating Artificial Intelligence into the language classroom, building advocacy for language instruction, building collaborations and student study opportunities overseas, and developing other important skills. Representatives from key embassies will identify curricular and teaching resources for use by teachers.
Registration and seminar details can be found on our website.
For additional information, please email Rachelle: Rdene915@gmail.com
Input Needed from World Language Educators
JNCL-NCLIS is reaching out to ask you to complete a brief survey that will help to better understand the programs, priorities, and challenges you face in your district. Your responses will directly inform the tools, data, and resources they develop to support our work — from messaging guides to legislative briefs and community engagement templates.
Take this short survey today:
Help Inform Us on Language Learning in K-12 Schools
Language Camp Opportunity in Ohio
Encourage your students to learn language in small class settings at Camp OFLA. Students practice language by cooking, dancing, singing, playing sports, hiking, and making arts and crafts. They sit by target language to eat meals and sleep in cabins. In the evening students share culture from all the languages through campfires, games and special guests. The week culminates on Saturday morning with breakfast and the final class for parents and friends.
Learn more about this unique summer language camp sponsored by our friends at the Ohio Foreign Language Association.
Employment Opportunities
Virtual Learning Facilitator (part-time, remote), World of Learning Institute, multiple languages
The World of Learning Institute at Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 is seeking part-time facilitators who have a passion for teaching World Languages. Our immediate need is for American Sign Language, Japanese, and Latin. We anticipate needs in Spanish and German as well. (Mandarin, Arabic and French teachers are also welcome to apply on a rolling basis.) PA or other state-level certification preferred.
Our facilitators work from home and host live, virtual World Language instruction using Zoom technology and apply research-based practices, such as using comprehensible input, integrating culture in all lessons and tailoring class activities to meet learners’ interests and needs.
Contact Olivia Grugan at ogrugan@iu08.org.
Spanish Instructor, Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania seeks a temporary full-time Spanish instructor for AY 2025-2026. Please view the job posting for more information.
Spanish Adjunct, Dickinson College
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies at Dickinson College is hiring a part-time adjunct professor to teach undergraduate-level Spanish language and culture courses for the 2025-2026 academic year and when future need arises. The ability to teach Spanish for the Health Professions and/or Spanish for Business is also desirable but not required. Candidates must teach 1-2 in-person courses per semester in Carlisle, PA. More information can be found here. Please contact Elise Bartosik-Velez at bartosie@dickinson.edu if you have any questions.