PSMLA News Updates & Reminders

PSMLA Fall Conference – Registration Now Open
Registration is open for PSMLA’s Fall Conference, to be held this Thursday, October 16, and Friday, October 17, in Bethlehem. A Pre-Conference Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15.

“Early bird” discounted registration (a savings of up to $60) ends August 31. Hotel rooms at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem are also available with our discount code, through September 14 or until our room block is full.

Details can be found on psmla.org. Additional information will be posted in the coming weeks.

We hope to see you there as we learn together, recognize outstanding educators and programs, network with vendors and advocates, and strengthen world language education in our state!

Fall Pre-Conference Workshop Announced
Join us for a unique and enriching pre-conference experience that blends local history, cultural immersion, and professional learning. The PSMLA Pre-Conference Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 15, in Historic Bethlehem. Registration includes a guided walking tour,catered lunch at the Luckenbach Mill, and a Language Proficiency Workshop by Language Testing International. Click on the link to see full details. PSMLA members benefit from 5 Act 48 hours and discounted registration.

Pennsylvania Language Forum – Call for Submissions
Do you have an especially engaging lesson? Have you found a tool that enhances your practice? Is there a program you´ve developed that you’re proud of?  PSMLA invites members to submit articles, lesson plans, and research related to the enhancement of world language education. 

The editors are currently accepting submission for the fall edition.

Members are encouraged to submit their entries by August 15.

To learn more about the submission process, please visit the publications tab of the PSMLA website.

The Nancy Zimmerman PSMLA Scholarship for Beginning Teachers
A competitive scholarship to attend the 2025 PSMLA Fall Conference in Bethlehem, PA is available for teachers within their first 5 years of teaching.  The scholarship will pay for registration and rooming for 2 nights.  Visit the PSMLA website for more details.

Deadline: August 15, 2025.​

Important update on education funding
The Trump Administration announced that it would release $5.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 K-12 and adult education funding that it had withheld from allocating to states for more than three weeks. The following programs will now have their funds released: Title I-C Migrant Education; Title II-A educator professional development; Title III English Language Acquisition; Title IV-A flexible health, safety, and well-rounded education funding; and Adult Basic Education.

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

Action Advocacy Day (AAD)
JNCL-NCLIS is hosting Action Advocacy Day on Monday, September 29, 2025.  This is a virtual event where you can advocate for language programs at the state level to gather support for federal funding initiatives. The cost is $150; however, there is a 20% discount with the code: SUMMER.  Please use this registration link to have your voice heard.

Share Your Voice: Survey on PLCs for World Language Teachers
Help contribute to research on World Language teachers’ experiences with Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)! This brief, anonymous survey is part of an IRB-approved study through Longwood University. Your feedback will help highlight teacher perspectives and support professional growth. To participate, visit: https://qualtricsxm97zvz4dhm.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xbNxBbB0bau4HI 

Questions? Contact matthew.bello@live.longwood.edu

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

Employment Opportunities 

Spanish Teacher (FT), South Central PA
The Hempfield School District (Landisville, PA) is looking for qualified candidates for a full-time Spanish teacher position at Landisville Middle School beginning this August.  To learn more or apply, please visit the district website or contact the Human Resources director (hroffice@hempfieldsd.org) for more information.

German Teacher (FT), South Central PA
The Hempfield School District (Landisville, PA) is looking for qualified candidates for a full-time German teacher position to serve at their two middle schools, Centerville Middle School and Landisville Middle School beginning this August.  To learn more or apply, please visit the district website or contact the Human Resources director (hroffice@hempfieldsd.org) for more information.

Spanish Teacher (FT), Central PA
The South Middleton School District (Boiling Springs, PA) is looking for qualified candidates for a full-time Spanish teacher position at Boiling Springs High School beginning this August.  To learn more or apply, please visit the district website (www.smsd.us) or contact the World Language Department Chair, Cindy Bailey (clb2@smsd.us) for more information.  

World Language Teacher (FT), Northeastern PA
A Full Time World Language position is available in the Senior High School in the Harbor Creek School District at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.  Looking for applicants with an active PA certification in French K-12 or any language other than Spanish.  For more information visit the District website www.hcsd.iu5.org, District Info–Departments–Human Resources.  

Spanish Substitute (LTS),  Northwest PA
The North East School District in the town of North East, PA,  (20 miles east of Erie) seeks One (1) Long – Term Spanish Substitute.

  • North East High School
  • Fill temporary vacancy from 8/18/2025 to 1/16/2026.
  • Foreign Language certification required, Spanish preferred.
  • $273.29/Day
  • With Benefits

Applications may be emailed to adminoffice@nesd1.org or delivered to North East School District Administration Office at 50 E. Division Street, North East, PA 16428.