PSMLA Webinar: Save your Sanity!
Join us for our next webinar, “Save your Sanity” with PSMLA EXCO member, Kaytlyn Byers. It will occur on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30-7:30 via Zoom. The event is free for members and $15 for non-members, with Act 48 hours available to members. Visit psmla.org to register.
PSMLA Awards Nominations Now Open
Celebrate impactful world language educators and programs by submitting nominations for PSMLA awards by March 31. Read the details at the links below:
- PSMLA Teacher of the Year
- PSMLA Outstanding World Language Educator (K-12 and Post-secondary)
- Frank Mulhern Leadership Award
- PSMLA Merit Award
Additionally, exemplary middle school, high school, and university language students can be honored with a PSMLA Student Recognition Certificate. Available exclusively to the students of current PSMLA members, these certificates are personalized and emailed to members at no cost. Please note that the HS Graduating Student Award will not be offered this year.
Donate to Support New World Language Teachers
The Nancy Zimmerman PSMLA Scholarship for Beginning Teachers supports world language educators in their first five years of teaching by providing funding to attend the annual PSMLA conference. The scholarship promotes teacher retention and offers meaningful professional learning opportunities for educators early in their careers. To make a donation to the scholarship fund, please visit our donation page.
PEP Deadline EXTENDED!
Have an exemplary program? Apply to the PSMLA Exemplary Program (PEP) Award and get the recognition that your program deserves! Learn more on our website.
The submission date for this year’s PEP applications, Saturday, February 28, 2026, is fast approaching. Online submissions must be sent by 11:59 p.m. and hard-copy applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2026.
Feel free to contact us with any last-minute questions & / or concerns.
Mina.Levenson@gmail.com
isabel@psmla.org
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 spring edition.
Members are encouraged to submit their entries by February 15.
To learn more about the submission process, please visit the publications tab of the PSMLA website.
PSMLA Workshop at Messiah University – Registration Open
Join 2025 Outstanding World Language Educator Sarah Dutton on Saturday, March 28, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg for the workshop “Awakening Curiosity in World Language Classrooms in the Age of AI.” Lunch is included. PSMLA members register at a reduced rate and are eligible for 3 Act 48 hours. See the workshop webpage for details.
PSMLA Survey Request: Cross-curricular Collaboration
PSMLA’s Advocacy Committee would like to hear from our members and how often, if at all, your WL department collaborates with other departments in your school district. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey (less than 5 minutes). We appreciate your input!
Take the survey now!
Celebrate 50 Years of Innovation in Language Teaching!
Be part of the 50th Annual Methodology Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages at IUP — a landmark gathering honoring half a century of innovation, collaboration, and professional excellence.
Enjoy energizing sessions, meaningful networking, and a keynote from a distinguished IUP alumna, whose three decades of leadership have helped shape World Language in Pennsylvania!
Join us on April 10, as we look back, move forward, and celebrate the future of language teaching.
Register today and help mark this historic milestone!
Register today and help mark this historic milestone!
AATSP 12th Annual Swap Shop – March 28, 2026 (Pitt Greensburg)
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) invites you to the 12th Annual Swap Shop on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 9:00am–3:00pm at Pitt Greensburg.
This immersive Spanish-language event brings together K–16 educators to network, exchange creative teaching ideas, and learn more about Latino culture and communities. The day will include swap shop presentations with digital handouts, an AATSP update, and a keynote by Sister Janice Vanderneck on the work of Casa San José in supporting the local Hispanic community. ACT 48 credits will be available.
Cost: Free for AATSP members; $20 for non-members (payable at the event).
RSVP by Friday, March 20
Interested in presenting? Submit your name, presentation title, and school affiliation to silvina.orsatti@pitt.edu by Sunday, March 15. This year’s theme is culture and/or community.
We hope you will join us for a day of collaboration, inspiration, and professional learning in Spanish.
📣AATSP–KWL Award in Leadership & Program Innovation
Klett World Languages and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) are proud to offer the Klett World Languages Award in Leadership and Program Innovation in Spanish and Portuguese. This award recognizes outstanding Spanish and Portuguese programs at the K–12 and higher education levels that demonstrate innovation, excellence, and measurable impact on student learning.
🔹 Award Amount: $1,000 for each of two selected programs (awarded to the institution/department)
🔹 Who Can Apply: Innovative Spanish or Portuguese programs at the K–12 or higher education level
🔹 Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
🔹 Award Announcement: April 17, 2026
How to Apply: Submit a nomination dossier (one PDF, max. 10 pages) via email with the subject line:
Klett–AATSP Award Application – [Institution Name]
👉 Learn more & apply: https://klettwl.com/aatsp-kwl-award/
Innovation in World Language: Teacher Convening – Register Now!
Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 8:30-3:30
Location: Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Description and Registration: Learn More and Register Here
*Note: Content will be different from last year’s workshop at the AIU
Questions? Contact rachel.mcveagh@aiu3.net
AATSP Rising Educator Award
The AATSP Exams (NSE), a program of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) will offer up to five scholarships valued to $250 for a new teacher to complete an online course with the University of Salamanca. Apply online!
If you’re a full-time Spanish or Portuguese teacher, registered to administer the NSE, NSC, NPE, or NSA in the 2025–26 school year, and in the early stages of your career (five years or fewer), this opportunity is for you! Please note that all courses are taught entirely in Spanish. Click here to view the list of offered courses.
Applications Due: March 1, 2026
Workshop at Mercyhurst University in Erie – Registration Open
Join fellow language educators on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a workshop on the state of world language education in PA. This workshop will also include idea sharing over lunch. Act 48 hours are available. Click here to register. Please direct any questions to Dr. Alice Edwards at aedwards@mercyhurst.edu.
Classroom Microgrants for Language Educators
The ACTFL/Vista Microgrants Program for Language Educators is an initiative aimed at supporting and empowering those who are dedicated to promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity in the classroom. This program provides small grants to K-12 educators who are passionate about teaching languages and incorporating cultural elements into their lessons.
For more details please visit the ACTFL website.
Advocacy Announcements
JNCL-NCLIS Releases World Language Survey Findings & Recommendations
Stay in the know by viewing what educators in 37 states are saying. The results provide timely insight into both the challenges facing language programs and the innovative practices being implemented to sustain and strengthen them.
Review the survey findings here!
Employment Opportunities
Program Leader – Summer Language and Culture Programs, CIEE Global Navigator High School Study Abroad
Teachers of Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, and Korean are invited to apply for temporary summer program leader positions abroad for the duration of 4 or 8 weeks between June and August 2026. Program leaders facilitate language learning and cultural understanding alongside study center teachers, complete training, and receive equivalent of 70 PD hours. Compensation includes weekly stipend, accommodation, travel expenses, visa, and insurance. If you believe that studying abroad brings people closer together and want to help US high school students safely experience the world as their mentor and leader, apply now at www.ciee.org/programleaders or request more information at ProgramLeaders@ciee.org
Spanish Professors (Adjunct), Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia
Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is seeking adjunct professors for Spanish to teach in-person classes: Elementary and Intermediate I courses on Monday and Wednesday mornings; and, an Elementary Spanish course on Thursday mornings.
For further information, contact:
Sister Mary Helen Kashuba SSJ, DML and: Ines Mula Garrido
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia PA 19118
kashubam@chc.edu
MulaGarridoI@chc.edu
French/Gifted Teacher (FT), Western PA
The Elizabeth Forward School District has an immediate need for a 1/2 French & 1/2 Gifted teacher. This is one (1) full-time contract position with all rights and privileges of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Elizabeth Forward School District and the Elizabeth Forward Education Association.
Candidates should be familiar with CANVAS and skilled with technology. Elizabeth Forward SD is 1:1 with student iPad use district-wide.
Qualified candidates possessing proper PDE teacher certification should send an email expressing interest with a resume attached to Mrs. Connie Brown, Confidential Secretary to the Human Resources Office, at hr@efsd.net. Please identify ‘French/Gifted teacher’ in the Subject Line.
Deadline: Until the position is filled.
PSMLA Resources
New Resource: National Board Certification
A new member resource page has been added to psmla.org on National Board Certification. Read about the benefits of this recognition, candidate support, and its connection to Act 48 hours and Level II certification for public school teachers. This page can be found on the Resources menu on psmla.org and is linked here.
2026 WL events hosted by PA universities for HS students
PSMLA has worked to collect information on different world language opportunities around our state! Learn about WL events hosted by PA universities for high school students. These events create excitement for language learning, recognize linguistic knowledge and cultural awareness and create a connection between secondary and postsecondary institutions.
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.