PSMLA Teachers of the Year

Charlene Bigelow has dedicated more than 25 years to inspiring students and advancing world language education in the Downingtown Area School District. A master French teacher, she is recognized for creating a classroom where students gain not only linguistic proficiency but also intercultural competence and global awareness.

As World Language Department Leader at Downingtown High School West, Charlene has made a lasting impact on curriculum design, assessment practices, and mentoring. She recently hosted a student teacher, modeling best practices in instructional design and classroom culture. Her leadership extends to professional development, where she collaborates with colleagues, presents at workshops, and shares innovative strategies.

Charlene’s influence reaches beyond her school. She is an active member of PSMLA and ACTFL, engaging in professional learning and advocating for world languages as a core content area in K–16 education. Her contributions to curriculum development and her willingness to share expertise exemplify her commitment to strengthening the profession.

Charlene’s teaching blends rigor with creativity. She designs immersive learning experiences that allow students to explore francophone cultures, practice meaningful communication, and develop critical thinking skills. Her ability to differentiate instruction ensures that every learner can succeed. Her students graduate with strengthened literacy in both French and English, and with the confidence to connect with diverse perspectives in today’s interconnected world.

Her accomplishments are grounded in a clear vision of the value of language learning. Drawing from research in neuroscience, Charlene highlights how studying another language strengthens cognitive function, enhances literacy, and even contributes to lifelong brain health. She is a passionate advocate for multilingualism as a tool for fostering empathy, building cultural bridges, and preparing students to meet global challenges.

Charlene embodies the qualities celebrated by the PSMLA Teacher of the Year Award: exemplary teaching, leadership in the profession, and unwavering dedication to the growth of students and colleagues. She stands as both a model of excellence and an inspiring representative for world language teachers across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Charlene was selected as the 2026 NECTFL Teacher of the Year and will represent the region at the 2026 ACTFL Convention.

Nathan Campbell is an accomplished Spanish educator with nearly two decades of experience in language instruction, curriculum development, and professional leadership. A teacher at Manheim Central Senior High School since 2008, he has taught all levels of Spanish, including Advanced Placement, and played a key role in redesigning the curriculum to enhance student learning.

Campbell earned his National Board Certification in World Languages in 2010, demonstrating his expertise in subject matter, reflective pedagogical practices, and contributions to the profession—achieving certification on his first attempt. His dedication to language education extends beyond the classroom, serving as Pennsylvania State Director for the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and co-director of the Association of World Language Educators. He has organized international student trips, spearheaded cultural events, and presented at numerous professional conferences including at ACTFL, PSMLA, NECTFL, and Millersville University.

His excellence in teaching has earned him multiple accolades. Including PSMLA’s Outstanding WL Educator Award (2017) and Manheim Central Secondary Teacher of the Year (2013). Nate’s passion for language learning and cultural exchange continues to inspire students and educators alike, making him a deserving recipient of the Pennsylvania Language Teacher of the Year award.

Nate was selected as 2025 NECTFL Teacher of the Year and as 2026 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year in November 2025.

Jenn McGonagle has extensive teaching experience, and stands out for the enthusiasm, innovation, and caring she brings to her students. She has an MEd and Ph.D. in French Literature, with professional certification in both French and Spanish. She strives to render language learning a memorable, enriching and fulfilling journey — an adventure wherein she shares her passion for French and Spanish while nurturing students’ linguistic skills and cultural awareness.

Over her career, Jenn has taught at various educational institutions and has had the pleasure of guiding students from introductory levels in elementary summer school to advanced courses in colleges. She engages students through lively and eclectic teaching methods and she is committed to addressing opportunity gaps. She has created dynamic curriculums that keep students motivated and eager to learn, making language learning not only educational, but simply fun.

Over the years Jenn has presented papers at multiple conferences, been an AP Reader, as well as been awarded various language grants/scholarships (i.e., AATF, French Embassy, Fulbright).

Outside of the classroom, she has organised and facilitated cultural exchange programs and extracurricular clubs such as the Peers and Facilitators, Gay Straight Alliance, Global Minds initiative, Black Student Union, and the French Club. These experiences have enabled her to learn from her students and in turn helped her to then better facilitate a vibrant learning environment where both student and teacher can explore diverse cultures and perspectives. She is a firm believer in promoting tolerance, improving school climates, and championing social justice causes.

When not immersed in the world of languages, you might find her enjoying activities such as alpine skiing, roller-blading, and bouldering. She is also an avid film enthusiast and baker. Recently, she has been relishing her new role as a grandmother.

Karyn Senita is the French Teacher at Grove City Area High School in Mercer County, Pennsylvania and an adjunct Education Professor of World Language Methodologies at Grove City College. Karyn has been in French education for more than 20 years, and she attributes her successes to a growth mindset. Her passion really lies in pre-service teaching formation and mentoring new world language teachers. In the many iterations of her career and working with students and colleagues in varied public and independent schools, Karyn enjoys being an ever-evolving student in the realm of teaching. She’s a self-admitted professional learning enthusiast… from conferences to podcasts to reading the latest research. While at Grove City, Karyn has initiated a Global Scholars program, grown the French program to robust numbers, and continues to advocate for participation in World Language programs at all levels of education. When Karyn isn’t with students, she’s an avid endurance runner, traveler, and mother.

Natalie Puhala has been passionate about world languages since winning a University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms study abroad scholarship in 1992. She has been a Gateway High School Spanish instructor and World Languages Department Chairperson since 2000, leading the department to earn its first PEP Award by implementing a department-wide proficiency assessment. She created Gateway SPIES (Spanish in the Elementary Schools), a virtual program pairing high school Spanish student teachers with district elementary classrooms and classrooms in Mexico. She was selected as NECTFL MEAD Fellow in 2007.

Natalie recognizes the impact of enthusiastic world language educators she has connected with through PSMLA and NECTFL on her continued success. She has been a presenter at numerous PSMLA/NECTFL/ACTFL conferences and workshops and served on the PSMLA Executive Council for two terms.

Barbara Kurtz has taught Spanish in grades 1-12, but happily resides at the 9th-12th grade level at Meadville Area Senior High School in northwest Pennsylvania. She considers it both a great privilege and a tremendous responsibility to introduce her students to new languages, new cultures, and new ways of learning. As a teacher, Barb ponders, “How can I best help my students to see the world, to be curious about other languages and cultures, and to learn to learn for themselves”? Her answer is clear: she must model what she desires to see in her students.

Barb is a role model of work ethic to students and colleagues. She strives for excellence in and out of the classroom, constantly working to improve her practice. She will readily confess, she cannot resist a challenge, a trait that has led to unforgettable milestones: achieving National Board Certification and Renewal, and being recognized as a Finalist for the 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

In addition to teaching, Barb advises Spanish Club and Key Club, and serves with her school’s Attendance Team, communicating with students and families to find ways to improve attendance and academic success. In addition to PSMLA, Barb enjoys membership in the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology (PAECT) and the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY-PA). Barb mentors and speaks to pre-service teachers through the NSTOY-PA TEACH program, and presents at conferences, addressing topics such as language education, classroom connections, professionalism, and of course, her favorite, technology in the classroom. She also blogs about education topics, and has written guest blogs for Alice Keeler and Jennifer Hogan.

When you speak with Barb, ask her what she has learned recently. The answer may be unexpected, as her learning pursuits include crochet and woodworking, and she hopes to add welding to the list soon. And it is certain that she is reading three or four books at any given time. What new adventure awaits, just beyond the next horizon?

ShareableSpanish (website)
Barbara Kurtz: Teacher Mentor (Blog)
@BJKURTZ (Twitter)
Barbara Kurtz (Facebook)

Megan Flinchbaugh is a high school Spanish teacher at Manheim Central High School in Lancaster County. In addition to her teaching and club advisor responsibilities at Manheim Central, Megan is very active in the professional community. At the national level, she has served on the board of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica as editor of Albricias. She currently serves PSMLA as editor of its annual journal Pennsylvania Language Forum and as such sits on the Executive Council. She hopes to continue her work with PSMLA as its second vice-president. Together with her colleague Nathan Campbell, Megan co-founded the regional organization Association of World Language Educators (AWLE) to offer professional development and consulting to world language teachers and departments. Through her involvement in these organizations, Megan discovered the value of connectedness and collaboration. In particular, her work with Nathan has been key to her professional growth and success.

In the classroom, Megan’s passion and goals revolve around inspiring a love of Spanish and lifelong language learning among her students, beginning on the first day of Spanish 1. Her students describe her as hardworking, passionate, encouraging, and supportive, which she strives to be every day for every student.

Megan was selected as the 2020 NECTFL Teacher of the Year and represented our region at the 2020 ACTFL Convention.

Dr. Rich Madel is a Spanish Teacher and the Chairperson of the Department of World Languages in the Colonial School District in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. In this role, Rich programs the curricula of the Spanish, French, and Latin courses from Grades 6 through 12 (Exploratory through AP). Through Rich’s leadership and vision, the Colonial School District has updated its entire curriculum in all modern languages to focus on proficiency development in the three communicative modes with the integration of authentic texts, communicative scenarios, and cultural exploration that prepare learners for success as globally-minded citizens in the real world. This modernization has resulted in his program being awarded by PSMLA as among Pennsylvania’s most exemplary programs.

Rich’s experience in the field began when he received a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in K-12 Education from West Chester University. During that time, Rich was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to conduct research on the Peruvian educational system. He has since earned a Master’s degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies from LaSalle University. Most recently, he earned his Doctorate from Saint Joseph’s University with a research focus on leadership in the field of World Languages and pedagogical practices that support language acquisition and communicative development.

Throughout his career, Rich has been recognized for his contributions both professionally and academically. As a teacher, the Colonial School District has designated him as a Master Teacher twice over for his dedication to best practices and leadership/mentorship roles. Relative to his academic contributions, he received the Most Outstanding Graduate Student Award by LaSalle University for his course work and thesis project that combined language acquisition principals and community development. Moreover, his ideas have been published in ACTFL’s The Language Educator magazine and PSMLA’s Language Forum. He served as member of the PSMLA’s Executive Council from 2015 to 2018 while heading the advocacy and professional development committees.

Rich is highly active as a contributing member of the world language professional learning community and has led nearly 50 professional learning sessions on a variety of topics. His presentations have reached audiences at the local, state, regional, and national level. In 2013, PSMLA voted his presentation on an innovative strategy to use Interactive Read Alouds as the Best of Pennsylvania.