*** THIS WEEK*** PSMLA December Webinar – Free for Members
Join us for the next webinar in our fall series, “Simple AI Tools to Save Teacher Time” with Cherie Garrett. It will occur on Wednesday, December 3, from 6:30-7:30pm 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.
*** THIS WEEK*** PEP Awards: Question and Answer Webinar
Are you in the process of organizing your PEP information?
Would you like some assistant and support?
PSMLA will sponsor a webinar/discussion session to help you with your PEP application.
It is free and open to all.
Thursday, December 4th at 7pm.
Please register online to learn more.
We look forward to working with you!
Mina and Isabel
PEP Co-chairs
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.
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
Post-secondary survey to collect important data
ACTFL developed a national study to investigate why undergraduates do and do not study world languages. Post-secondary institutions are needed to participate in this study!! Please reply to research@actfl.org by December 8, 2025, with the subject line “National Study on Motivation for Learning languages.” if you are willing to help.
Workshop at Mercyhurst University in Erie – Save the Date
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. To be added to the email list for future updates on this event, please email 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.
Stay Connected with the AATSP Community!
Spanish and Portuguese teachers are invited to be part of an inspiring year ahead with the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). If you haven’t joined our vibrant professional community yet, now is the perfect time—AATSP membership offers exclusive benefits, including access to our student exams, scholarship opportunities, publications, and a network of passionate language educators.
We’re now accepting proposals for the 2026 AATSP Annual Conference, taking place July 8–11 in Orlando, Florida. Share your expertise, classroom innovations, and research with colleagues from across the country. Proposal submissions are due February 22, so be sure to submit yours soon. For more information, visit: www.aatsp.org/page/2026Conference
Planning to attend? Early Bird Registration is open through December 31, offering the best rate for educators who want to join us for four days of learning, collaboration, and celebration of Spanish and Portuguese language teaching.
AATSP members can now register their students for the National Spanish Exam (NSE), National Spanish Challenge (NSC), and National Portuguese Exam (NPE). Registration for all three assessments is open now through January 31, 2026. These exams are a valued benefit of AATSP membership—supporting language achievement, classroom engagement, and student recognition. To register, visit: www.nationalspanishexam.org/exams
We encourage you to explore our websites to learn more about our conference, exams, scholarships, and the many ways AATSP supports language educators at every stage of their careers. Discover the value of AATSP membership at: www.aatsp.org/page/MemberBenefits
If you teach Spanish or Portuguese, we hope you’ll join us—and if you’re already part of the AATSP family, thank you for helping us strengthen and celebrate our shared profession!
Employment Opportunities
Program Leader – Summer 2026, Language and Culture Programs, CIEE Global Navigator High School Study Abroad
Teachers of Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, and Korean are invited to apply for temporary summer program leader positions in over 20 counties 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
German Teacher (FT), South Central PA
The Tri-Valley School District is accepting applications for a Secondary Foreign Language Teacher in German. The position has historically been connected to our community through its Pennsylvania Dutch and German heritage. For more than a decade, our German courses have also partnered with the Lloyd Gymnasium, a school in Bremerhaven, Germany as part of a student exchange program.
Send letter of interest, standard teaching application, resume, transcripts, copy of PA teaching certificate, references and clearances attention to Mr. Matthew Horoschak, Superintendent, Tri-Valley School District by email to: EMPLOYMENT@TVDAWGS.NET.
Click HERE for more information.