PNCFL presents three awards annually to oustanding professionals in language education. These awards include the K-12 Language Teacher of the Year, the Ray Verzasconi Northwest Postsecondary Teacher of the Year, and the Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of World Languages. PNCFL will recognize this year's award candidates at a formal ceremony during their state's foreign language association fall conference. State organizations are encouraged to nominate members for the 2010 awards. Please contact your state representative for additional information.

2009 K-12 Language Teacher of the Year Amy Velazquez: Evanston Middle School, Evanston, WY

Amy teaches Spanish language, culture and dance to grades 6, 7, and 8 at Evanston Middle School in Evanston, WY. In her 19 years of teaching Amy has made it her goal to give students an opportunity to experience life with a much broader view of the world. In 2006 Amy’s district named her Teacher of the Year and in 2008 the state of Wyoming made her Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. Amy’s dedication and hard work as a teacher paid off in 2007 when she completed her National Board Certification. In her community, Amy has become known for the annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta she throws with her students. The event not only teaches students about diversity, but also educates them about the entire process of planning, implementing, and performing at a community festival. One resident wrote, “Her vision, now in its 10^th year, offers our community the opportunity to experience and learn about another culture. Through her hard work and effort, our community is able to celebrate our cultural differences while learning how similar we really are.”

2009 Ray Verzasconi Northwest Postsecondary Teacher of the Year Dr. Paloma Martínez-Carbajo: PLU, Tacoma, WA

Paloma Martinez-Carbajo of Tacoma, Washington currently teaches Spanish at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and serves as Coordinator of their Spanish Language Program. She has served many different leadership roles in the Juan de Fuca, Washington chapter of the American Association of Teachers Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) and on the board of the Washington Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT). Likewise, her service to PLU and the larger community makes her a role model for her students and colleagues alike. Paloma has had the opportunity to develop and teach innovative courses, revealing her passion for literature. One of her colleagues wrote, “Paloma has demonstrated the ability to communicate with individuals from multicultural backgrounds, to motivate and encourage people to improve themselves. She is committed to new and innovative methods of teaching and is not afraid to challenge herself and others with new endeavours.”

2009 Outstanding Contribution to the Teaching of World Languages Dr. Patricia L. Rounds : UO, Eugene, OR

Pat Rounds has served the University of Oregon and the surrounding community for over 20 years through her roles as a teacher, researcher, teacher trainer, and administrator. Though Pat has since moved on from the Middle/Secondary Education Program at the College of Education, her influence lives on in the lives of her students. Over the years, Pat has helped to develop many other influential programs such as IGTF (International Graduate Teaching Fellows) and AEIS (American English for International Students). One colleague at the American English Institute at the University of Oregon said, “She has been a guiding influence on the development and career paths of countless numbers of professionals in this field, many of whom have gone on to assume their own positions of leadership in language education.”

Click here to view a complete list of previous award winners