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Bonjour chers collègues!
Twelve years ago, I attended my first OFLTA Conference on the suggestion of my district's Foreign Language Coordinator. New to the profession and alternatively certified, attending the conference was the best way for me to reach out for help. The first person to greet me at the conference site was a very jovial and welcoming Al Gage. When I asked him if I needed to join the OFLTA, he answered me by saying, "Professional teachers join their professional organizations." How right he was!
We come together in the OFLTA to support each other in all areas of World Language teaching, as professional educators committed to the proposition that we are best when we collaborate, share our strengths, and learn with each other. Just as we set high goals for our students, it is here in the OFLTA that we continually find high goals to set for ourselves. Every time I attend an OFLTA event, I come away energized and renewed in my commitment to providing a quality language-learning experience for my students.
These are great times for World Languages in Oklahoma. We have a growing Chinese language presence in our schools and Oklahoma is one of only eight states with a Chinese Teacher Certification test in place. The Memorandum of Understanding between Oklahoma and the Académie d'Amiens is leading to new and exciting programs that are receiving national attention and introducing wonderful learning opportunities for Oklahoma students. Native languages are making great progress in our state and Cherokee will soon have a fully accredited program for highly qualified teachers. Several school districts across our state are updating and adopting new standards-based curricula, winning grants to support World Languages, and recognizing the important role World Languages play in student success. All of this is possible because of committed, professional teachers.
Our OFLTA needs you! Please make sure you have renewed your membership. Invite fellow teachers to join OFLTA. Better yet, invite a colleague to attend OFLTA events. We look forward to seeing you!
Elise Robillard, NBCT
Professeur de français
Westmoore High School
President, Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers’ Association
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