President’s Welcome
 Salvete, comites!
When I rejoined OFLTA several years ago, I never imagined that I would be taking office as its president only a few years later. But it was meant to be! I must once again give the credit to my OFLTA mentor, Deborah Dobbs, for setting an example of involvement, dedication, and forward thinking. Without her guidance and encouragement, I would not have made the connections that led to this moment. And that is the theme of my message: CONNECTIONS!
OFLTA has been connecting world language teachers for professional development and mutual support since its inception. When I moved to Oklahoma in 1976, I had no idea that teachers would have such a strong network of support. Very soon after taking my first teaching job, I was contacted by OFLTA about the fall conference. I decided to attend when I learned that the other language teachers would be going, and that there would be meetings for Latin teachers. We met at the Skirvin Hotel, where we had a national speaker for the keynote, and were served ice water from silver pitchers handled by uniformed waiters. Crystal chandeliers illuminated our plenary. It made me feel that being a language teacher was very important. I looked forward to those meetings each year. I learned that foreign language teaching had national and local concerns that I had never realized. I met Latin teachers from all over the state, and learned about a student organization called the Oklahoma Junior Classical League. I admired the Board tremendously for putting on such fabulous conferences that appealed to teachers from many different languages. Every time Al Gage made a speech about what was going on at the State Department of Education, I felt proud to be included as a transplanted Texan. I was a better, more confident teacher, knowing that these systems were in place to undergird my mission as an education professional. Throughout my years of teaching, OFLTA has been there for me as a teacher, and I am honored to serve on your Executive Board as a small repayment for what I have received.
Have we connected with you in OFLTA? What is your OFLTA story? I’m betting that each of our members has one or more compelling reasons why our professional organization is vitally important to them. Would you share your experience with those who don’t realize the huge difference that being connected with us can make for them? OFLTA is for all language teachers, regardless of whether they teach Spanish, Kiowa or Chinese, or even Latin. Our strength lies in presenting a compelling picture of professional excellence through our connections to each other and the world, as the Oklahoma Foreign Language Teachers Association. Help OFLTA strengthen its connections in your building. #Winning!
Your fan and President,
Stephanie Molchan
To read messages from past presidents, click here.
|