Spring Conference Held At Farmington Public Library


The CT COLT Spring Conference and Annual meeting 2005 took place at the Farmington Public Library on May 2. The well attended conference began with a very informative and interesting panel presentation on the creative various ways in which world language educators might involve their community in the Year of Languages initiative. The main objective of the discussion was to demonstrate to the participants how they themselves could stage similar events or activities in their respective districts. The panelists included Linda Burk, Lea Graner Kennedy, Jaya Vijayasekar, Richard de Meij and Christi Moraga.

Linda Burk, a Spanish professor from Manchester Community College, explained the Fiesta Costa Rica event which took place in March during National Foreign Language Week at Manchester Community College and the International Day Festival planned for the Fall of 2005.

Lea Graner Kennedy, the Best of Conference 2004 awardee from Mystic Middle School, addressed 3 topics of interest: the Year of Languages Brunch, which she organized, the Mystic Middle Multicultural Magazine to which world language teachers contribute and the Year of Languages event at the State Capitol scheduled for May 4.

Jaya Vijayasekar, supervisor of Foreign Languages for the Vernon Public Schools, and honors student, Kevin Leonardi, told the audience about the Taste of Languages Community event held at the Vernon Center Middle School. At this event all who participated were able to experience a myriad of less commonly taught languages.

Richard de Meij who teaches at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford showed videos of the Public Service Announcements that he and his students created for the Year of Languages. Participants eagerly watched as students reveled in a foreign tongue in front of the camera.

And Christi Moraga, FLES teacher in Farmington and chair of the Rhyme Celebration, told of the Scout Interpreter Day and of the Marlborough Senior Mixing Day. The latter event during which time senior citizens will share their language and culture will be held on June 28.th

At the conclusion of the panel presentation, the following CT COLT members received awards for their outstanding contribution to the organization.


 

Spring Conference 2005 Presentations

 
 

Awardees

Fall conference co-chairs
Vincenza McNulty, Joel Barlow High School, Redding
Jan Picerno, Silas Deane Middle School, Wethersfield

Fall conference exhibitor’s chair
Jaya Vijayasekar, Vernon Public Schools

Poster Contest chair
Ellen Steele, Ph.D., Stamford High School, Stamford

Poetry Contest chair
Marilyn Horn, Coginchaug Regional High School, Durham

Poetry Contest host site coordinator
Elizabeth Roosen, New Britain High School, New Britain

Poetry contest judges chair
Cherie Marceau, Mercy High School, Middletown

Tech conference co chairs
Amanda Robustelli, Bristol Central High School, Bristol
Edgar Roca, Valley Regional High School, Deep River

Tech conference host site coordinator
Lynne Campbell, Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury

Newsletter Editors
Ellen Brookes, Silas Deane Middle School, Wethersfield
Paul St Louis, CT COLT Treasurer

New Board Members
Aileen Dever, Quinnipiac University, Hamden
Carmela Pesca, Central CT State University, New Britain
Faydra Villa, Greater Hartford Classical Magnet

CT COLT Retirees
Nancy Lister, Rockville High School,Vernon
Eve Donigian,Wilton High School, Wilton
David Donigian,Weston High School,Weston
Marilyn Horton, Marlborough Elementary, Marlborough
Alicia Almagro, Glastonbury Public Schools
Marilyn Reid St Joseph High School Trumbell
Gay Rose, John Winthrop Junior High, Deep River

25+ service
Janet Picerno

CT COLT Service to the Board as NECTFL Rep
Marilyn Horton

Spanish scholarship Awardee
Rosalia Pulino Cromwell High School Cromwell

French scholarship Awardee
Patricia Villella Danbury High School Danbury

Awards to the Directors of the Resource Centers
Mireille Déchelette, The Resource Center for the Teaching of French Yale University New Haven

Jacobo Gutiérrez, Education Office Embassy of Spain, Storrs

Best of Conference Award 2004
Lea Graner Kennedy, Mystic Middle School, Mystic

District Teacher of the Year Awardees
Joanne Curley, Plainville High School, Plainville
Jonathan Guyot Smith, Central Middle School, Greenwich
Elizabeth Gannon, Whisconier Middle School, Brookfield
Marilyn Horn, Coginchaug Regional High, Durham

Rhyme Celebration Chair
Christi Moraga,West Woods Upper Elementary, Farmington


Rhyme Celebration Co-Hostesses
Jessica Haxhi, Maloney Interdistrict Magnet, Waterbury
Kazumi Yamashita, Maloney Interdistrict Magnet, Waterbury

Pegasus Pride Awardees
Mary Ann Reid, St Joseph High School, Trumbull
Stephanie Duchesneau, Farmington High School, Farmington

 

 

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