Western New York Foreign Language Educators' Council (WNYFLEC) - Sacred Heart Academy - February 29, 2020

2020 WNYFLEC / NYSAFLT Regional Conference

Leap Into Languages

Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart

February 29, 2020

On Saturday, February 29, 2020, the Western New York Foreign Language Educators’ Council (WNYFLEC) held its 2020 regional conference at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart.  This event welcomed over 60 teachers from 36 different districts.  The theme for this year’s event was “Leap Into Languages”, which was illustrated by Katrina Lee,  9th grader at Cleveland Hill High School (see below).   The conference included four sessions on 90% Target Language Use by Melanie Thomas, Integrated Performance Assessments by Kristen D’Alessandro, Goal: Proficiency, Now What? By Walter Hopkins, Assessing Performance by Sheri Green, and a World Language Update by Candace Black from the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages.

WNYFLEC is a regional organization of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT), providing professional learning and networking opportunities for Western NY teachers.  It was founded by Robert Murphy, Antony Papalia and Joseph Vocolo in 1970 and became the first regional world language organization granted a charter of recognition by NYSAFLT. WNYFLEC continues to be a driving force in providing its members with up-to-date and interesting information through its frequent meetings, the Regional Conference, Foreign Language Week Kickoff, and a variety of cultural events.  It provides to its members the possibilities of winning scholarships, awards, and grant monies annually. Activities such as the S.T.A.R. Ceremony and Poster Contest directly involve the students of WNYFLEC members and allow them the opportunity to express themselves creatively, while receiving recognition for their efforts.  Members of the WNYFLEC Board Members include:  Kristina Strauss (President), Kellie Maranto (1st Vice President), Peggy Lucero (2nd Vice President), Julie Aguglia (3rd Vice President), Amanda Boos (Treasurer), Jamie Engl (Recording Secretary), and Megan Fleck (Corresponding Secretary).