OWLA Awards

Do you have a great world language colleague who is deserving of an OWLA award?

We all know these superstars are out there – so let’s reward them!

The Ohio World Language Association’s (OWLA) Awards Committee is accepting nominations for awards in the categories described below. Nomination letter, cv or résumé, letters of support, and additional support documentation are due by January 1, 2026.

The nomination process is simple and doesn’t take very long. See the information below.

Submit your nomination online here.

General Requirements for OWLA Awards:

OWLA member awards require that the nominee be a member for at least the past two years. Administrator and friend of world language awards do not require nominees to be members. We recommend you obtain the individual’s agreement to be nominated and confirm that s/he is meets the membership requirements.

Awards nominations require the nominee’s curriculum vitae or resume, three letters of support, and documentation to support nomination.

OWLA Awards Policies:

To be considered for an OWLA member award, one must be a currently active OWLA member and a member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years, except for the Leona Glenn and Beginning Teacher Awards. OWLA board and committee members are not eligible for an award that is related to their current service to the OWLA board.

Leona Glen Awards for Outstanding World Language Teacher

Description

Three awards: Elementary world language educator; Middle School/Jr. High world language educator; High School world language educator

An active OFLA member for at least five years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
Outstanding educator
Demonstrated a minimum of ten years of successful classroom experience in world language teaching
Innovative contributions to world language teaching
Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
More than half-time in teaching a world language

Previous Recipients of Leona Glenn Awards

2025 Grace Paul

2024 Na Li & Gildy Smith

2020 Gary DiBianca

2018 Mary Townsend

2017 Rebecca Wiehe

2015 Lisa Sobb

2013 Mary Jo Behrensmeyer

2012 Sharon Dunfee & Ila Henning

2011 Mary Goodwin

2010 Stacy Knipp

2009 Gretchen Petrie

2008 Debbie McCorkle

Ed Allen Award for Outstanding College World Language Instructor

Description

An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
Outstanding educator
Innovative contributions to world language teaching
Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
More than half-time in field at the post-secondary level

Previous Recipients of the Ed Allen Award

2019 Dr. Jennifer Behney

2010 Dr. Kirsten Halling

2008 Akiko Jones

Distinguished Career Award

Description

OFLA/OWLA member for at least three years
Retired world language educator
Exceptional cumulative career teaching, service and/or other

language-related accomplishments

Outstanding educator
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
Outstanding service to the profession including service to OWLA

Previous Recipients of Distinguished Career Award

2025 Dr. Lori Winne

2022 Roz Terek

2019 Martha Pero Halemba & Paula Sondej

2018 Teri Wiechart

2014 Dr. Susan Colville-Hall

2013 Dr. Charles Hancock

2012 Dr. Frank Triplett

2011 Dr. Rita Stroempl

2010 Jeri Lynn Baxstrom

2008 Philippa "Piper" Brown Yin

Beginning Teacher Award

Description

A currently active OFLA member
educators with 1-2 years’ experience, must have been an OFLA member for at least one year
Educators with 3-5 years’ experience, must have been an OFLA member for at least two years
Outstanding educator
five years or less of teaching experience at all levels, K-16
Innovative contributions to world language teaching
More than half-time in teaching a world language

Previous Recipients of Beginning Teacher Award

2023 Haylee Ziegler

2017 Kazumi Yamasaki

2016 Nicole Hanlon

2015 Rui Tan

2014 Robin Boling

2013 Estela Muñoz-Rodríguez

2012 Tatiana Jordan

2011 Maria Schiele

2010 Elizabeth Hanlon & Jennifer Hambrick

2009 Mr. Matt Bertke

2008 Bonnie Greer

2007 Rogar Schneider

2006 Aimee Lynn Dria & Audra Jurmanovich

Outstanding Professional Service Award

Description

An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
Outstanding educator
Innovative contributions to world language teaching
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
More than half-time in teaching a world language
More than five years of teaching experience

Previous Recipients of Outstanding Professional Service Award

2015 Jeanne Schulté

2014 Martha Pero

2013 Dr. Jeannine Subisak

2011 Dr. Deborah W. Robinson

2010 Lori Winne

2008 Foreign Language Advisory Council

2006 (Model Curriculum) Writing Team

Community Service Award

Description

An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
Outstanding instructor
Innovative contributions to world language teaching
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world languages
Carries world language news/message/inspiration beyond the school or school system
Outstanding public relations
More than half-time in teaching a world language

Previous Recipients of the Community Service Award

2023 Paulina Montaldo

2008 Elba Alicia Pagán

Theresa Minick World Language Technology Integration Award

Description

An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
Outstanding educator
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
Outstanding service to the profession including at least some kind of service to OFLA
Innovative use of technology in world language education
More than half-time in teaching a world language

Previous Recipients of Theresa Minick Award

2019 Kasumi Yamazaki

2018 Leah Henson

2017 Diane Ceo-DiFrancesco

2016 John Word

2015 OFLA Tech Integration Committee

2012 OFLA Technology & World Language Committee

2010 Kathleen Acosta & Amy Dunaway-Haney

2007 Jörg Walte

2006 Colleen Blaurock

Publications Award

Description

An active OFLA member for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous two years
Outstanding educator
Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
Outstanding professional publication(s) related to world language education, for example:
- Refereed journal
- Pedagogical book
- Editorial services
- Materials for student use
Candidates should have contributed in quality and quantity to more than one category
More than half-time in field

Previous Recipients of Publications Award

2018 Dr. Martha Castañeda

2017 Dr. Brigid Burke

Outstanding Program Award

Description

May be awarded to an Elementary–Secondary Level and/or to a College-University Level program.

Currently active OFLA members, the majority of whom have been members for at least three years, of which two must have been in the previous 2 years
Program that goes far beyond normal world language education activities
Program that has some unique distinction
Program that involves a group of educators
Outstanding educators
Innovative contributions to world language teaching
Successful in expanding/maintaining enrollment in world language
Outstanding service to the profession including service to OFLA
Program has been in existence at least three years