2023 UofM Language Fair Teacher of the Year

Pictured (left to right): Jackie Robert (EF Tours), Jessica Charlton (Medical District High School), Maria Magee (White Station High School), Malia Rummell (EF Tours), Nacole Espada (East High School), Robert Kelz (Chair, University of Memphis Department of World Languages and Literatures).

Maria Olaiz Magee, Spanish Teacher from White Station High School has been selected by the 2023 UofM Language Fair Committee as the 2023 UofM Language Fair Teacher of the Year.  She will receive a $500 domestic flight voucher from EF Education First.  

Magee and the other two nominees, Jessica Charlton (Spanish Teacher from Medical District High School) and Nacole Espada (Spanish Teacher from East High School), also received a book set of classical Spanish literature from Vista Higher Learning.  

TEACHER OF THE YEAR DESCRIPTION

At every annual University of Memphis Language Fair, a MidSouth world language teacher of courses earning high school credit is recognized as the University of Memphis Language Fair Teacher of the Year. This year's award of a $500 travel voucher is sponsored by EF Educational Tours.  For more information about EF Tours or the travel voucher award, contact our regional Educational Tour Consultant, Malia Rummell (malia.rummell@ef.com).

ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER OF THE YEAR

NEW:  Nominees must have had registered students in the UofM Language Fair within the past two years. 

Nominations are encouraged for past candidates who did not win the award.  Once a teacher wins the UofM Language Fair Teacher of the Year Award, they are no longer eligible to be nominated again.

NOMINATIONS

• Nominations require a nomination letter and at least one letter of recommendation.  
• The nomination letter and the letter of recommendation cannot come from the same person.
• The nomination letter must include:
  
  • Nominee's Name
  • School
  • Language instructed
  • Level(s) instructed
• Nominations/Letters of recommendation may be made by students, fellow teachers, or school administrators.
• Nominations must include at least one letter of recommendation in which the nominee's personal commitment to world language education is directly addressed. A maximum of three letters of recommendation from students, fellow teachers, or school administrators are allowed.

SUBMISSION

Submissions are closed for the 2023 Language Fair.

AWARD SELECTION AND PRESENTATION

• Once a complete nomination is received, the Fair co-directors will contact the nominee and request the following from the nominee: (1) an updated CV or resume and (2) a philosophy of teaching statement.
• The University of Memphis Language Fair committee will select the recipient of the award.
• Qualities especially to be regarded in considering the candidates include but are not limited to overall teaching ability and success, pedagogical innovation, promotion of world language study at the secondary level and in general, professional activity relevant to foreign language study, organization of special events or programs at nominee's school, etc.
• Presentation of the award is made at the Language Fair Awards Ceremony on the day of the Language Fair.

Last year's recipient of the UofM Language Fair Teacher of the Year award was Samia Khouzam. In recognition of her contributions to world language education, she received a $500 travel voucher from EF Education First. The full press release can be viewed here. Congratulations, Mrs. Khouzam!  

Pictured from left to right:

• Dr. William Thompson, Chair of the Department of World Languages and Literatures and Associate Professor of French at the University of Memphis
• Malia Rummell, Strategic Partnerships Manager for Tennessee and Alabama at EF Educational Tours 
• Samia Khouzam, French Teacher at St. Mary's Episcopal School and 2022 UofM Language Fair Teacher of the Year
• Lauren Rogers, Head of Upper School at St. Mary's Episcopal School

Other EF Awards 

For more information about EF Educational Tours or other travel awards, contact our regional Educational Tour Consultant, Malia Rummell.

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