 The 2018-19 Idaho World Languages Teacher of the Year is Cyndi Cook, German teacher at Mountain Home High School. The Idaho Association of Teachers of Language and Culture (IATLC) recognized Mrs. Cook’s outstanding contributions to World Language teaching. As the association’s Teacher of the Year, she will serve as an advocate for World Language education in Idaho. She joined IATLC in the first year of teaching back in the late 80's, and has gained valuable insight and support from all the teachers she has gotten to know in the many years she has taught in Idaho and been active in IATLC. Cook states that "IATLC played a very important role in my development as a teacher early on, and it is a very valuable organization for FL teachers in Idaho."
According to fellow German educator Cassie Shelton, “Cyndi is innovative in her teaching style and she is always thinking outside the box. Nothing is too messy, elaborate or time-consuming if it helps her students learn language.” Mrs. Cook has taught for both Mountain Home High (1987-1998 and 2009-Present) and Boise State University offering Concurrent Credit courses to high school students. Additionally, Cook has coordinated the GAPP program (German American Partnership Program) for Mountain Home High School since 2013. In her “spare” time, Mrs. Cook has transcribed the memoirs of a World War II pilot whose missions took him over a good portion of Germany, and works on an additional transcription and translation project for a woman born in Prague who can only recall her experiences in German. During the fall she volunteers her time with the high school swim team. She's been married to her very supportive husband David for over 30 years and has three grown daughters who also speak German!  For the 2019 IATLC Annual State Conference on October 3rd and 4th at College of Idaho in Caldwell, the Spanish section will be awarding two $80 scholarships to cover the cost of conference registration and IATLC dues. Teachers that are new to the profession and continuing teachers may apply.
Check us out at iatlc_org or search IATLC. We'll be updating our Instagram with conference updates and news from language teaching around the state. Got something cool you want to brag about? Email jacquelinemwoods1@gmail.com, iatlcwebmaster@gmail.com, or message us on Facebook or Instagram. 
Opportunities to learn other languages are limited, especially, in Idaho. Many foreign language teachers lack sufficient support and may not have access to high-quality teaching resources. The Pathways Open Educational Resource (OER) Repository, an initiative from the Boise State University Department of World Languages, is an open and collaborative network of instructional materials and professional development created by and uniquely for Idaho’s K-16 language teachers and students.
Teachers and students participating in the Pathways Project come from different fields of study and schools across Idaho to create open (i.e., free), digital activities that support the teaching and learning of foreign languages and promote intercultural competence. We hope to impact the opportunities learners have to connect to the global world and want to connect with you! We are excited to announce a special Open House for Idaho K-16 second language instructors. This event will take place on April 26th, from 5:00pm-6:30pm and participants will have the option to attend virtually or face-to-face! Please RSVP via Paperless Post and if you have not yet received an invitation, kindly send amberhoye@boisestate.edu an email and she will make sure you receive one. The Online Master of Arts in Spanish
The MA in Spanish is a fully online, year-round, 30 credit program of study that provides high school teachers of Spanish and other individuals seeking to reach an advanced level of proficiency the opportunity to attain the qualifications and language skill level required to participate effectively in a variety of educational and professional settings. Students are encouraged to personalize their program of study by including nine credits of elective coursework in Spanish, Spanish for the Professions, or in another approved area of study. Rolling admissions means that students may begin their studies in fall, spring, or summer semesters. IATLC is pleased to announce that Darcy Rogers, the founder of Organic World Language (OWL), will offer a keynote address and interactive workshop at this year’s fall conference, ‘Language and Culture in Motion’!!! Check out this dynamic methodology in the video below!  Registration is open for the 2018 IATLC Fall conference, October 4th - 5th at Columbia High School in Nampa! Please see our conference website for more information and to register. Presenters are needed, too!
John was the Idaho Association of Teachers of Languages and Cultures Teacher of the Year for 1994-1995. This Genesee native stretched the world view for many students and colleagues alike with his integration of language and history. His 75 years were pebbled with numerous examples of calm sharing of knowledge and new adventures. Many Idaho students had their first foreign experience thanks to his willingness to help them travel. He was at the core of German teachers in Idaho while at Nampa, but the state's weak response to the linguistic needs of its students never detoured him from doing his best to compensate for the short-comings of the legislature and school districts.
We are excited to announce that our next fall conference will take place October 4th-5th, 2018 at Columbia High School in Nampa. The theme for this year's conference is "Languages in Motion." We will share more details as they become available.
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