Election 2016

Biography/Vision for PSMLA My name is Jean M. Copeland and I have been teaching French since 1997. I came to teaching French after having had careers in the Fashion and retail industries. During my first year of teaching, I joined AATF, and started my students taking Le Grand Concours each year. In the years since I have been teaching, our field of second language acquisition has continued to evolve. It has been exciting as well as challenging from time to time. I encourage and challenge my students to speak, “en français” all the time!! After all, communication is what is most important. I am now the Department Chair for Masterman’s World Language Department. As PSMLA moves forward, we need to continue to not only teach our languages, but to continue to show our students in the classroom and out, that their speaking a second language is not only essential in our ever-changing global world, but their knowing and understanding of another language and culture makes them stronger individuals as well. We must also continue to bring to the attention our colleagues' workshops and activities that keep us moving forward and advancing our knowledge and skills in second language acquisition.

Biography/Vision: It’s an honor to be considered for the Executive Council of the PSMLA. As Supervisor of Teacher Education at West Chester University (2013 – present), I have served as chaperone for our teacher candidates at the PSMLA Conference and I’ve seen the benefits that we all are afforded through their participation. In October 2015, I served on the PSMLA conference committee and supervised a vendor’s booth while chaperoning 14 teacher candidates. As a member of the Executive Council, I would continue to promote PSMLA by facilitating interaction and collaboration amongst teacher candidates, new teachers, seasoned teachers, retired teachers, post-secondary institutions and local communities. I would lobby for a strong voice in PDE; one that would particularly advocate for FLES (K-5) education. In my first three years at WCU, I have been very active on this front: co-presenting on FLES at PSMLA; serving as consultant for the Bilingual Education program at Oberle Elementary School; and assisting Downingtown SD with their hybrid FLES program. I believe PSMLA’s future lies in creating opportunities for early and continued participation by all, ensuring that PSMLA has a strong voice within PDE, and promoting FLES education throughout the state. Thank you for your consideration.

I am an Assistant Professor of Spanish at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. My work includes foreign language education, program assessment, technology, and second language writing at all levels. In addition to my work with PSMLA, I am active in ACTFL and currently serve as president of the Appalachian Professional Language Educators’ Society (APPLES), a local collaborative of foreign language teachers in Central/Western PA. As a current member of the PSMLA Executive Committee, I have worked with a NECTFL sponsored mentoring program, served on the awards, membership and publications committees, and currently serve as the chair of the publications committee. As part of the publications committee, I edited the PSMLA newsletter and collaborated on the monumental task of revamping and updating the PSMLA website that you are now reading. I look forward to continuing to be involved with PSMLA and ExCo as we continue our mission to support foreign language educators throughout the state of PA!

A native of Trujillo, Peru, Isabel holds an undergraduate degree in Foreign Language Education from the National University of Trujillo (Peru), an MA in Japanese Linguistics from Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and a PhD in Linguistics from Kobe University (Japan). Isabel teaches Japanese and Spanish at the Pittsburgh Public Schools. A member of curriculum, and assessment committees in her district, Isabel, a National Board Certified Teacher, has developed and implemented the Japanese Programs at Perry Traditional Academy and Allderdice High School-Pittsburgh Public Schools. In addition, she is recipient of a number of grants to support her programs and has been a presenter at state, regional and national conferences. She also served as an Editorial Board member of the Foreign Language Annals, (ACTFL) from 2004 to 2011. Isabel, named 2008 PSMLA Educator of the year, is a member of the National Leadership Program for Japanese Teachers. As the flagship association of World Language teachers in Pennsylvania, PSMLA is the professional organization for support, advocacy, professional development, and networking for teachers and students of World Languages. Isabel is committed to serve to keep PSMLA a strong place for advocacy during such a critical time for the advancement of World Languages.