Bonjour mes collègues!    
C'est bientôt la Rentrée ou même déjà vécue pour certains!

Am looking forward to having more frequent communication with you, the leaders of your AATF chapters, and sending you more frequent blog entries.  At the Delegate Assembly in Saguenay, I mentioned in my report the value of keeping our members tied to their professional organization and am making that one of my new goals.  A shout-out goes to Chicago/N IL President, Martha Behlow, who has been sending weekly email messages to members and has provided me with a great communication model!

Here is a link that could be shared with the members of your chapter.  It shows how an American school can pair up with a school in France:
                        http://frenchlanguage.frenchculture.org/teach/school-pairing
This kind of pairing is an excellent way to show administrators,
school boards, and the community that French is relevant.  It also certainly offers some incredibly "authentic resources" and an "audience other than the teacher" that have become "de rigueur"!

On this same page, teachers can subscribe to the education newsletter from the Cultural Services.  It's a great way to find out about student contests.  If you click on "French Culture" at the top you have access to another newsletter that is more general but leads you to info about cultural events in your area: http://frenchculture.org/.  Even if we can't attend all these events, we can learn so much about film, books, writers, artists, singers, etc.  There is also one on "Higher Education" with lots of info on film series and events for college students like the Lafayette Debates.


GREATER KANSAS CITY
Following up on the discussion in our Region VI group at the Delegate Assembly in Saguenay, here is what the Greater Kansas City group does each year to encourage and support students who are thinking about being French teachers.

Katie Madigan, president of the AATF of GKC, tells us that the Academy of Future French Teachers is a joint initiative of the Greater Kansas City Chapter and local institutions such as Rockhurst University and Missouri Western University.  It is designed to stimulate interest in students who have excelled in French classes and who may be considering teaching French as a career. 

Usually, the students are guests for a luncheon at a restaurant or on campus. Afterwards, the students and organizers gather for a panel presentation where current teachers talk about the benefits and rewards of teaching French.  Former assistants also share their experience of teaching English in France for a year. Other opportunities to teach or study abroad are presented. Finally, information on scholarships, conferences, and travel are explained to give students an idea of the range of opportunities for professional development and support available to them.

Others, including Susie Hennessy, President-Elect, and Ann Sunderland, past National AATF President, have been involved in creating this annual event, while other members including Claudine Evans and Chapter Treasurer, Brandi Pruente have also contributed to this event.

It is interesting to note that when Ann Sunderland retired, the teacher who took her place was one of her former students!  As we offer our students ideas of ways to incorporate French into their futures, do we sometimes forget to show them the career that has been so satisfying to us?!



GREATER KANSAS CITY II
Here's a mention of an AATF small grant that Katie Madigan, President of the Greater Kansas City Chapter, used to organize an event on her campus as it appears on Rockhurst's webpage
                     
Katie Madigan, Ph.D., professor of modern languages, was awarded a grant from the American Association of Teachers of French that allowed the Greater Kansas City chapter of AATF, of which she is president, to invite speakers to campus for an immersion day for French teachers on immigration in Francophone literature and film.  Madigan also led a workshop titled “Étudiants sans frontières: Concepts and models for Service-Learning in French.

The workshop that Katie led on Service Learning was based on a book edited by Jacqueline Thomas and to which Katie was a contributor and that is available from the Store on our AATF website http://frenchteachers.org/.





Just noticed that two Region VI AATF members, Andrea Behn, WI Chapter President, and Kellye Guzik from Chicago/N IL attended the Leadership Initiative for Language Learning in Columbus, Ohio sponsored by ACTFL.

LA RENTRÉE
Getting ready for the new year?  Here's a bulletin board from Chicago Chapter President, Martha Behlow that puts the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines right in the classroom so that students can be aware of where they are, where they want to be, and what they need to get there!  Her inspiration was an Infographic template you can find at http://www.easel.ly.

Bulletin Board in Martha's Geneva, IL Classroom

IOWA
Pam Wesely, member of the AATF of Iowa, professor of education in World Languages and ELL at the University of Iowa, and the organizer of Tête à Tête, day of workshops for Iowa WL teachers, has just published a new book with an emphasis on social justice.  Here is how she and her co-authors describe this new publication:

Words and Actions: Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice

According to the authors, a social justice curriculum positively influences all students. Social justice, critical pedagogy, and culturally relevant teaching are becoming essential as more and more language educators teach in increasingly diverse world language classrooms. This new publication supports in-service and pre-service teachers in recognizing their students' diverse backgrounds while also supporting students' ability to think critically about the world around them. Questioning mainstream approaches to language and culture learning is vital. An emphasis on social justice is, in part, a way to expand the definition and scope of language education, leading to further innovation in the profession.




SAINT LOUIS
As a preview of what will be happening in the Fall in the St Louis.  Here is an example of the kind of September workshop that this chapter offers teachers as the school year begins.  It starts with a presentation based on the work of an author, or singer in the case of Jacques Brel a few years ago.   Then there is a dramatic presentation later in the month to which students are invited.  This year, it's Ionesco and the Theater of the Absurd!

La Leçon

Here is the info on their announcement to their members.

Eugène Ionesco. Comment un théâtre de l’Absurde et pourquoi?

Lionel Cuillé, professeur à Webster University

Lionel nous offrira un atelier-théâtre sur Ionesco et La leçon. À ne pas manquer

Samedi 12 septembre 2015

UMSL, Clark Hall, Salle 400

8h30 – 11h30

Gratuit pour les adhérents de l’AATF.

$ 10 pour les autres

RSVP: Anna Amelung (annaamelung51@gmail.com) avant le 6 septembre.

8h30 – 9h00 – Café croissants

9h00 – 9h15 Audra Merfeld-Langston: Compte rendu du congrès AATF

9h15 – 11h30 – Lionel Cuillé: conférence et atelier-théâtre

Vous trouverez ci-joint une copie électronique de la pièce de Ionesco. Prière de l’imprimer et de l’apporter à l’atelier. Parking gratuit le samedi.

Je vous rappelle qu’André Nerman et la compagnie Caravague présenteront La leçon le dimanche 25 octobre à 17h30 à Priory. Détails à suivre.



Here is Jamie Gurholt, one of the two Region VI AATF Scholarship winners doing a presentation at the Rotary Club of Janesville, WI following her time in Belgium.  What a great way to show the community that French is relevant!

Jamie Gurholt, Scholarship Winner, at Rotary

Bonne Rentrée et Bonne Continuation, mes chers collègues!

p.s.  Ce sera mon grand plaisir de partager avec vous tous ce que vous m'envoyer comme annonces, idées, photos, propos, questions, etc.

Bonjour mes collègues!

SAGUENAY was a great conference.  In addition to the variety of stimulating sessions that one would expect, there was an exceptional atmosphere of excitement and sharing.  One particularly interesting session that I attended was given by a native Rwandan who had lived in the U.S. and also in Canada where she taught in an immersion school and who now teaches in a private school in MI where her French class includes a unit on math.  We watched fascinated by a video of her students explaining math problems in French!

The welcoming attitudes of the local residents and hotel employees was also exceptional and the Dollar Store nearby was very popular.   Many of us went home with great bargains: full size Québec flags, jaunty bright blue fedoras, Québec fleur de lis keychains, etc.   Saguenay was so North American in so many ways that it at first it was such a lovely surprise to hear and see French everywhere!

There were approximately 330 teachers at the convention which is about as many as attended our Rhode Island conference.  New Orleans was a little over 400.  In the sessions, it was particularly nice to be in a room where there was an easygoing feel and lots of interaction with the session givers.

Blueberry mousse cheesecake

Tarte aux bleuets with 

The AATF will probably make money on this convention due to the favorable exchange rate and because the food was inexpensive compared to the American cities where we've had conferences, particularly Chicago.  Did I mention how delicious the food was???  The local specialty is blueberries and we saw them in lots of ways! Here are some wonderful blueberry desserts.

Sheila Conrad, IA

The group of Leadership Fellows was particularly lively and were often the reason for the great ambiance of the convention. From Region VI, we had Rebecca Léal from Chicago/N IL, Sheila Conrad from Iowa, and Melanie Taylor who teaches now in Tennessee but is originally from Wisconsin.  Melanie and I met, we think, at Carthage College in Kenosha and Melanie did a program for a French immersion luncheon at our Illinois state WL conference some years ago.  So it was great fun to reconnect and see how involved she is in the AATF.

Rebecca Léal, Chicago/NIL

Those of you who have nominated and sent a Leadership Fellow to a convention know what a boost these individuals can be for your chapter. The national office pays for their conference registration as well as hotel and meals for the two extra days that they are at the convention. Chapters usually offer $200 to $400 to help the fellow cover the rest of the expenses depending on the chapter's resources.


A few of these future leaders were also recognized as having achieved the Exemplary French Program status.   This is a new program that can help get the message out into the community that French is alive and well and much respected as a course of study.

Exemplary Program Awardees

The French programs of our own chapter presidents Martha Behlow (Chicago/N IL) and Andrea Behn (WI) were awarded 2015 Exemplary Program status. What an amazing way to show the administrators, board of education, and the community that you have a great program!  
                                      Profiles of these programs make for some inspiring reading:      
                                  http://frenchteachers.org/hq/exemplaryprogramdescriptions.htm

Region VI was well represented in Saguenay  

Michele Raasch from Iowa with Megan Diercks, Leadership Fellow from Colorado

Rebecca Léal, Leadership Fellow, Korin Mihevc, and Erin Gibbons, all from Chicago/N IL

Scott Sheridan, University Commission Chair, from Downstate IL and his daughter

Carolyn Crane-Fisk, NFC Administrator from MN, Jessica Nicholas from Downstate IL, Sheila Conrad, Iowa Future Leader

Ruth Doyle of Greater Kansas City, Alice Strange from St Louis, and Katie Madigan, President of Greater Kansas City

Jenny Hopkins, Caroline Little, Joanne Tracy, and Betsy Kerr from Minnesota

Not pictured are Christine Lac and Sharon Gerlach from Minnesota; Barbara Hoerr, Margarita Levasseur, Maureen Madden, Gloria Maliszewski, and Nitya Viswanath from Chicago/N IL; Audra Merfeld-Langston from St. Louis, Ann Sunderland and Rosemary Hoffman from Greater Kansas City; and Ramona Armour and Lorraine Poplaski from Wisconsin.

AATF SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS
Three Region VI teachers could not attend the convention in Saguenay since they received AATF Summer Scholarships:  Tom Sapp from Chicago/N IL studied in France while Jamie Gurhold from Wisconsin and Jeanne Engelkemeir from Chicago/N IL studied in Mons, Belgium.

NATIONAL FRENCH CONTEST
The big news coming out of the convention was that the National French Contest will now be electronic!  For this first year, it will be a pilot project and teachers will be able to order paper tests as well.  Questions will be randomized and so students will not have to be grouped by level to take the test and teachers can administer the test to their own students.   Students could even take the test in class. Teachers will register their own students online and will be able to do so right up until the test.  

NFC administrators will no longer be involved in registering students but will be there to recruit schools and teachers, send reminders, encourage participation, and organize prize  distribution.  The AATF is not using the same company as the one used by the AATSP. 

The Grand Concours is one of the most effective ways to make French visible in the school and the community.   Thank you for encouraging teachers to participate!

PHONE AT NATIONAL OFFICE   815-310-0490

Our Executive Director has turned off the phone number on the campus at SIU.  Unfortunately, the university refuses to delete it from the list of phones on campus.  So if a member calls the old number, there is a message that leads one to think that no one is there to answer the phone.   So, to avoid disappointment and any impression of inattention to our members needs, please stress to members to use the new number and to double check the number listed on any piece of correspondence they might have or that is even offered by our organization.   Despite all best efforts, there is the outside chance that some document might not have been updated.

STILL TO COME THIS SUMMER:

The AATF of Wisconsin  is organizing a two-day intensive workshop (http://www.aatfwi.org/) with Toni Theisen, 2009 ACTFL Teacher of the Year and 2013 ACTFL President, for their members and is inviting teachers from the Chicago/N IL chapter August 22 -23 in Janesville, WI that will give members the opportunity to understand and use the ACTFL proficiency levels, Can-Do Statements, and Thematic Units, and create IPA’s using authentic resources.  

ET VOILÀ

Please know that your efforts to encourage, motivate, and support the members of your chapter are appreciated by your organization and no doubt by your members.   They and their students are very lucky to have the resources and the activities that you organize and facilitate as a representative of the AATF.  If a teacher should indicate that they don’t see any reason to join the AATF, you can mention that, if they were members...

their students could be

wearing blue, white, and red cords at graduation

photographed with their NFC certificates and prizes

making videos for the NFW contest

watching AATF YouTube videos that correspond to the AP themes

listening to video clips their teacher found on the AATF Facebook page

be celebrating National French Week with any of the ideas at frenchteachers.org

be singing and dancing at an immersion day (Chicago/N IL)

be recognized for their presentational skills at a Concours Oral (MN, WI, CHI/N IL)

and they themselves could be
supporting their profession

picking up teaching tips on the AATF Facebook page

studying in France or Belgium on an AATF Summer Scholarship (2 in IL & 1 in WI this yr)

growing professionally through the National Bulletin and the French Review

improving their own language skills at a Teacher Immersion Day (GKC)

receiving notices of French teacher job openings in their area from their chapter president

experiencing French art, literature, architecture, etc through regular programs (GSL) (CH/N IL)

receiving teaching tips and enrichment 3x a year through electronic newsletters (MN, CH/NIL)

part of a network of teachers always looking to share and to receive ideas and support for their French programs

Alors, UN GRAND MERCI & BONNE CONTINUATION!!!

November 25, 2014


Salut mes collègues!

Am hoping that National French Week is for you a wonderful memory!

Though retired since June, I jumped at the chance recently to go along as a chaperone on a field trip to the Art Institute to see the Impressionist paintings with 3rd year students at the two schools where I taught.  It was a great opportunity to be with students again and to see those wonderful works of art!

In fact, Wisconsin NFC administrator, Ramona Armour, will be hosting a meeting of local teachers in mid-December to collaborate with the French Cultural Service on a midwest-wide French Art Project. These teachers will  brainstorm to come up with ideas for developing materials for French teachers throughout the midwest to use at all levels of instruction to introduce their students to a selection of French artworks in all of the major midwest museums even if they do not live in proximity to one of the museums like their very own Milwaukee Museum of Art.


After traveling to Iowa in the beginning of October, as I reported to you earlier, I had then had the pleasure of visiting in November with the leaders and teachers of the Wisconsin Chapter at the WAFLT conference.  Focussing on membership, President SuAnn Schroeder, President-Elect Andrea Behn, and NFC Administrator Jennie Bolen did a session specifically for new teachers called "French Connections:  Our Network for Wisconsin Educators" described in the program as:

 "New French teacher?  Want to know the available resources for French educators in WI?  What is the difference between WAFLT, ACTFL, AATF, SWAAF?  Grow your professional network and ignite your French program with the Grand Concours, Concours Oral, and more!"  

One of the teachers attending the session took out her checkbook right there and wrote a check to become an AATF member!  

Award for a New Teacher 

For Teacher who has made significant contributions to the Chapter

The Business Meeting was well attended with updates on activities, awards, and the very popular tombola that included bottles of French wine!

Here's their new chapter t-shirt, modeled by President SuAnn.  Sorry about the fuzzy photography.

The winner of a Wisconsin chapter Small Grant of up-to-$200, Alexandra Smith, is using the money for expenses involved with creating a Happy Hour themed "AATF Soirée de Networking" for teachers near Milwaukee.

Flyers about the event were available at the new AATF of WI table top display that rolls up and fits into a sleek carrying case and that Past-President, Justin Frieman, reports is from a company called Smart Exhibits at www.smartexhibits.com.  Here's the model that Justin chose http://www.smartexhibits.com/shop/table-top-displays/ftgrp-curve-table-top-display.html

New Wisconsin Display

The only sad part of the proceedings was that SuAnn announced that she is taking the position of President-Elect for the Wisconsin Association For Language Teachers and so will be leaving her position as AATF President.  But, we are of course happy for her as she moves into a position where she will be making a very positive impact on the professional lives of teachers of all the world languages taught in Wisconsin and she will also be creating visibility for the study of French from a different vantage point as she interacts with language teachers, administrators, and officials at the state and national levels.

The transition in leadership for the AATF chapter will, very happily, be assured with Past-President, Justin Frieman and President-Elect Andrea Behn stepping up to share the position of President.  The WI chapter's election procedure includes three positions each for two years:  President-Elect 2 yr, President 2 yr, and Past-President 2 yr.   This meant that there was plenty of ready talent, commitment, and experience to call on in this unforeseen circumstance.   In fact, the Kansas City Chapter under Katie Madigan's leadership has decided to amend their constitution to include the office of President-Elect to facilitate the transition in leadership in their chapter.  It was at the national convention in New Orleans that Katie met SuAnn, Justin, and Andrea and they discussed that election system.

The Kansas City Chapter is also planning a meeting in January, 2015 where elementary and secondary teachers can suggest to the French Cultural Service the kinds of materials they would find useful based on a selection of the French artworks in the major midwest museums including their own Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.  Katie's personal connections with members of the museum personnel will be very helpful.  Ann Sunderland, past national AATF president is also helping to organize the event.

Nelson Adkins Museum of Art in Kansas City

During the same weekend as WAFLT in Appleton, Wisconsin, the Chicago/Northern IL Chapter had a National French Week celebration for its members at Dominique Tougne's "Chez Moi" with a cheese and wine tasting that was a hit with all who attended.

Dominique Tougne of "Chez Moi" with Phyllis Perkins and Laura Schmuck
2014 NFWeek wine & cheese tasting

Linda Egnatz
ACTFL 2013 Teacher of the Year

Chicago Chapter President, Martha Behlow, recently took advantage of a great networking opportunity by attending the Fall meeting of the leadership of the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.  She is interested in working with them on the implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy that 2013 ACTFL Teacher of the Year and President of ICTFL, Linda Egnatz has spearheaded for Illinois.  You may have seen Linda's photo on the cover of ACTFL's magazine not too long ago.

As we get closer to the end of the calendar year, there are two initiatives that will be timely.  One is membership.  While teachers live their professional year from August to June, the AATF membership year (due to financial requirements) is January to December.   So the best time for teachers to become members is now.  They will get the most benefits by signing up before January. Their students can pay a lower fee for the National French Contest, their outstanding students can be members of the National French Honor Society, and they themselves can apply for scholarships.


The other initiative is the National French Contest.  While this is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and achievement of students, it is also a powerful way to give French a higher profile in our schools.  Photos of our students receiving certificates and national, regional, and local prizes give the study of French in our schools a legitimacy that comes from an outside professional organization.   So please encourage your members to use this tool that only their national professional association, the AATF, can provide.

This is also a great time to think about doing a session in Saguenay this summer.  Our President, Sister Mary Helen, assured me recently that there will be bus service from Quebec City right to our convention site.  When I have the details, I'll let you know.  Each of you and your members has something that you do with your students that another teacher would love to hear about.  Please encourage members to team up with another teacher to present a session on all kinds of topics: how they use fairy tales or technology, present Impressionist artists or colonial Africa, celebrate Carnaval au Québec or Mardi Gras, manage a multi-level class or organize an exchange, create a French Club or a National French Honor Society.  Deadline for session proposals is December 15!

Mille fois merci de tout ce que vous faites pour soutenir les professeurs de français et notre profession!

Fall Update

Bonjour mes collègues,                                                                           

Hope that you are all enjoying some beautiful Fall weather!

Fall means lots of activities for French teachers.  So here is an update on what is going on in Region VI.   Chapter leaders have told me that they are eager to know what is going on in other chapters.  Alors voilà!

Two weeks ago, I had a great time doing a session and visiting with teachers in Iowa at the Iowa World Languages Association conference in Des Moines and am now looking forward to visiting with the Wisconsin teachers in Appleton in just two weeks at WAFLT.  Then in March I hope to see many of you in one place at the Central States Conference in Minneapolis.  Please don't hesitate to invite me to your area!


SAINT LOUIS
The following is a letter that St Louis Chapter president, Anna Amelung, sent to the members in September to tell them about events from September through January.

Chers Collègues,

Le comité directeur de l’AATF de St. Louis vous souhaite une joyeuse rentrée et une très bonne année scolaire/académique 2014-2015. Encore une fois notre chapitre vous propose des activités pédagogiques de qualité à ne pas manquer. Marquez vos calendriers et venez nombreux !

·    Audra Merfeld-Langston, chargée du Grand Concours, nous invite à participer au groupe "American Association of Teachers of French Greater St. Louis Chapter" sur Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/271253712980921/

Merci de vous abonner et/ou d'envoyer le lien à d'autres personnes qui le trouveront utile.

·    Le samedi 6 septembre à UMSL, Clark Hall 413 (de 8h30 à midi) aura lieu un DOUBLE ATELIER. Tout d’abord les professeurs Jeanne Zarucchi et Anne-Sophie Blank nous montreront comment employer le nouveau site web du Musée d’Art :  L’Art français au Musée d’art de Saint-Louis: une nouvelle ressource pédagogique. Ensuite le professeur Lionel Cuillé va présenter une conférence sur Guillaume Apollinaire:  "Le détournement de l'arsenal militaire: Apollinaire poète et soldat". ATTENTION : Il faut que vous répondiez à Karen Bettis (krbettis@gmail.com)  AVANT le 2 septembre. Donc inscrivez-vous tout de suite ! L’atelier est gratuit pour les membres de l’AATF, et il coûte $10 pour les non-adhérents.

·    Le dimanche 5 octobre. Spectacle d’André Nerman sur Guillaume Apollinaire en 1914, soldat et amoureux, 17h30, Priory High School, $12.00. Réservations: Eventbrite sur l’Internet ($12.00 PLUS $1.65 de frais).

·    FORMATION pour les enseignants de français. Le Centre francophone de Webster University invite tous les professeurs à trois ateliers qui auront lieu le vendredi 26 septembre (livre-jeunesse),  le lundi 20 octobre (didactique du FLE), et le mardi 18 novembre (utilisation de la bande dessinée). Détails à suivre.

·    La semaine du français va se dérouler du 5 au 11 novembre, et nous vous encourageons à organiser quelques activités avec vos élèves ou étudiants. Consultez le site national de notre AATF pour des idées et suggestions : http://www.frenchteachers.org/nfw/

•  Venez TIRER LES ROIS le samedi 10 janvier 2015 à La Bonne Bouchée de 9h00 à 11h00.

Je vous rappelle que votre cotisation à l’AATF est payée directement au siège national et est valable de janvier à janvier.  

RENOUVELEZ VOTRE ADHÉSION, S’IL VOUS PLAÎT.

Si vous avez des collègues qui ne sont pas membres encouragez-les à adhérer à notre organisation (www.frenchteachers.org) ou bien tout simplement invitez-les à l’un de nos ateliers.

N’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous avez des questions ou des suggestions à propos des activités que nous pourrions organiser pour vous. Nous cherchons toujours des idées et des sujets susceptibles d’intéresser nos enseignants.

Je vous souhaite une bonne rentrée et j’espère vous revoir très bientôt.

Amitiés,

Anna Amelung                                                                                      

Présidente

AATF Greater Saint Louis Chapter

annaamelung51@gmail.com



Here are two of the chapter officers with the two teachers who prepared the materials based on the French artworks in the St. Louis Art Museum as part of an ongoing project sponsored by the Service Culturel in Chicago.

Secretary, Karen Bettis; President Anna Amelung; presenters, Jeanne Zarucchi & Anne-Sophie Blank

                                                                     

                                                                    le 6 septembre 

         Lionel Cuillé from Webster College talking about Guillaume Apollinaire 

CHICAGO/NORTHERN IL

    The Chicago/Northern Illinois Chapter President, Martha Behlow let the members know about the events for the upcoming school year with the following Calendar.

CALENDAR 2014-2015

Important deadlines and dates

AATF Chicago/Northern IL Chapter

Sept. 15           Early Bird Registration Deadline for ICTFL Fall                         Workshop

Sept. 20           Submission deadline for articles for Fall Francofeuilles

Sept. 22           Registration deadline for Réunion d’Automne

Oct. 4              Réunion d’Automne, Art Institute of Chicago

Oct. 24-25       ICTFL Fall Workshop, Tinley Park,                          “A Gallery of Strategies: Touch up your Personal                         Portrait”

Nov. 5-11        National French Week, ‘Le Français, langue à multiples                          visages’

Nov. 3-15        Trivia Contest available on the website

Nov. 8             Wine tasting with Cheese pairing event at Chez Moi, 2100                         N. Halsted, Chicago

Nov. 15           National French Week Video Contest submissions due

Dec. 1              Champions d’Expression Concours Oral registration opens

Dec. 6              Executive Council Meeting, AATF Chicago / Northern                           Illinois Chapter

Dec. 12            Deadline for school registration for National French                          Contest

2015

Jan. 16             Deadline for student registration for National French                          Contest

Feb. 7               Atelier d’hiver AND Executive Council meeting

Feb. TBA         Journée d’Immersion, Dominican University

Feb. 14-28       FLES National French Contest dates

Mar. 2-20        National French Contest Middle and High School levels                          01-5

Mar. 12-14      Central States Conference, Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis                         Hilton

Mar. 14-22      Semaine de la Francophonie

Mar. 27            Deadline to enter the National French Contest t-shirt logo                           design contest

Mar. 31            Champions d’Expression Concours Oral registration closes

Apr. 11            Executive Council Meeting

Apr. 25            Concours Oral at Elmhurst College

Deadline for submission to Francofeuilles

May 2              Spring Awards Program

May 9              Prize Distribution for NFC, Buffalo Grove High School

May 16            Prize Distribution for NFC, Hinsdale Central High School                          (to be confirmed)

July 8-11          AATF Convention, Saguenay, Quebec

2015-2016 School Year

Sept. 5             Executive Council Meeting

Oct. 3              AATF Fall Program

Nov. 4-10        National French Week

Dec. 5              Executive Council Meeting

Here are some of the members enjoying the Fall program at the Art Institute included a guided tour in French of several French artworks of several periods and a self-guided tour of the special Magritte exhibit.

DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS

The Downstate Illinois Chapter started out                        

the school year with a joint workshop with the AATSP and presenter Amy Lenord, Spanish teacher from Texas focusing on authentic resources.  This was a great example of collaboration taking advantage of the opportunity to network and bring together French teachers.

GREATER KANSAS CITY

At their Fall meeting at the Louisiana Jazz Kitchen, Kansas City presented their three new officers: Susie Hennessy, Vice-President/President-Elect; Brandi Puente, Treasurer; and Michael Foster, Secretary.   The chapter also voted to change their constitution to say that the Vice-President is also President-Elect and that the chapter will charge dues of $5.00 per member.  

At the AATF convention in New Orleans, KC President Katie Madigan voiced her interest in the concept of "president-elect" as it is practiced in some other chapters such as, in our region, the Wisconsin chapter, as a way to provide continuity for the chapter and for those taking leadership roles.  They will be gathering in December for their holiday dinner and are planning another Immersion Day for teachers in the Spring.

WISCONSIN

The Wisconsin chapter met in August to plan their strategy for the upcoming year including their

annual Outstanding Educator Award, Étoile Montante Award, as well as their Elementary and Middle School Awards, and award for a parent/supporter.  This chapter is also continuing to offer four grants of up to $200 to cover the expenses of a teacher organizing a get together for teachers in his or her area.   This is a particularly valuable opportunity for teachers who live in parts of WI that are far from from areas where there is already a lot of AATF activity.  

Chapter President SuAnn Schroeder was there at the Assemblée Générale when our national president, Sr. Mary Helen Kashuba challenged each chapter to set a concrete goal for increasing membership and now SuAnn reports that the Wisconsin chapter ALREADY HAS 15 new members! This was their pitch in the electronic chapter newsletter.

Am looking forward to attending the Chapter Business Meeting at the conference of the Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language teachers on Nov 7-8 where the chapter is presenting a session for French teachers to showcase the advantages of AATF membership as well as the ways that teachers can also participate in other professional organizations.

French Connections: Our Network for Wisconsin Educators

Friday evening, the Chapter will also offer French teachers a night cap and appetizers in the "Clubhouse" for a French Immersion experience.

IOWA

Just two weeks ago, it was great fun to travel to Des Moines, Iowa for the Iowa World Languages Association and to meet Chapter President, Kristine Sieren, for the first time in person and to see Secretary-Treasurer, Marianne Sandberg and National French Contest Administrator, Tammy Andrews again after meeting them this past summer in New Orleans where Tammy also participated in the Future Leaders Program. At the chapter business meeting and reception for French teachers attending the conference, Marianne was elected to serve another term as Secretary-Treasurer. They are planning next Spring to meet again at the annual Tête à Tête for world language teachers at The University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Fulbright student; Tamara Andrews NFC Administrator; President, Kristine Sieren; and Members, Maria Snyder and Michele Raasch

Iowa World Languages Association

Iowa AATF Calendar

November 2014
5-11	National French Week
December 2014
15	Future Leaders Application due to National Office
January 2015
February 2015
28	Tête à Tête – University of Iowa, Iowa City (spring meeting)
March 2015
9 (week of)	National French Contest contact Tamara Andrews (tamara.andrews@johnston.k12.ia.us)
April 2015
2	French Quiz Bowl – Simpson College contact Ronda Priebe (ronda.priebe@indianola.k12.ia.us)
30	IWLA Teacher of Promise and Educator of the Year nominations due
May 2015
1	IWLA small grant application due
June 2015
July 2015
8-11	AATF National Convention – Saguenay, Quebec
31-August 1	Simpson College Immersion Weekend
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015

MINNESOTA                                                                                

I had the pleasure of seeing Chapter Leader, Joëlle Vitiello, in New Orleans where it was announced the the NFC Administrator for MN, Carolyn Fisk, was awarded the Outstanding NFC Administrator of the Year!  

CALENDAR 2014-2015

Important deadlines and dates

AATF Chicago/Northern IL Chapter

Sept. 15           Early Bird Registration Deadline for ICTFL Fall 
                       Workshop    

Sept. 20           Submission deadline for articles for Fall Francofeuilles

Sept. 22           Registration deadline for Réunion d’Automne

Oct. 4              Réunion d’Automne, Art Institute of Chicago

Oct. 24-25       ICTFL Fall Workshop, Tinley Park, 

                        “A Gallery of Strategies: Touch up your Personal
                        Portrait”                   

Nov. 5-11        National French Week, ‘Le Français, langue à multiples 
                        visages’

Nov. 3-15        Trivia Contest available on the website

Nov. 8             Wine tasting with Cheese pairing event at Chez Moi, 2100
                        N. Halsted, Chicago           

Nov. 15           National French Week Video Contest submissions due

Dec. 1              Champions d’Expression Concours Oral registration opens

Dec. 6              Executive Council Meeting, AATF Chicago / Northern 
                         Illinois Chapter

Dec. 12            Deadline for school registration for National French 
                        Contest

2015

Jan. 16             Deadline for student registration for National French 
                        Contest

Feb. 7               Atelier d’hiver AND Executive Council meeting

Feb. TBA         Journée d’Immersion, Dominican University

Feb. 14-28       FLES National French Contest dates   

Mar. 2-20        National French Contest Middle and High School levels 
                        01-5

Mar. 12-14      Central States Conference, Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis
                        Hilton

Mar. 14-22      Semaine de la Francophonie

Mar. 27            Deadline to enter the National French Contest t-shirt logo 
                         design contest

Mar. 31            Champions d’Expression Concours Oral registration closes

Apr. 11            Executive Council Meeting

Apr. 25            Concours Oral at Elmhurst College

                        Deadline for submission to Francofeuilles

May 2              Spring Awards Program

May 9              Prize Distribution for NFC, Buffalo Grove High School

May 16            Prize Distribution for NFC, Hinsdale Central High School 
                        (to be confirmed)

July 8-11          AATF Convention, Saguenay, Quebec

2015-2016 School Year

Sept. 5             Executive Council Meeting

Oct. 3              AATF Fall Program

Nov. 4-10        National French Week

Dec. 5              Executive Council Meeting

November 2014

5-11

National French Week

December 2014

15

Future Leaders Application due to National Office

January 2015

February 2015

28

Tête à Tête – University of Iowa, Iowa City (spring meeting)

March 2015

9 (week of)

National French Contest

contact Tamara Andrews (tamara.andrews@johnston.k12.ia.us)

April 2015

2

French Quiz Bowl – Simpson College

contact Ronda Priebe (ronda.priebe@indianola.k12.ia.us)

30

IWLA Teacher of Promise and Educator of the Year nominations due

May 2015

1

IWLA small grant application due

June 2015

July 2015

8-11

AATF National Convention – Saguenay, Quebec

31-August 1

Simpson College Immersion Weekend

August 2015

September 2015

October 2015

The MN executive council met at the end of the summer to review the previous year's activities and plan for 2014-2015.  They are organizing a winter workshop that will focus in part on the work of the Haitien-Quebecois, Dany Laferrière in February and are planning a reception to welcome all French teachers who will be attending the Central State Conference March 12-14 in Minneapolis.  The chapter has used this event as an opportunity to network with Vistas in Education who will co-sponsor the CSC reception.  The executive council also discussed co-sponsoring events with the Alliance Française of Minneapolis-St Paul.  While at the conference of the Fédération des Alliances Françaises this past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting the Director of the AF de Minneapolis who appreciates greatly and respects the role that the AATF plays in the state of Minnesota.

Franco-Fête, an event that celebrates the French heritage of Minnesota and North Dakota, is planning an 2015 event and the AATF of MN is ready to be a part of that celebration.  I can't wait.  The 2012 event in Minneapolis was very inspiring!

The chapter's three-times-a-year newsletter, "Reflets de l'Étoile du Nord", will now become entirely electronic, as is now the newsletter of the Chicago Chapter, and is available on the their website at http://mnaatf.org.   A chapter newsletter is also available on the website of the Wisconsin Chapter.  Still to come for Minnesota are the Concours Oral, "À Vous la Parole", that had 1107 entries in six categories last year, the Grand Concours Awards Breakfast in May and the annual dinner in April.

Bravo à tous et Bonne Continuation!

Amusez-vous pendant la Semaine du Français!