Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom

Proposed by the ACTFL DEI Committee in 2023, the Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Classroom recognizes language educators at all levels who have intentionally and effectively created accessible spaces of belonging for their learners and incorporated diverse, equitable and inclusive principles into their classroom curriculum and projects, and in doing so have enabled all students, including those with special needs, to develop linguistic and cultural competence.

Aligned with ACTFL’s commitment to develop and promote a diverse and inclusive language education community by working to break down barriers to access and opportunity, and as demonstrated in the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards, the Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Classroom seeks to inspire:

• Programs that are truly inclusive, culturally responsive, and encourage meaningful communication to foster global citizenship in and out of the classroom;
• Initiatives that recognize and demonstrate the positive role that diversity, equity and inclusion play in language education; and
• Educators and students that affirm and promote antiracism and social justice.

Award

• an honorarium, to one language educator teaching at any level; and
• a complimentary one-year membership to ACTFL

Specific Criteria to Consider in Evaluation of Nominees

1. Promotes empathy and inclusion to affirm the responsibilities of global citizenship;
2. Addresses and challenges systemic biases and stereotypes; and
3. Fosters critical thinking and encourages students to take action towards positive social change.

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Criteria for Eligibility

• Nominees do not need to be members of ACTFL.
• Members of the ACTFL and Language Connects Foundation Boards of Directors are not eligible to nominate candidates for nor receive this award.

Procedures for Nomination

The nomination dossier must include the following documents (in order):

• A cover letter introducing the nominee and the relevant program/initiative (not to exceed 500 words).
• Letters of support (maximum of 3; including but not limited to colleagues, supervisors, current and former students, administrators)
• Additional narrative/ supporting documents related to Language Connects Foundation/ACTFL agreed upon evaluation criteria; supporting materials can be in any language (not to exceed 10 pages or 4500 words) and may include links to video and audio files.