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Anthony Papalia Award

Teacher Education

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NYSAFLT Anthony Papalia Award for Excellence in Teacher Education

The Anthony Papalia Award honors a teacher, educator, and author who significantly influenced the lives of countless students and practicing teachers. His tenure at the State University of New York, Buffalo, service to the State of New York through work with the New York State Education Department, and involvement in the New York State Association for Language Teachers, Inc. (NYSAFLT) were characterized by selfless dedication to improving the quality of teachers and teaching.

The Anthony Papalia Award for Excellence in Teacher Education was established by ACTFL in 1987 to recognize a world language educator who has demonstrated excellence in the preparation and continuing education of teachers for the profession. It is supported by New York State Association for Language Teachers, Inc.

Evidence of the nominee's impact on teacher education should consist of a record of active participation, leadership, and significant contributions to the field of world language education. This documentation would include supporting documentation as to the impact of the nominee’s contributions toward the development of preservice (entry level) teacher candidates and in service teachers, with a focus on teaching, service, research, and honors received.

Since 1991, an honorarium has been provided to the recipient by New York State Association for Language Teachers, Inc. and ACTFL. The award is evidence of the commitment of ACTFL and New York State Association for Language Teachers, Inc. to excellence in teacher preparation and to the support of those in our profession who share this concern.

The recipient of this award receives an honorarium.

Procedures for Nomination

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

  1. A cover letter introducing the nominee and other dossier materials to follow, signed by nominator or by self-nominee (not to exceed 500 words).
    1. Curriculum vitae of the nominee (not to exceed 10 pages or 4500 words).
    2. A narrative addressing the award criteria (not to exceed 4500 words).
    3. Letters of support – maximum of 3; including but not limited to colleagues, supervisors, current or former students, and administrators.
    4. Other supporting documentation not to exceed 10 pages or 4500 words (e.g., photos, artifacts, articles, etc.) that documents the nominee’s excellence in teaching, research and service at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels (see rubric for specific criteria and indicators); supporting materials may include links to video and audio files.
    5. Complete nomination dossiers must be submitted through the online form in one PDF file by the deadline.


Procedures for the Selection Committee

  1. The award Selection Committee will be chaired by a member of ACTFL, invited by the current ACTFL President.
  2. Committee members will be selected from those that apply as volunteers.
  3. Committee members rate and rank the dossiers using the award rubric and return their ratings and rankings to the Committee Chair or Co-Chairs by an agreed upon date.
  4. The Committee may meet as many times as needed to decide on the award recipient.
  5. At the discretion of the Committee, the award may or may not be presented during a given year.

NOTE: No member or officer of the ACTFL or Language Connects Foundation Board of Directors may write a letter of support for any award nominee or actively shepherd the nomination of an award nominee. No member or officer of the ACTFL or Language Connects Foundation Board of Directors, or ACTFL employee is eligible for nomination for any award while holding these positions.

Criteria for Eligibility (Checklist)

  • The Nominee is a current ACTFL member.
  • The candidate has a minimum of five years teaching experience with at least half of each year's assignment in the area of world language education.
  • Dossier includes introductory cover letter, CV, maximum of three letters of support, and supporting documentation combined in one PDF file.

Procedures for the Selection Committee

  1. The award selection committee will be chaired by a member of ACTFL, who will be appointed by the ACTFL Past President. The chair will serve in a non-voting capacity.
  2. As soon as possible after the deadline for submission of nominations, the Committee Chair will circulate copies of the nomination dossiers to members of the committee.
  3. Committee members rate and rank the dossiers using the rubric and return their ratings and rankings to the Committee Chair by the date specified.
  4. At the discretion of the Committee, the award may or may not be presented during a given year.
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Anthony Papalia Award Rubric

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PDF 2023 Awards Program

Explore Descriptions of Recent Awardees

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