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Welcome to the 109th NYSAFLT Annual Conference!
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Saturday, October 17
 

8:30am EDT

L'art en classe : plus qu'une trace, une audace !
Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Shaker Room
Feedback Survey
Elevate your curriculum by transforming the "10 Arts" from a cultural footnote into a catalyst for proficiency. This session explores how the fine arts, architecture, cinema, and digital media can drive the three modes of communication. Participants will analyze authentic resources—such as world-renowned paintings adapted for modern advertisements—and discover project ideas for students to showcase their research on diverse artists. We will engage in a collaborative "11th Art" debate to foster critical thinking. Leave with a toolkit of visual stimuli and interpretive tasks that bridge the gap between creative expression and the NYSED World Language Standards. Let’s make art the heart of the lesson, not an afterthought!
Presenters
avatar for Françoise

Françoise "Swaz" Piron

South Jefferson CSD, retired
NYSAFLT 2024 President FLNNYL Vice-President FOR LEADERS OF NORTHERN NEW YORK LANGUAGES is a regional organization representing the world language community of the North Country.
avatar for Joy Cumming

Joy Cumming

South Jefferson CSD
Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Shaker Room
  Session D

8:30am EDT

Maximizing All Modes of Communication Through Podcasts
Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
High Street 24
Feedback Survey
In this workshop, I will demonstrate how podcasts in the target language can be used not only for interpretive communication and cultural exploration, but also to engage students in the interpersonal and presentational modes. Participants will explore how to select appropriate podcasts for learners at all proficiency levels and will receive a step-by-step guide to implementing a tertulia-style activity. This includes creating key vocabulary lists, summary slides, and scaffolded discussion questions aligned to different Depths of Knowledge (DOK) levels.
Presenters
avatar for Steven Lopez

Steven Lopez

Teacher, [email protected]
Steven Lopez received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish and his master’s degree in Secondary Education from SUNY Albany. He also holds a master’s degree in Spanish Linguistics from Middlebury College and is a National Board-Certified Teacher as of December 2021. He has been a... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
High Street 24
  Session D

11:30am EDT

Capital-East Regional Breakout Session
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 7
Feedback Survey
Connect with fellow educators from your region, learn about your regional organization, and discover ways to get involved and advocate for language education in your area.
Presenters
avatar for Shannon Lundgren

Shannon Lundgren

MS Spanish Teacher, Bethlehem Central School District
MC
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 7
  Session E - Regional Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

Central New York Regional Breakout Session
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 9
Feedback Survey
Connect with fellow educators from your region, learn about your regional organization, and discover ways to get involved and advocate for language education in your area.
Presenters
BJ
ES
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 9
  Session E - Regional Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

Mid-Hudson/Westchester Regional Breakout Session
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 5
Feedback Survey
Connect with fellow educators from your region, learn about your regional organization, and discover ways to get involved and advocate for language education in your area.
Presenters
KT
avatar for Elcie Douce

Elcie Douce

World Language Department Chair, Nyack Public Schools
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 5
  Session E - Regional Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

NYC/LI Regional Breakout Session
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Shaker Room
Feedback Survey
Connect with fellow educators from your region, learn about your regional organization, and discover ways to get involved and advocate for language education in your area.
Presenters
avatar for David Schultz

David Schultz

FLES-MANDARIN (Grades K-5), North Shore Central School District
David Schultz has been the FLES-Mandarin teacher at North Shore School District since 2016. Prior to his tenure at North Shore Schools, David taught, studied, and lived in China for ten years, completing a graduate degree in Chinese at Peking University. He is currently serving as... Read More →
avatar for Maria Quintanilla

Maria Quintanilla

Spanish Teacher, NYCPS
Maria Quintanilla teaches Spanish for Spanish Speakers at Energy Tech High School in Queens, NY. She has mentored new teachers and has served as teacher mentor for the College Board. She is currently working with the DOE’s Division of Multilingual Learners, developing lesson plans... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Shaker Room
  Session E - Regional Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

Western NY Regional Breakout Session
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Town Hall Amphitheater
Feedback Survey
Connect with fellow educators from your region, learn about your regional organization, and discover ways to get involved and advocate for language education in your area.
Presenters
avatar for Anna Cartwright

Anna Cartwright

French Teacher, Orchard Park High School
avatar for Joshua Wigle-Harris

Joshua Wigle-Harris

Spanish teacher, East Irondequoit Middle School
Josh Wigle-Harris is a graduate of St. John Fisher University, where he earned a B.A. in Spanish and an M.S. in Special Education. He is a 7th and 8th grade Spanish teacher and serves as the World Languages Curriculum Leader at East Irondequoit Middle School. In recognition of his... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Town Hall Amphitheater
  Session E - Regional Breakout Session

1:30pm EDT

Bridging Language and Culture: Using AI to Deepen Cultural Understanding
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Street 26
Feedback Survey
As AI reshapes the classroom, world language educators have an opportunity to rethink how culture is taught. This session explores practical, intentional uses of AI that support authentic voices, multiple perspectives, and meaningful intercultural communication. Participants will leave with classroom‑ready strategies that prioritize deepening cultural understanding using Canva, Ideogram and Gemini Storybook.
Presenters
avatar for Trinidad Arizmendi

Trinidad Arizmendi

Regional World Language Coordinator, PNW BOCES
Hola a todos,I am the Regional World Language Coordinator at PNW BOCES in Yorktown Heights, NY. In my role, I support World Language needs with the goal of helping every student to be successful. Let me know if you would like to discuss possible future World Language/Technology Opportunities... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Street 26
  Session F

1:30pm EDT

Gen AI and Language Pedagogy: Practical Applications
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 5
Feedback Survey
Using concrete classroom examples, this presentation demonstrates the ways in which AI tools and platforms can reinforce language learning. In its discussion, it also underscores the ethical, environmental, and pedagogical risks of GenAI. It ultimately suggests that when used strategically and intentionally with teacher oversight, GenAI can serve as a flexible, time-efficient tool that expands the possibilities of second language instruction.
Presenters
SM
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Fort Orange 5
  Session F

1:30pm EDT

Google Slides to Make Paper Documents... What the TECH?!
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Town Hall Amphitheater
Feedback Survey
Tired of Word/Docs sending images two towns over when you insert them? Want multiple versions of quizzes and tests in an easier/visible format? Need ONE place for everything at your fingertips *including* audio? Come to see how all this can happen using Google Slides as a document creator!



(All materials shown will be shared and editable.)
Presenters
avatar for Meredith White

Meredith White

Teacher and Instructional Technology Support, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Meredith White is a high school Spanish teacher, university instructor, and high school instructional technology coach in Gwinnett County, Metro Atlanta, Georgia. She was the 2019 Peachtree Ridge High School Teacher of the Year, the 2020 Georgia World Language Teacher of the Year... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Town Hall Amphitheater
  Session F

1:30pm EDT

Leaders of Tomorrow information session
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Meeting Suite 120
Feedback Survey
We invite you to come find out about our Leaders of Tomorrow. Come see what our current and former participants say about the program. This is a perfect opportunity to chat if you are interested in joining our program. If you’re a former participant, stop by to share your leadership trajectory with our new leaders. This is a panel discussion.
Presenters
avatar for Melanie Thomas

Melanie Thomas

Spencerport CSD
Spanish Teacher
NYSAFLT TOY 2023
NBCT WLOE
Spencerport CSD World Language Teacher Leader
Spencerport CSD Seal of Biliteracy coordinator


avatar for Shannon Lundgren

Shannon Lundgren

MS Spanish Teacher, Bethlehem Central School District
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Meeting Suite 120
  Session F

1:30pm EDT

Past President Advisory Council
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Street 22
Feedback Survey
Annual Meeting of NYSAFLT Past Presidents with NYSAFLT updates and discussion. This is a closed meeting.
Presenters
avatar for Françoise

Françoise "Swaz" Piron

South Jefferson CSD, retired
NYSAFLT 2024 President FLNNYL Vice-President FOR LEADERS OF NORTHERN NEW YORK LANGUAGES is a regional organization representing the world language community of the North Country.
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Street 22
  Session F

1:30pm EDT

Safe Spaces for DEI in 2026 and Beyond (formerly the DEI Roundtable).
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Street 24
Feedback Survey
Join us for an engaging conversation about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This is part of a new series of sessions supported by NECTFL, ACTFL, and NYSAFLT and other State Organizations to create spaces for dialogue and to share stories. This is a space for listening, reflection, and mutual support to give voice to our experiences. Feel free to bring a friend. All are welcome.
Presenters
avatar for Abi Cleary

Abi Cleary

Adjunct Lecturer in Spanish, NYSAFLT DEI Committee
Come find out about the NYSAFLT DEI Committee.





















THe Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee strives to be a critical lens for NYSAFLT to explore biases and obstacles to members participating completely in the NYSAFLT community and being represented in areas of leadership... Read More →
DZ

Diana Zuckerman

Retired NYS
Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Street 24
  Session F

2:45pm EDT

Human-Realistic AI Partners: The Future of Interpersonal Speaking Practice
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
High Street 26
Scaling 1-on-1 interpersonal speaking practice in world language classrooms can be challenging. Many students do not receive enough conversation time, struggle to find the right words, and feel less confident as a result. This session explores how teacher-driven AI conversation partners can expand individualized speaking practice and personalized feedback while teachers control the content, pedagogy, and “brain” behind the AI.

What will we discuss?

* Challenges of individualized speaking feedback
* How AI supports frequent, natural conversation practice
* How to program an AI avatar for effective conversations
* Methods for delivering personalized feedback to every student
Presenters
avatar for Ben Altschuler

Ben Altschuler

Founder and CEO, Speakology AI
Speakology AI is an AI-powered language learning platform designed to help students build speaking confidence and proficiency through personalized conversational practice. Students engage in realistic, interactive conversations and receive immediate, individualized feedback, while... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
High Street 26
  Exhibitor Session

2:45pm EDT

2 Worlds Colliding: Special Ed and WL- They can thrive!
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Fort Orange 9
Feedback Survey
Join us to explore how Special Education and World Language expertise combine to create inclusive classrooms where all learners thrive.

In this session, we'll share strategies that helped our students—particularly those new to language learning—succeed with confidence and joy. Discover how our Special Education and Spanish teachers collaborated to bridge disciplines and support diverse learners using best practices from both fields.

You'll learn the critical distinction between accommodations and modifications, and walk away with practical, ready-to-implement techniques for welcoming ALL students into your world language classroom. This session demonstrates that best practices from both fields aren't just compatible—they're transformative.
Presenters
SL
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Fort Orange 9
  Session G

2:45pm EDT

Building a Week of Comprehensible Input: Simple Routines That Work
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
High Street 28
Feedback Survey
What does a Comprehensible Input (CI) classroom look like every day? This interactive workshop demonstrates simple weekly routines that create meaningful communication in the target language. Participants will experience activities such as Calendar Talk, Special Person Interviews, Music Wednesday, Tasty Thursday, and Fun Friday. Through live demonstrations and reflection, teachers will see how predictable routines foster engagement, personalization, and repeated exposure to high-frequency language. Participants will leave with practical ideas for structuring a week of engaging, low-prep CI instruction.
Presenters
QW
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
High Street 28
  Session G

2:45pm EDT

Enhancing Language Learning Through Interactive Notebooks
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Shaker Room
Feedback Survey
Step away from the screen and rediscover the power of the classic composition notebook.
Unlock the potential of interactive notebooks in the language classroom to boost student
engagement, foster creativity, and enhance language retention. This session will explore
innovative ways to integrate interactive notebooks into your teaching practice, providing
students with hands-on learning experiences that support vocabulary acquisition, grammar
understanding, and cultural exploration. Participants will discover practical strategies for
organizing content, assessing student progress, and incorporating multimedia elements. Join us
to learn how to transform your language into dynamic, student-centered learning adventures.
Presenters
avatar for Carina Morales Hauser

Carina Morales Hauser

Spanish Teacher, Long Beach High School
Carina is certified to teach Spanish to grades one through 12 and hold a Master’s degree in Spanish literature and grammar. She has been teaching since 2008, and is currently in her sixth year teaching Spanish in the Long Beach school district. Since starting her career, she has... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Shaker Room
  Session G

2:45pm EDT

Member Organizations Round Table
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
High Street 22
Feedback Survey
This is a space for NYSAFLT Regional organizations to meet and exchange ideas and share conference information. *Invite only*
Presenters
avatar for Wendy Mercado

Wendy Mercado

Spanish Teacher | NYSAFLT President, Bay Shore UFSD
Wendy earned a B.A in Hispanic Language and Literature and a M.A in Liberal Studies from SUNY Stony Brook. She has presented workshops for LILT, NYSAFLT, NECTFL, and ACTFL in addition to serving as the lead organizer for EdCamp WL LI. She has previously been named “Best of NY... Read More →
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
High Street 22
  Session G

2:45pm EDT

Stop the Freeze: Helping students think less and talk more
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Fort Orange 7
Feedback Survey
Why do students shut down during interpersonal tasks? Even after plenty of practice and review, students struggle to respond. This session explores the hidden role of cognitive load in spontaneous communication and how it disproportionately impacts intermediate learners. Through interactive examples and classroom-tested activities, participants will learn how to lower the processing demands of conversations without lowering expectations. Walk away with practical tools to help students stay present, respond more fluidly, and build conversational endurance across languages.
Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Fort Orange 7
  Session G
 

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