2026 NYSAFLT Annual Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 109th NYSAFLT Annual Conference!

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8:30am EDT

Screen-Free, Student-Focused: Energizing Your Classroom

Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Let’s get back to the basics—screen-free and student-centered. This interactive session shares low-prep, high-movement strategies that spark communication, support diverse learners, and boost engagement across proficiency levels while helping teachers manage workload and build classroom community.

Presenters

Daniela Casadei-Berwind

Three Village SD

Daniela Casadei-Berwind teaches Italian and Spanish at Murphy Junior High in Three Village. Previously, she also taught at Ward Melville High School and Long Island Lutheran. Before becoming a secondary-level teacher, she was an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and Molloy College... Read More →

Katina Price

District Coordinator | LILT President, Sewanhaka Central High School District

Katina Price is the District Coordinator of World Languages at Sewanhaka CHSD and has over 15 years of teaching experience. She holds degrees from Hofstra University, Saint Louis University (Madrid Campus), and St. John’s University. She has presented a variety of workshops for... Read More →

Faith Tripp

Director of World Languages & ENL, East Williston School District

516-333-7214

Saturday October 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Fort Orange 5

Session D

Language of presentation English
Examples in Italian, English and Spanish
Applicable to Any
Level FLES/Early Language Middle/Junior Secondary

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

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 →

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

Language of presentation English
Examples in English and Spanish
Applicable to Any
Level All Levels

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

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

Language of presentation English
Examples in English and Spanish
Applicable to Any
Level All Levels

2:45pm EDT

Assigned but Unprepared: Supporting New Teachers Without Burnout

Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

Fort Orange 5

Feedback Survey

Mentors are often assigned, but rarely prepared. Too often, we mentor based on what we can give, not what our mentees need, leaving new teachers unsupported and mentors overwhelmed especially in a field facing declining numbers of World Language educators. This session is designed for teacher mentors seeking a clear, practical structure for year-long support. Using a three-phase framework (Launch → Support → Sustain), participants will analyze real scenarios and develop a customizable mentoring roadmap for contexts where content-specific mentorship is limited. Attendees will leave with a first-meeting conversation guide, WL-specific look-fors, and tools to support mentees effectively—without adding to their own workload.

Presenters

Nicholas Amster

Saturday October 17, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Fort Orange 5

Session G

Language of presentation English
Examples in English and Spanish
Applicable to Any
Level All Levels Middle/Junior Secondary

8:30am EDT

11:30am EDT

1:30pm EDT

2:45pm EDT

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