2026 NYSAFLT Annual Conference

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 contributions to language education, he was named the 2026 New York State World Language Teacher of the Year. An active leader within the profession, Josh serves as the Director of Western New York on the NYSAFLT Board of Directors, is the NYSAFLT Social Media Co-Chair, and contributes to both the Annual Conference Planning Committee and the Rochester Regional Conference Planning Committee. He will begin his term as NYSAFLT Second Vice President in January 2027. Josh is passionate about helping students develop a love of language while encouraging them to take risks as they encounter new languages and cultures. He is committed to providing authentic learning experiences and fostering global awareness through cultural exploration and travel opportunities. A frequent presenter at regional and state conferences, Josh has shared his expertise on assessment practices, supporting students with special needs in the world language classroom, and aligning instruction with New York State standards. He has also co-presented two webinars for the New York State Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL). Social Media: @mrwigleharris