TFLA Awards and Scholarships
Every year the Texas Foreign Language Association gives awards and scholarships to world language teachers, students and administrators. It is one of the valuable perks of your TFLA membership. We have updated our Awards and Scholarships web pages and application forms and invite you to read the material and apply for yourself or nominate others as you see fit. Any questions can be sent to pastpresident@tfla.info .
TFLA is passionate about honoring excellence in world language education. We offer a variety of awards to recognize language educators, administrators, and friends of the profession. Check here to learn more about the awards and how to nominate someone you know.

Teachers of the Year
Each year the Texas Foreign Language Association recognizes world language teachers for their Excellence in Teaching in the different languages.
Teachers will not necessarily be selected by level, i. e., elementary, secondary, post-secondary, but rather on the criteria listed below. 
Th e awards for Excellence in Teaching are presented at the Fall Conference (annual conference). Factors considered for the Excellence in Teaching awards are:
  • Evidence of outstanding teaching
  • Involvement in campus and language activities
  • Professional contributions
  • Curriculum development and/or publishing
  • Teaching experience
If you wish to nominate one of your TFLA colleagues for this honor, please complete the nomination form. Nominees for Excellence in Teaching awards are requested to present a session or workshop at the Fall Conference and/or submit an article to the TFLA Journal.

All recipients of Excellence in Teaching awards will be interviewed at the TFLA Fall Conference, and one (1) winner will be selected by a committee that will be comprised of three (3) former Teachers of the Year. The winner of the interview, the TFLA Language Teacher of the Year, will represent TFLA at the SWCOLT Spring Conference and will represent Texas as a candidate for the SWCOLT Regional Teacher of the Year. Please visit  http://www.swcolt.org/toy.htm  for more information about the SWCOLT Regional Teacher of the Year application process.

Deadline to submit nomination: March 31.
Deadline to submit nomination packet: April 30.

New Teacher of the Year
Each year, the Texas Foreign Language Association recognizes a New Teacher of the Year. This individual is a TFLA member who has been teaching  a world language for at least two-thirds of their teaching assignment for three (3) years or less. Factors considered in selecting the New Teacher of the Year are:
  • Evidence of outstanding teaching
  • Involvement in campus and language activities

Deadline to submit nomination: March 31.
Deadline to submit nomination packet: April 30.

Administrator of the Year
The TFLA Administrator of the Year Award is given to school administrators who have distinguished themselves through their support of the foreign language program in their schools. A committee will select the recipient of the award and the presentation will be made at the TFLA Fall Conference. Please consider superintendents and principals (K-12) and deans and presidents (college/university) who deserve our recognition as well as elementary/secondary campus and/or central office administrators​.

Deadline to submit nomination: March 31.
Deadline to submit nomination packet: April 30.

Friend of the Profession
The Friend of the Profession Award is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their support of foreign language education. A committee will select the recipient of the award, and the presentation will be made at the TFLA Fall Conference. Please consider business people and community members who deserve our recognition.

Deadline to submit nomination: March 31.
Deadline to submit nomination packet: April 30.

Honorary Lifetime Member
Honorary Lifetime Memberships are awarded to Texas Foreign Language Association members who have made significant contributions to TFLA, to the language teaching profession, and to the wider language community. Honorary Lifetime Members can be nominated by every TFLA member. The Honorary Lifetime Member is chosen by the TFLA Board of Directors.​
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Deadline to submit nomination: March 31.
Deadline to submit nomination packet: April 30.
TFLA enthusiastically supports both students and teachers in their pursuits to continue their language learning. We offer a variety of scholarships and award many recipients each year! Check here to nominate someone or to apply for a scholarship yourself.

New Teacher Conference Scholarship
TFLA would like to recognize the contributions that new teachers make to the profession and encourage them to build strong networks with colleagues across the state by awarding a scholarship to any first or second year teachers to cover the cost of conference registration, ONE workshop, and conference refreshments at the next Annual Conference.
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Application Deadline: September 1

First Time Conference Presenter Scholarship
TFLA would like to encourage members who have never presented a session or workshop at any conference to share their talent and expertise by submitting a proposal and presenting a session or workshop at an upcoming conference. TFLA understands that economic circumstances are obstacles that prevent a talented presenter from attending and presenting at conferences. Therefore, TFLA has created this scholarship to assist the scholarship applicant with the costs of travel and lodging involved. In addition, TFLA will waive the registration fees for the conference for the scholarship applicant. By doing so, TFLA hopes that we will see new, talented presenters that will contribute to the high-quality professional development experience of our conference.
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Application deadline: June 1

T. Earle Hamilton Student Scholarship
In honor of T. Earle Hamilton, founder of the Texas Foreign Language Association, scholarships ranging in amounts from $250 to $2,500 will be presented to outstanding high school seniors who have completed at least the third level of second language study and who plan to continue the study of a foreign language at the college/university level. TFLA members may nominate ONE graduating senior each year. The TFLA Scholarship Committee will select scholarship winners based on academic language study and plans for continued language study.
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​Application deadline: March 23

​Eugenia Simons Memorial Scholarship
Eugenia Simons served TFLA as its Executive Secretary/Treasurer from 1965 until 2015. Eugenia became a TFLA Honorary Member in the 1970s. Eugenia Simons was a middle school Spanish teacher for twenty-seven years. The Eugenia Simons Scholarship for Middle School Teachers was created in her honor. This scholarship is available for Middle School teachers who are seeking to improve their language proficiency and/or improve their teaching methodologies. Middle School teachers who are members of TFLA may apply for a grant to cover to cover the cost of their enrollment at the TFLA Summer Institute to help defray transportation and/or lodging expenses.

Applications must be received by June 1.

Rosemary Patterson Grant
Rosemary Patterson was an outstanding Spanish Teacher at Amarillo High School. She served as a source of inspiration and a role model for teachers and students. Rosemary dedicated her life to foreign language study and teaching. She was known for her vast knowledge of Spanish, quick wit, ability to reason, and strong support for active participation in TFLA. When she passed away in 2003, Rosemary willed part of her estate to the Texas Foreign Language Association. As she requested, TFLA will use the bequest to provide grants to TFLA members for immersion experiences with the goal of improving oral proficiency in the target language. TFLA honored Rosemary by naming the Rosemary Patterson Memorial Grant in her memory.
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Applications can be submitted throughout the year.

Cemanahuac Education Community Scholarship (for Spanish Teachers)
The Cemanahuac Educational Community Scholarship is available to a TFLA-member Spanish teacher. The scholarship program offers Spanish language classes and intensive study of the arts and history of Mexico in an atmosphere of total immersion in the language and culture in the “City of Eternal Spring”, Cuernavaca, Mexico. It is designed for K-16 Spanish teachers and includes two weeks of study, a home-study, a home-stay with a Mexican family, and one field-study excursion. The dollar amount for 2018 is $1,153. This scholarship includes registration, tuition for two weeks, and housing (double occupancy) with all meals. Other expenses, in addition to airfare, which the recipient would have to cover on his/her own, includes ground transportation to Cuernavaca (about $16 US each way), a textbook ($45), cultural field study trips, and personal expenses. The recipient may attend at any convenient time in 2018. A special workshop for language teachers will be offered July 2-15, which has been very well received. It is not necessary to attend from July 2-15, but the interaction with other teachers is very beneficial. For more information, please visit the  Cemanahuac Educational Community  website. 

Currently available. Application deadline: March 15, in order to travel this summer.
Sincerely,

MayDell Jenks
Executive Director
Texas Foreign Language Association
www.tfla.info