2002 NECTFL Summary

Breaking a 10-year-old attendance record, this year�s conference at the Hilton in New York City was one of the most successful in the organization�s history. Attendees and exhibitors alike provided positive feedback on evaluation forms, complimenting everything from the smooth registration procedures to the excellent workshop offerings to the variety of materials in the exhibit hall. There were increases in the percentage of Arabic, Japanese, Latin, Russian and Spanish educators, as well as increases in the number of postsecondary and first-time attendees. 21% more colleagues joined us in 2002 than in 2001! Highlights of the conference, held from April 18-21, included:

• Panels exploring the concept of leadership from the perspectives of students, award winners, people raised in other cultures, classroom teachers, higher ed leaders, and more

• Presentation of the Brooks Award to Robert Ludwig of NYSAFLT, of the Dodge Award to Barbara Turlington of ACE, and of the Freeman Award to Linda Quinn Allen of Iowa State University

• Presentation of summer study scholarships by the French Embassy, the Spanish Embassy, and the Goethe Insitut Inter Nationes e.V. - ATTG

• A wide variety of sessions and workshops, offered by seasoned presenters as well as novices, on topics ranging from ASL to teaching literature to assessment at the elementary level and much more

• Concerts by the PS 139 5^th grade Glee Club and by an award-winning piano and cello duo from Indiana University

• A trendy, hip-hop theatrical performance by the young actors of the Rub� Theater

• Meetings of a number of affiliate organizations

• An evening of �On the Town with a Native New Yorker� group excursions (to a French film, Ground Zero, the Village, restaurants, etc.)

• The election of three new NECTFL directors�Roberta Lavine (MD), Scott McGinnis (DC), Sharon Wilkinson (WV)�at the Advisory Council luncheon and business meeting.

• The second NECTFL/VIF Mead Leadership Fellows program

• The second NECTFL Job Fair (with additional districts and schools represented)

• The second �cybervillage� with e-mail access for attendees

• A well-organized and varied program designed to foster networking, collegial discussions, professional development and renewal

Last year, members of our profession demonstrated their commitment to professional development, to the Northeast Conference, to the city of New York, and to the role of language and culture study in making the world a safer place by gathering together for the 49^th annual meeting.� We need to see the same level of commitment in 2003 in Washington DC!

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