PHS teacher attends language conference

SANDY NICHOLSON Plymouth High School German teacher Sandy Nicholson was invited to attend the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Convention, held Nov. 20 to 23 in San Antonio.

Approximately 6,000 educators attended the conference, which featured presentations on many different topics, from curriculum to methodology to long term goals for districts to assessments. Nicholson attended several different sessions and will share what she learned with her department and with district administrators.

“I was able to network extensively and made some connections that will help with my master’s research and classroom goals,” she said.

The conference also offered the opportunity to collaborate with other GAPP teachers from throughout the United States. GAPP is an organization funded by the German Government that assists teachers with their German exchanges, offering support (insurance, funding) and stipends for students to visit museums and other attractions while in Germany, as well.

GAPP also funded Nicholson’s trip to the conference, where she attended special sessions outside of the conference with other GAPP teachers to discuss ways to improve their programs. A new requirement put in place by GAPP is that participants work on projects; PHS is exploring recycling as one possible theme and hopes to further projects already under way in the district and community, Nicholson said.