Meet the President(s)

2019 President: Heather Giles

Hello! It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your SCFLTA president for 2019-2020.
 
I am originally from Spokane, WA and live in Rock Hill, SC with my husband (Jeff), daughter (Annika), and son (Colton). We love our critter menagerie of seven cats and two dogs. In my spare time, I enjoy DIY projects, reading, kayaking, and anything multi-cultural. For the last 23 years, I have worked at Rock Hill High School, where I teach Spanish 2 and Spanish IB, and have also taught English as a Second Language in the past. I hold degrees from Eastern Washington University and Winthrop University, in addition to being National Board Certified since 2007.
Between the SCOLT conference in March, the inaugural Bilingualism Matters conference hosted by USC, and numerous smaller workshops and meetings with colleagues, this spring has been a season filled with powerful conversations and exchanges of ideas. A common thread running through many conversations has been support and collaboration among language teachers in South Carolina. I am excited about the opportunities for growth with the Seal of Biliteracy along with other state and local initiatives. At the same time, many teachers and schools are facing challenges related to funding, curriculum, and enrollment.  Continuing these conversations is an opportunity to forge new partnerships and share the wealth of ideas and resources with colleagues from all around the state. I would like to invite you to continue these conversations by responding to the short survey below.  What do you most want to talk about? How would you like to take part in the conversations?
 
          SCFLTA Spring 2019 survey (link)                                                        
 
 
Thank you in advance for your feedback, which will be used by the SCFLTA board to plan future workshops and professional development opportunities.
Wishing you a smooth end to the school year and a summer filled with what you love most!

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2019 President-Elect: Dr. Liza Speece 

I am so pleased to be the new President Elect for SCFLTA.  I have been an advocate for world languages in South Carolina for many years, both as a member of SCFTLA and in a variety of other roles, such as non-profit work, consulting and teaching.  I have been serving as the World Language Teacher Support Specialist and recently have been named World Language Coordinator in Lexington One. I have the honor to work with some incredible world language teachers every day.  Before that, I taught third grade Spanish immersion, and prior to that I taught Spanish at Columbia College.  I also currently teach graduate courses in the fields of language and literacy and ESOL.  I am excited to plan the upcoming SCFLTA conference with my fellow board members, and to be of service to you in any way that I can.  ​

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2019 Past-President: Caitlin Howard 

​¡Saludos! I’m Caitlin Howard, SCFLTA Past President. I grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, so I love the Browns, Cavs, Indians, and Buckeyes! I teach Spanish at Clover High School in Clover, SC.
 
I attended Universidad de Murcia in Murcia, Spain 2004-2005, earned my Bachelor’s in Spanish Education from Clarion University of PA in 2006, Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from University of West Florida in 2013, and National Board Certification in Spanish in 2015. This is year 13 of teaching high school Spanish and I love it! I look forward to serving another year on the SCFLTA board and seeing what this year brings. 

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