The Adirondack Foreign Language Enhancement Fund (AFLEF) at Adirondack Foundation awarded $39,492 in grants to 15 schools across the Adirondack region in 2022.

The Foreign Language Fund supports innovation in French and Spanish classrooms and elevates the status of language teachers in the teaching community.

“This year’s recipients all demonstrated a continued commitment to their students and to finding ever more creative ways to teach them a love of a foreign language and culture,” said Heidi de Bethmann of the AFLEF selection committee. “They have done this despite the unprecedented challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanks to their own ongoing search for new methods of teaching and learning. The students who will benefit from these grants will not only improve their language skills, they will open their minds to the world and other cultures.”

“It’s vital that as educators, we keep up with the ever-changing environment of world language standards,” said Jessica Klimkiewicz, a French teacher at Plattsburgh Central School District. “We’re so grateful to the Adirondack Foreign Language Fund for recognizing the importance of foreign language learning and investing in our students.”

The 20 grants awarded in 2022 supported activities ranging from new classroom technology and learning programs to training and professional development for teachers. Schools that received funding ranged from pre-K to high school and represent both public and private institutions, including AuSable Valley Central School, Lake Placid Central School, Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm, Little Peaks, Mayfield Central School, Northeastern Clinton Central School, Plattsburgh City School District, Queensbury Union Free School, Remsen Central School District, St. Agnes School, St. Regis Falls Central School, Ticonderoga Central School, Tupper Lake Central School District, Wells Central School District and Willsboro Central School.

To learn more about the Adirondack Foreign Language Enhancement Fund and Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org.

Photo at top: Students at Lake Placid’s St. Agnes School hone their foreign language skills, with support from Adirondack Foundation’s Adirondack Foreign Language Enhancement Fund. Photo credit Nancie Battaglia.