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FFLAG Awards: Nomination Form
FLAG Awards: General Application Form
Teacher of the Year Award
Recognizes teachers who effectively strive to use various strategies, techniques, and materials to enhance the students' interest in, acquisition of, and proficiency in a second language. Two divisions will be recognized: P-12 and Post-Secondary.
Fostering Partnerships With World Languages
Recognizes teachers who have sought to involve the broader community in World Language activities, which may occur on or away from campus.
FLAG Awards: Innovative Programs Application
Nominations by December 2, 2025. All dossiers submitted by December 15, 2025
Our Amazing 2026 Award Recipients
Teacher of Promise: Elena Lorenz
My world language philosophy is rooted in the belief that language learning should open doors to connection, curiosity, and confidence especially for students who have limited exposure to Spanish in their daily lives. My goal is for students not only to learn Spanish, but to discover that they belong in a global community that extends far beyond our rural setting. Through accessible resources, interactive learning, and consistent exposure to authentic Spanish, I strive to make language learning a meaningful and transformative experience. Her student shares, “It is not hard to tell that she is enthusiastic to teach us, which in turn, makes the class and I more excited to learn and absorb what she is teaching. She also makes learning fun by using physical or verbal activities.”
The World Language profession in the State of Georgia is fortunate to have many dedicated individuals working to support and improve World Language instruction. To recognize outstanding contributions to the profession, FLAG offers awards in the areas of teaching, supervision, and support for World Languages in our state. Below are links to pertinent information - be sure to review all pages!
For Awards-related questions, please contact the Awards Coordinator: Email
FLAG Innovative Programs Award
Teacher of Promise Award
Recognizes teachers in their first, second, or third year of teaching who show the promise to be an outstanding teacher in World Language education. Two divisions will be recognized: P-12 and Post-Secondary.
Administrative Support of World Languages
Recognizes a Georgia Dean, Superintendent, Principal, or other administrator who has evidenced strong and overt support for World languages.
Please read the entire document as some items have been updated.
Leadership and Support Awards Criteria
Please read the entire document as some items have been updated.
Teacher of the Year: Kelsey Brown
Mrs. Brown teaches for equity, meaning that she teaches in a way that all students can be successful, using best practices via brain-friendly delivery. She prioritizes strong relationships with students, equity in learning, and maintaining an active classroom environment where all students feel capable and accountable for their own learning. She holds continuous professional growth in high importance, as well as community involvement; including collaborating with colleagues across departments, and offering language learning opportunities for parents. Overall, Mrs. Brown views language teaching as both an academic and a social responsibility, using research-based practices to help students become confident communicators and thoughtful global citizens.
Administrative Support Award: Dr. Melinda Mollette
Dr. Mollette has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of and commitment to high-quality world language and dual language immersion instruction. She has been especially supportive of innovative approaches that leverage technology to expand access, collaboration, and efficiency for educators across the state. As the primary architect and driving force behind the Georgia Dual Immersion Institute (GADII), Dr. Mollette has demonstrated the kind of visionary leadership and operational excellence that defines the very best of Georgia’s educational administrators. During the planning and implementation of GADII, she embraced and facilitated the use of digital tools to support communication, coordination, and participation among presenters and attendees who were geographically dispersed. In all her work, Melinda Mollette exemplifies the role of an administrator who not only supports world language programs in principle, but actively invests time, resources, and leadership to ensure their growth and success.
P-12 Leadership Award: Dr. Jo Anna Arnold
What sets Dr. Arnold apart is her ability to build community. She connects educators, students, and families through language, creating spaces where learning is meaningful and inclusive. Her dedication to world language education has strengthened programs, empowered teachers, and inspired countless learners to see language as bridges rather than barriers. Since joining RESA in the fall of 2024, Dr. Arnold has established a world language and ESOL consortium that convenes world language educators four times a year. This collaborative professional network creates opportunities for world language educators to expand professional learning. strengthen their instructional practices and encourage teacher retention. Through this consortium, teachers are empowered to foster meaningful collaboration and elevate the visibility and quality of world language programs in rural communities.
Post- Secondary Leadership Award: Claire Ezekiel
The impact of Ms. Ezekiel’s work has been transformative. Ms. Ezekiel’s worked co-authored the Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG) grant that enabled the French program to transition to Open Educational Resources for its entire language sequence, saving money for students and increasing access to courses. In fall 2025, Ms. Ezekiel named UWG’s Coordinator of Teaching Certification in French and Spanish. She revised curriculum, organized course offerings, mentored students, and taught several courses. Ms. Ezekiel also organized the first annual college-wide Teacher Education Expo to increase awareness of UWG’s teaching certification programs. She then organized the first annual International Languages and Cultures Symposium, which brought together K-12 and university language educators from throughout the region to present pedagogical research, swap innovative techniques, and strengthen collaboration between K-12 and university programs
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Leadership & Support Awards
The following are the regular awards. Linked titles take you to a list of the criteria and requirements. All nominees and nominators for Teaching Awards must be current FLAG members in order to be nominated or to nominate.
Teaching Awards
Leadership Award
Recognizes those who have taken an active role in promoting World language education through professional endeavors. Two divisions will be recognized: P-12 and Post-Secondary.
