Sheri possesses a broad view of our profession, bridging literary, linguistic, and teaching colleagues, focused on “unifying teachers and professors of all levels to the betterment of the whole.”
At the end of all episodes, I ask the guest, “Turning now to those listening, what is the last thing you want to others to hear from you about this topic?” What would that be for you, on the topic of multiplying opportunities and hope?
As you listen to Episode 19, reflect on the various roles you play that may have a “multiplier effect” in your family, community, work or organization. What skills do you share with and teach to others? To whom else do you connect those that need to learn and grow, and how have you built those networks? In what ways are you especially talented in offering encouragement? What doors to opportunities do you open? What doors have been open to you?
Sheri Spaine-Long’s bio and resources:
Sheri Spaine Long (Ph.D. UCLA) is the Executive Director of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). Formerly a faculty member, department chair, and study abroad program director, Sheri rose to the rank of tenured Professor of Spanish at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was appointed Distinguished Visiting Professor at the United States Air Force Academy. More recently, Sheri served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Languages and Culture Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Sheri began her Spanish-teaching career at Northwest Junior High School in Coralville, Iowa. From the early days, Sheri defined herself as a Spanish teacher that takes pride in having the privilege of training of more than fifty Spanish teachers (K-12) and college professors—as well as many professionals in other fields such as medicine, law, management, etc.
Sheri has had over thirty years of experience in language education, primarily teaching undergraduate and graduate level Spanish courses, as well as substantial involvement in K-12 teacher preparation. As AATSP Executive Director, Sheri continues to enjoy a robust career while advocating for language learning/instruction at all levels across languages with special attention to Spanish and Portuguese. She is a collaborative colleague, teacher, researcher, editor, and experienced administrator. She possesses a broad view of our profession. Sheri bridges interests of colleagues whose primary background is literary, others who are focused on linguistics/applied linguistics, and yet others who are concerned principally with teaching. She has a record of unifying teachers and professors of all levels to the betterment of the whole.
As AATSP Executive Director, she serves on a variety of boards and committees such as Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL-NCLIS), Federación Internacional de Asociaciones de Profesores de Español (FIAPE), National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Association (NFMLTA), and America’s Languages Working Group (WG).
Sheri has published more than 85 articles, chapters, and reviews and as well as twelve textbooks for Spanish teaching. She served as Editor of Hispania – A journal devoted to the teaching of Spanish and Portuguese,the scholarly journal of the AATSP, and also was Editor-in-Chief Foreign Language Annals published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). She received the prestigious Steiner Award for Leadership in Foreign Language Education from ACTFL in 2009. Among other accolades, she was honored with the UAB Minority Health and Research Center Charles Barkley Excellence in Mentoring Award as well as being inducted into La Orden de los Descubridores by Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society.
spainelong@aatsp.org
Resources
Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
JNCL-NCLIS Legislative Action Center
Federación Internacional de Asociaciones de Profesores de Español (FIAPE)
National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Association (NFMLTA)
America’s Languages: Guide to Exemplary Programs & Practices
ACTFL journal: Foreign Language Annals
To learn more about previous guests on It’s About Language or access other episodes of the podcast, visit It’s About Language or click on the Podcast tab above.
2 thoughts on “Introducing Sheri Spaine-Long (Episode 19)”
Comments are closed.