Massapequa Foreign Language Teachers Honored

Massapequa educators Janice Kincaid and William Anderson were honored before 325 of their colleagues during the 97th Annual Conference of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT).

Kincaid, a veteran Spanish teacher at Alfred G. Berner Middle School and the first world language teacher on Long Island to receive National Board Certification, was honored with the Ruth E. Wasley Distinguished Teacher Award, in recognition of her innovative and creative teaching methods. Named after a former secretary of NYSAFLT and a professor and teacher/trainer of foreign language methodology at SUNY Albany, the award pays tribute to those who emulate her innovative and creative style and her legacy as an outstanding role model for students.

While she currently teaches Spanish to both seventh and eighth graders, Kincaid has also taught French and English as a Second Language (ESL) throughout her 33-year career, 14 of which have been in the Massapequa School District. What makes her most proud as a language teacher, she said, is when her students, both past and present, tell her about the different ways they use Spanish in their personal lives.

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“They are both proud and excited to share their experiences with me,” she said. “Their use of Spanish outside the classroom shows me that their second language has become a meaningful and useful part of their lives.”

In addition to being National Board certified, Kincaid participates in Harvard University’s Project Zero program, which assists educators in creating innovative learning environments that promote deep learning and understanding. She also immersed herself in researching the success of Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling.

Known for being passionate and driven about her field, Superintendent Lucille F. Iconis said, “The field of education is fortunate that Janice Kincaid made the decision to enter its ranks and the Massapequa School District is privileged that she is part of its team. Her commitment to her students and to educational excellence makes her the perfect professional to receive this distinguished honor.”

Anderson, the district’s curriculum associate for Languages Other Than English and English as a Second Language, K-12, and outgoing President of NYSAFLT, was the recipient of the Ferdinand DiBartolo New York State Distinguished Foreign Language Leadership Award in recognition of his dedication and service to the organization and to the profession.

An educator for 25 years, Anderson has been the district’ Curriculum Associate since 2008 after serving as the department chairperson for three years and teaching Spanish in the district since 1998. As Curriculum Associate, he said he is most proud of introducing Chinese into the district’s language curriculum in 2009 and of writing the successful Confucius Classroom grant, awarded to high schools with model Chinese language programs and worth $10,000 per year. In addition to serving as president, one of the many ways Anderson has served the organization was organizing and chairing its 2011 Summer Institute, for which he was recognized with a service award.

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