Project C.A.F.E.*

*Calling All Future Educators!

“Teacher shortage” and “teacher retention”:  these are two phrases heard loudly across the country.  North Carolina foreign language teachers are addressing these issues through Project C.A.F.E. (Calling All Future Educators).  This is an initiative to identify and recognize outstanding young people who could have a future in teaching a world language other than English.  As their nominating teacher, you will build a recognition program that suits you and your students. 

Over 100 students have been recognized since Project C.A.F.E. began in 2003.  The role of FLANC has been to serve as liaison among the various CAFÉ programs across the state, to share information among those teachers, and to recognize the CAFÉ teachers and students at the Conference.  

Let’s “plant the seed” about becoming a WLOE teacher in the minds of outstanding young people! They are our future!

  

Awards will be given at FLANC for K – 16 teachers who have done exceptional work recruiting and retaining new foreign languageteachers to the profession.  These individuals will be awarded the “You are Someone Special” Award as a part of Project C.A.F.É.

 

 

Click here for Project C.A.F.E. Forms

Click here to view the Project C.A.F.E. student video

Possible Goals/ideas for Project C.A.F.E. at your school.

 

1. Recognition Program.  First and foremost, Project C.A.F.E. is a way to recognize students.  Sometimes the simple honor of being selected as “a student who exhibits the CAFÉ criteria” will be enough to encourage this child to seriously consider a future as a foreign language teacher. This recognition can come in the form of a certificate, a presentation in front of the school, an announcement on the school news/newspaper, a picture in the community paper or the PTA newsletter. Let administrators and other faculty know about the honor, and notify local superintendents and educators.

2.  Tutoring program.  If it is convenient for you to set up a tutoring program, then the possibilities are endless.  This can be done with neighboring schools or even just with lower level classes. You can provide teaching tips and materials or they might be motivated to make their own.  Even an opportunity to teach their own class for a short time might prove rewarding.

3.  Visits to other language classes.  This is especially beneficial for high school students who can arrange a visit to local colleges that have teacher education programs, or for university language majors who might want to arrange to visit a high school language class.

4.  Share their language enthusiasm.  Have the C.A.F.E. students be in charge of bulletin boards, posters, announcements, etc.  Anything that is done at school can also be done in a foreign language…and it is great publicity for your program!  Posters, songs and cheers for sporting events; music for school dances, skits for PTA meetings, T-shirts, etc.  The possibilities are endless…

5.  Classroom assistant.  Your C.A.F.E. student can be your helper…and may be the person that you share some of your teaching ideas with.

 

Recognition Program

 

Remember:  this needs to be a big deal for the student and his/her family.  A formal certificate and a photo of you presenting this to the student would be important.  This might be done at the end of the year Honors Banquet or at a special language event planned by you, the teacher.  Family members could be invited and photos could be sent to the local paper.  This is good publicity for your program and a great honor for your student. Send copies to the local school board and superintendent, as well as the PTA and principal.  And post it in the teacher’s lounge!