Every year the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) nominates one teacher from the state for the Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. This person exemplifies the best in foreign language teaching and pedagogy.

The teacher selected this year is Anita Alkhas, an associate professor in the French department at UWM. Alkhas has been teaching at the university for 20 years. She has been involved with the Wisconsin association for a long time as the group’s chair for professional development.

“While much of her work is done behind the scenes, Anita’s commitment to world language education, outreach and advocacy has had a positive impact throughout the state of Wisconsin,” the state association said in a news release.

Alkhas will represent Wisconsin at the regional level at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Milwaukee in March.

WAFLT also gave a Recognition of Merit to Shinji Takahashi, associate professor of Japanese at UWM, for his work in Japanese education and community building. Takahashi is heavily involved in the Japanese community in Milwaukee, and he serves as president of the Wisconsin Association of Teachers of Japanese and chair of the Milwaukee Japanese Association.

By Claire Hackett, University Relations