Jenniffer Whyte

The SCOLT Awards Committee held virtual interviews March 13,2021. Jenniffer Whyte, a Spanish teacher at The Donoho School in Anniston, AL was awarded the 2021 SCOLT Teacher of the Year Award. Each state in the thirteen state SCOLT region may send one state language Teacher of the Year to the regional conference.

Jenniffer was selected on the basis of her excellence in teaching, her strong contributions to world languages, her letters of recommendation, and an interview. She will now advance to the national competition sponsored by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL). During the ACTFL convention in San Diego, CA this November, she and four other regional teachers will vie for the title of ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year. The teacher selected in November will serve as the national spokesperson for language learning in 2022.

Jenniffer states, “Students should all learn cultural competence and not assume, generalize, or discriminate. As world language teachers we can influence our students. Learning languages opens opportunities that cross cultural lines, color barriers, economic status, and sometimes even a social status. World language instructors are amazing vehicles that drive students to explore a world of possibilities that can change their lives forever. When teaching language, I’m able to teach about different types of people who are already present in our society. People who oftentimes are hidden or ignored by everyone else.”

The Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) is a professional organization whose mission is to promote universal World Language education supported by the community, valued by political and business leaders, encouraged by parents and peers, and taught by exemplary instructors. SCOLT congratulates Elena on this award and thanks her for her efforts to promote world language learning.