The VFLA presents the Distinguished Teacher Award to a foreign language teacher who:
- is innovative and creative in their practice
- reflects on their practice and strives for professional growth
- inspires and encourages students to become active global citizens
- shares expertise with colleagues
- exceeds professional expectations
Congratulations to Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez from The Putney School! He is our VOCALE 2025 Distinguised Teacher of the Year!
Spanish teacher, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee, Latin dance instructor, soccer coach, dorm parent “Students are centered and seen in Abelardo's classroom, and his classroom is the entire campus. Students are speaking Spanish everywhere here! A large proportion of students here go well past the third-level graduation requirement. Abelardo pours his heart into his work. People talk about identity and work-life balance, but Abelardo is a teacher to the bone. It's what he thinks about when he gets up in the morning. It's what we talk about at lunch every day and it's what he works on every evening. He lives the mission of teaching. It's not above and beyond if this is who you are. It's simply how you live and love your life. “ -Glen Littledale, physics teacher at Putney School |
Past recipients of the VOCALE Distinguished Teacher Award
- 2024: Viviana Hardy, Harwood Union High School
- 2023: Caresse Whyte, Lamoille Union High School
- 2022: Lori Dow-Moore. South Burlington High School
- 2021: Magali Simon-Martin. French teacher. CVU.
- 2020: Maureen Davis.
- 2019: Allison Litten, French teacher, Marion Cross School, Hartford, VT.
- 2018: Jori Jacobeit, French teacher, Mt. Abraham Union High School.
- 2017: Patricia Alonzo, Spanish teacher, Rutland Union High School.
- 2014: Dana Brettell, Spanish teacher, The Ford Academy