Melba D. Woodruff Award

Elementary World Language Program

Woodruff

Melba D. Woodruff Award for Exemplary Elementary World Language Program

Melba D. Woodruff was a classroom teacher for over 40 years and it was in the classroom where she had her most profound impact. She encouraged her students to do their best, dream their dreams, and work hard to fulfill them. For many of her students Woodruff was more than their professor, she became their mentor and friend. In addition, Woodruff was a leader of the profession as an author and officer of many professional organizations.

In recognition of Woodruff’s dedication to the profession, this award was established in 2004 with funds from a series of national conferences on world language acquisition by children donated by Dr. Michael Evans and Dr. Rosemarie Benya to recognize an exemplary K-6 world language program. All types of elementary world language programs, including but not limited to FLES and immersion, are invited to apply.

The recipient will receive an honorarium sent to the school or program.

Procedures for Nomination

  1. The nomination dossier must include the following documents (in order):
    1. A cover letter introducing the nominee and other dossier materials to follow, signed by nominator or by self-nominee (not to exceed 500 words).
    2. A program narrative addressing the award criteria (not to exceed 4500 words).
    3. Letters of support – maximum of 3; including but not limited to colleagues, supervisors, current or former students, and administrators.
    4. Other supporting documentation (not to exceed either 10 pages or 4500 words, whichever is less) that documents the program's characteristics, curriculum and assessment, staff, and advocacy efforts for world language education (see rubric for specific criteria and indicators); supporting materials may include links to video or audio files (each link counts as 1 page).
  2. Complete nomination dossiers must be submitted through the online form in one PDF file by the deadline.

NOTE: No member or officer of the ACTFL or Language Connects Foundation Board of Directors may write a letter of support for any award nominee or actively shepherd the nomination of an award nominee. No member or officer of the ACTFL or Language Connects Foundation Board of Directors, or ACTFL employee is eligible for nomination for any award while holding these positions.

Criteria for Eligibility (Checklist)

  1. Programs must be nominated by an ACTFL member.
  2. Programs must serve only elementary school students (grades pK-6).
  3. Dossier includes introductory cover letter, CV, maximum of three letters of support, and supporting documentation combined in one PDF file.

Nominations Currently Closed

Help us to celebrate excellence! The nomination period will reopen in Spring 2025.

Procedures for the Selection Committee

  1. The award Selection Committee will be chaired by a member of ACTFL, invited by the current ACTFL President.
  2. Committee members will be selected from those that apply as volunteers.
  3. Committee members rate and rank the dossiers using the award rubric and return their ratings and rankings to the Committee Chair or Co-Chairs by an agreed upon date.
  4. The Committee may meet as many times as needed to decide on the award recipient.
  5. At the discretion of the Committee, the award may or may not be presented during a given year.
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Melba D. Woodruff Award Rubric

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PDF 2024 Awards Program

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