FOR TEACHERS
SCHOLARSHIPS | PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIPS
Carlos V/MAFLA Scholarship - 2026
Looking to enhance your Spanish skills and immerse yourself in Spain’s rich culture? The Carlos V/MAFLA Scholarship offers an exciting opportunity to participate in summer courses in Spain.
The Carlos V/MAFLA Scholarship includes any of their summer courses in Seville, or Málaga, the winning candidate can choose the location desired. This is a great opportunity for MAFLA members to combine language learning with cultural immersion. The program is entirely in Spanish. See details.
Participants can earn 30 PDPs through a 20-hour classroom program plus 10 hours of cultural excursions, with an option to extend for two weeks to double the content and PDPs. The program provides valuable resources, unit ideas, and instructional activities incorporating Spanish culture.
Summer 2026 Course Dates:
- Seville: June 28 – July 5, 2026
- Málaga: July 5 – July 12, 2026
Submit your application here.
The Department Chairperson or Principal of the scholarship applicant submits the recommendations here.
Don't miss this incredible professional development opportunity!
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
MAFLA World Language Teacher of the Year
Individual members, local language associations, and education collaboratives are invited to submit a nominee for the MAFLA World Language Teacher of the Year (TOY) award.
TOY is intended to elevate the status of our profession and to create opportunities to recognize our most accomplished world language teachers and language advocates. The Teacher of the Year Program has created and sustained opportunities for world language advocacy in Massachusetts and beyond. Moreover, it is intended to create as many opportunities as possible to increase the visibility of the importance of learning languages and cultures to the general public.
Successful candidates must be full-time language educators who spend at least fifty percent (50%) of their time in direct teaching during the year of application with an expectation of teaching during the next two (2) years. All candidates must be MAFLA members to be eligible for the award.
Evaluation of Candidates:
• The MA World Language Teacher of the Year will be selected based on the portfolio's evidence of the teacher's ability to communicate ideas clearly, commitment to the profession, and professional growth.
• Finalists will be interviewed by members of the MAFLA Teacher of the Year Committee via Zoom at a mutually agreed upon time and will be announced during the Annual Fall Conference in October.
Click MAFLA TOY 2027 for all details and requirements for this award
MaFLA Teacher of the Year Past Winners
New Teacher Commendation
MAFLA’s mission encompasses the mentoring, support and professional growth of new teachers in the profession. This commendation awards a MAFLA membership to the honored new teacher. Deadline: May 1, 2026
Distinguished Service Award
Do you know someone who has provided exceptional and meritorious service to the world language profession in Massachusetts? If so, consider nominating that individual for MAFLA Distinguished Service Award. Nominations should be submitted through this link
Please note the DSA Rubric below. Deadline: May 1, 2026
MAFLA Service Awards
Do you have 25 years of service as a world language teacher? Are you retiring this year? If so, let MAFLA honor you. Submit your information here.
These awards honor retiring foreign language teachers and those with 25 years of service in the foreign language teaching profession are presented at the Annual Meeting each year.
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Friend of World Languages Award
The Friend of World Languages Award is conferred by the MAFLA Board members to recognize an individual, organization, or group outside the world language teaching profession that has demonstrated exceptional support for world language education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This award honors those whose advocacy, collaboration, or service has significantly contributed to the advancement of language learning and intercultural understanding. It is a distinguished recognition, awarded at the discretion of the Board, to acknowledge contributions that extend beyond the classroom yet deeply impact the field.
NECTFL - MEAD Innovation Fellowship
This fellowship supports an individual in the development of a project that contributes to world language teaching profession and advances quality language instruction. The program was created to develop innovators for the profession at the state, regional, and national levels.
Educators of ALL LANGUAGES at ALL LEVELS are encouraged to apply to this program, designed to identify innovative leaders and to support the development of their specific projects. The fellows must teach in one of the fourteen partner states of the Northeast Conference: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Each fellow is assigned a mentor with expertise in the area of that fellow’s project, and NECTFL will facilitate virtual and, if possible, face-to-face meetings.
Apply here