Congratulations to the 2024 AATG Award Winners!
German Teachers to Receive Awards
The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) recognizes German teachers and programs for their outstanding contributions to the teaching and learning of German in the US. The 2024 award recipients will be recognized at a virtual presentation to be held on November 10.
AATG’s highest honors, the Outstanding German Educator Award has been awarded to Jeanne Schueller, German Language Program Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the University/Collegiate category. Receiving the honor for the High School (9-12 grade) category is Carlos Li-Burse, a teacher of German at The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Lawrenceville, GA. Finally, the recipient in the Primary & Middle School (K-8 grade) category is Kristin Gillett, a teacher of German at Blanchard Middle School, Westford Public Schools in Westford, MA.
The Outstanding German Educator Awards are presented in recognition of demonstrated excellence in German education and creative leadership in German language education in local, state, and national arenas.
Two German programs will be recognized as a German Center of Excellence. This designation is presented to well-established and growing German programs with demonstrated excellence in instruction and strong support from administration, professional colleagues, alumni, and students. This year’s designations are the German Programs at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, LA and Strath Haven Middle and High School in Wallingford, PA.
Charles Bublitz, German teacher at Central High School St. Paul in St. Paul, MN; Anya Zaderej, German teacher at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake CSD in Ballston Lake, New York; and Melinda Zeliff, German teacher at Alonso High School, Tampa in Tampa, FL will receive the German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award.
The Embassy recognizes up-and-coming German teachers for excellence in teaching, creativity, and outstanding dedication.
Outstanding GAPP Coordinator Award
Jason Herrman, German teacher at Horizon High School in Thornton, CO will receive the AATG Outstanding GAPP Coordinator Award.
This award honors German educators who provide opportunities for their students to study abroad on short-term exchanges to Germany through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP).
Alla Schwarz, German teacher at Monroe High School in Monroe, WI will be recognized with the FL-A-CH Award for excellence in the teaching of the language and cultures of Austria, the German-speaking areas of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and South Tyrol.
The award is sponsored by the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Embassy of Switzerland, and the Embassy of Liechtenstein.
Marcia Gascho of the Indiana German Heritage Society will be recognized as this year’s Friend of German, for outstanding support for and promotion of German and the study of German.
The award recognizes those who demonstrate exemplary leadership at the local, regional, or national level in the advocacy of German and German language education.
Five educators will be recognized with the Goethe-Institut/AATG Certificate of Merit for their achievements in furthering the teaching of German: Cornelius Partsch, German professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA; Randall Studt, German teacher at West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School in West Lafayette, IN; Erika Cantin, German teacher at Terre Haute North Vigo High School in Terre Haute, IN; Jeff Packer, German professor at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT; and Meagan Tripp, German professor at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA.
Awards for Best Article of The German Quarterly
Mikael Olsson Berggren, Visiting Professor at Lafayette College, receives the Max Kade Prize for the best article published in The German Quarterly. His article, “Berlin Unter Grund: Vision beyond the Surface City,” examines poetry and short prose depicting journeys on Berlin’s underground rail system in the early twentieth century. The German Quarterly’s 2024 award for the best paper written by a graduate student goes to Benjamin Beese, a graduate student in German Studies at Cornell University, for his paper “Child’s Play and Authoritarianism in T. W. Adorno’s Der Schatz des Indianer-Joe.“
Awards for Best Articles of Die Unterrichtspraxis/ Teaching German
The Best Article in Die Unterrichtspraxis/ Teaching German Award is awarded to Magda Tarnawska Senel of the University of California, Los Angeles for the article: “Contextualizing DEIA in the German Language Classroom: Terminology and History, DDGC and Recent Developments, Practices and Resources." This article offers a profound exploration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in German Studies, specifically focusing on the US context. Its depth of research and critical reflection on inclusive teaching made it the clear winner of the Best Article Award.
Receiving the Best Forum Article for Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German is Priscilla Layne of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Layne’s article presents a compelling and innovative approach to decolonizing German Studies pedagogy through the teaching of the novel Der Unternehmer. Written from an intersectional perspective, the article challenges conventional approaches by engaging with issues of race, gender, and class through White-authored texts. Well-written and highly relevant, this piece makes a significant contribution to DEI-focused pedagogy.
NFMLTA/MLJ Paul Pimsleur Award for Research in World Language Education
Winning the award is James M. Stratton of Penn State for the article: “Implicit and explicit instruction in the second language classroom: A study of learner preferences in higher education." Stratton's article was selected for his careful investigation of learner preferences in the context of implicit and explicit instruction, specifically in L2 German instruction for L1 English speakers. The research highlights the importance of explicit instruction in improving language acquisition, a key finding with direct implications for classroom practice. With its rigorous methodology and relevant contributions to the field, Stratton's work aligns perfectly with the award’s goals, making it highly valuable to the journal and the broader language education profession. The ACTFL reviewers expressed the highest praise for Stratton’s work.
Receiving the Honorable Mention for this award are Theresa Schenker and Lieselotte Sippel of Yale University for their article: "Effects of extended exposure to video in the language classroom on listening proficiency." The article addresses the development of listening comprehension skills in world language learners, using a German web-based telenovela for targeted practice. Reviewers praised the article for bringing attention to a neglected area of language instruction. The authors offered concrete examples and actionable insights, making it easy for educators to replicate the methods. The study’s clear structure, sound motivations, and acknowledgment of its limitations make it a valuable contribution to the field. This article is a valuable resource that can inspire further research and meaningful discussion in language education.
Remarks from AATG President Angelika Becker
"With their dedication to excellence in German language and culture instruction, these award recipients promote the transatlantic friendship between the US and German-speaking countries and foster the much-needed intercultural awareness so their students can lead successful lives in a globalized world,” said Angelika Becker, president of the American Association of Teachers of German.