Awards & Scholarships
MFLA offers a number of awards, recognitions, and scholarships for members and members' students. All you have to do is apply.
Spring Awards for MFLA Members
Maryland Language Teacher of the Year [deadline: 4/30/2025]
The MFLA Language Teacher of the Year Award (TOY) is the first step toward possibly earning the title of ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year. The MFLA TOY will compete with TOYS from participating states at NECTFL. 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.
Dora Kennedy New Teacher Scholarship [will be available Spring 2026]
The purpose of this $500 award is to support MFLA members who are new to the teaching of world languages and interested in participating in a professional learning opportunity to improve their ability to implement current best practices in the classroom.
The MFLA Language Teacher of the Year Award (TOY) is the first step toward possibly earning the title of ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year. The MFLA TOY will compete with TOYS from participating states at NECTFL. 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.
- More details available at this page
- Applications should be submitted via this form
Dora Kennedy New Teacher Scholarship [will be available Spring 2026]
The purpose of this $500 award is to support MFLA members who are new to the teaching of world languages and interested in participating in a professional learning opportunity to improve their ability to implement current best practices in the classroom.
For students of MFLA members
Visual Arts Contest [deadline: 4/30/2025]
This contest engages the students of MFLA members in interpreting the theme for the fall conference through the visual arts in two categories: 2-dimensional representations on paper and digital representations. Winning entries for each category across at all levels of instruction - elementary, middle, high, and higher ed - will receive awards of $50 and the overall winner will receive $100. The sponsoring teacher of the overall winner will receive a free one-year membership renewal.
Ann Beusch Scholarship [deadline: 4/30/2025]
MFLA has established this scholarship to offer financial support in the amount of $750 to a high school senior or current college student who intends to pursue a career in world language education.
This contest engages the students of MFLA members in interpreting the theme for the fall conference through the visual arts in two categories: 2-dimensional representations on paper and digital representations. Winning entries for each category across at all levels of instruction - elementary, middle, high, and higher ed - will receive awards of $50 and the overall winner will receive $100. The sponsoring teacher of the overall winner will receive a free one-year membership renewal.
- More details available at this page
- Applications should be submitted via this form
Ann Beusch Scholarship [deadline: 4/30/2025]
MFLA has established this scholarship to offer financial support in the amount of $750 to a high school senior or current college student who intends to pursue a career in world language education.
- More details available at this page
- Applications should be submitted via this form
Winter Awards for MFLA Members
Escola Teacher Incentive Grant [deadline: 2/21/2025]
This grant offers financial support of $500 to a MFLA member who wishes to complete a project related to classroom instruction. Projects such as the following are acceptable: videos, presentations, written instructional units, handbooks for students, online activities, websites, apps, games, and similar instructional resources. The grant winner will receive up to an additional $500 for materials (after completion of project and submission of receipts).
Celeste Carr Study Abroad Scholarship [will be available Winter 2026]
This $1,000 award provides a study abroad scholarship to a world language educator in Maryland. Priority will be given to individuals who have not had a previous study abroad experience.
This grant offers financial support of $500 to a MFLA member who wishes to complete a project related to classroom instruction. Projects such as the following are acceptable: videos, presentations, written instructional units, handbooks for students, online activities, websites, apps, games, and similar instructional resources. The grant winner will receive up to an additional $500 for materials (after completion of project and submission of receipts).
Celeste Carr Study Abroad Scholarship [will be available Winter 2026]
This $1,000 award provides a study abroad scholarship to a world language educator in Maryland. Priority will be given to individuals who have not had a previous study abroad experience.
Fall Awards for MFLA Members
A & R Productions Scholarship [will be available Fall 2025]
This scholarship provides free registration to the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL) to two world language educators.
Kim Shinozaki Award (new!) [will be available Fall 2025]
This award recognizes a Language Leader (e.g., administrator, coordinator, supervisor, or teacher leader) who actively supports language study. Any MFLA member in good standing can nominate a leader. The award's funding must be used for professional learning in leadership or to support innovative language programs and will be disbursed upon completion of the development
NECTFL MEAD Innovation Fellowship [will be available Fall 2025]
The Mead Program supports individuals in the development of a project that contributes to the world language teaching profession and advances quality language instruction. Each scholarship recipient will be assigned a mentor with expertise in the area of that person’s project, and NECTFL will facilitate virtual and, if possible, face-to-face meetings of the two.
This scholarship provides free registration to the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL) to two world language educators.
Kim Shinozaki Award (new!) [will be available Fall 2025]
This award recognizes a Language Leader (e.g., administrator, coordinator, supervisor, or teacher leader) who actively supports language study. Any MFLA member in good standing can nominate a leader. The award's funding must be used for professional learning in leadership or to support innovative language programs and will be disbursed upon completion of the development
NECTFL MEAD Innovation Fellowship [will be available Fall 2025]
The Mead Program supports individuals in the development of a project that contributes to the world language teaching profession and advances quality language instruction. Each scholarship recipient will be assigned a mentor with expertise in the area of that person’s project, and NECTFL will facilitate virtual and, if possible, face-to-face meetings of the two.
