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• CT COLT Professional Learning Series - Beyond Words: Building Global Citizens in Language Class

  • When
    February 19, 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  CT COLT is excited to present a series of five webinars for the 2025–2026 school year, themed “From Proficiency to Purpose: Language as a Tool for Impact.”

  We’re continue the series with our third session, “Beyond Words: Building Global Citizens in Language Class,” featuring Dana Martin. Dana, a Spanish teacher in her 13th year at Conard High School, brings passion and innovation to her classroom by designing culturally immersive lessons centered on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She fosters an inclusive environment where students confidently engage with authentic texts, take intellectual risks, and connect language learning to real-world issues. Beyond teaching, Dana mentors new educators, serves as secretary of CT COLT, and shares her ideas statewide through workshops and speaking engagements.

  Session Abstract:

  This webinar showcases world language curricula that build cultural connections through authentic resources and communication. Participants will learn about example interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational tasks rooted in inspiring connection and receive practical resources to strengthen instruction, foster empathy, and inspire globally minded students as agents of change.

  Registration for this workshop is free for CT COLT members. Please direct any questions to the CT COLT PD Committee at professionaldevelopment@ctcolt.org.

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• CT COLT Professional Learning Series - Yes, You Can! Practical Ways to Link Classroom and Community

  • When
    March 12, 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  CT COLT is excited to present a series of five webinars for the 2025–2026 school year, themed “From Proficiency to Purpose: Language as a Tool for Impact.”

  We’re continue the series with our fourth session, “Yes, You Can! Practical Ways to Link Classroom and Community,” featuring Carolina Gieczewski. Carolina, 2025–2026 CT COLT World Language Teacher of the Year, is a trilingual educator with 20 years of experience teaching Spanish in West Hartford, CT. Born in Argentina, she integrates culture, family, and community into her classroom and helps students grow confident, proud, and creative in their language learning. She also advocates for early language access and shares practical strategies with colleagues to make instruction purposeful and rooted in authentic community engagement.

  Session Abstract:

  Learn simple-to-implement ways to link language classrooms with families and communities. This session shares strategies for authentic engagement: bringing families and community into the classroom and extending learning beyond its walls, so students live language with connection, immediacy, and tangible impact.

  Registration for this workshop is free for CT COLT members. Please direct any questions to the CT COLT PD Committee at professionaldevelopment@ctcolt.org.

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• CT COLT Professional Learning Series - Extending IPAs to Connect with Community

  • When
    April 23, 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  CT COLT is excited to present a series of five webinars for the 2025–2026 school year, themed “From Proficiency to Purpose: Language as a Tool for Impact.”

  We’re continue the series with our fourth session, “Extending IPAs to Connect with Community,” featuring Connie Xu and Michelle Nicklas. Connie and Michelle are dynamic world language educators at Hall High School in West Hartford. Connie, a Mandarin teacher since 2013, designs meaningful and culturally rich lessons that inspire students to connect language with real-life understanding. Michelle, an experienced Spanish teacher and CT COLT Membership Chair, is passionate about fostering proficiency, engagement, and professional growth within the language teaching community. Together, they bring creativity and purpose to student-centered language learning.

  Session Abstract:

  Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs) are most powerful when they connect students to authentic audiences and real-life purposes. This session demonstrates how to design IPAs that extend beyond classroom simulations, using examples from Chinese and Spanish programs to show how learners can share cultural traditions, collaborate with peers abroad, and apply global solutions to local challenges. Participants will gain practical strategies for creating performance tasks that transform language into a genuine tool for cultural exchange and problem-solving.

  Registration for this workshop is free for CT COLT members. Please direct any questions to the CT COLT PD Committee at professionaldevelopment@ctcolt.org.

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