Program+Development+-+About+Us

Here is a brief bio of each member of our working group. (Each member create a brief biographical paragraph, include a photo if possible.)
 * **Elena Farkas:** I was born and raised in former USSR, now it is called the Russian Federation. I graduated from the State Pedagogical University in Magadan that is located in North part of Russian Far East. I graduated with honors and earned a Master’s Degree in Education and Linguistics (US equivalent) and Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and English. In Russia I taught Social Studies and English for the grades 4-12. Then the era of perestroika began. That historical event has been influencing the process of "warm up" between our countries. Since 1988 I have been an active participant in developing cultural ties between Russian Far East and Alaska. That “warm wind” brought me to Anchorage, Alaska. I have been teaching Russian with the Anchorage School District for the last 6 years. I had coordinated the FLAP grant “Troika” that focused on developing materials and curriculum to teach Russian in the middle school. The Product of “Troika” has been successfully shared between US high schools and universities that have the Russian language programs. Currently I work as a Russian Immersion program coordinator (FLAP grant “MIR”). Some aspects of my work are materials and curriculum development, vertical curricular articulation (K-16), multicultural education, community involvement and connections, professional development. Also, I teach and develop courses on various aspects of Russian language in the University of Alaska Anchorage. I have been actively participating and presenting at the numerous conferences (ACTFL, AATSEEL and ACTR, CARTA and Two-way CABE), language institutes and workshops. Since 2005 I have been serving on the Board of Director of ACTR (American Council of Teachers of Russian.) Some of my professional interests are the second language acquisition and the brain development of young learners, various ways of multicultural education in diverse communities, students with special needs, methodology and pedagogy in Immersion programs. || **Elena Farkas [[image:Elena.jpg width="79" height="111"]]** ||
 * **Gregory Barfield:** I have been World Languages Coordinator for the Fulton County School System in Atlanta, Georgia, since October 2004. The district offers Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Latin, French, and Spanish. Prior to that, I taught French and was department chair in a neighboring district. During my career, I have been activiely involved with with FLAG (Foreign Language Association of Georgia), SCOLT, AATF, and ACTFL and NADSFL. I have served as state president of AATF, and for FLAG, I have served as advocacy director, second vice present, first vice present, president-elect. I will begin my term as president in March 2007. For the past two years, I have been honored to be Georgia's delegate to the JNCL-NCLS conference in Washington, DC. My education background is A.B. in French, University of Georgia, M.Ed. in Secondary Education, West Georgia College, and Ed.D. in Language Education, the University of Georgia. In my spare time, I love to travel internationally. || **Gregory Barfield:** Photo ||
 * **Steve Brock:** As Supervisor of International Languages for the Omaha Public Schools, Steve Brock understands effective practices in curriculum, instruction, and assessment; moreover, he works with teachers in Chinese, French, German, Latin and Spanish daily on issues of language instruction. His education has taken him throughout the Midwest (A.B., //summa cum laude//, Saint Louis University; M.Ed., University of Minnesota; M.S., Creighton University; Ph.D., University of Nebraska). During his seven years teaching German at a high school with the largest minority population in Nebraska, enrollment increased from three to six classes; in 1999, the Nebraska Foreign Language Association honored him as its outstanding teacher. Steve has served as president of the Nebraska International Languages Association; president of the Nebraska-AATG that piloted “German Week,” which became the model for the nation; and executive board member for the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL). In addition to composing articles, Steve has authored numerous grants, including “The Year of Languages,” “La Vida in el Mundo Español,” and “Black Germans—An Invisible Culture.” For his leadership in the community, he was recognized by the Omaha Jaycees as one of “Ten Outstanding Young Omahans” and in “Who’s Who in America.” Presently, Steve is the Vice-Chair of the Central States Conference for the Teaching of Foreign Languages. In addition to the MLC Institute this summer, he is looking forward to traveling to China at the end of June as a member of the College Board/HANBAN educational tour. When in Omaha, he lives with his lovely daughters Claudia (11) and Etienne (9), and his pugnacious English bulldog Mr. Gladstone. || **Steve Brock ** [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/user/pic/slb5150-lg.jpg width="101" height="82"]] [[image:DSC_00036.jpg width="105" height="158"]] ||
 * **Rosanne Zeppieri:** I have been a world languages educator for the past 20 + years, working at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the last 6 years, I have supervised 35 teachers in a large suburban school district in central New Jersey where we offer students choice among French, German, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. In my present position, I train, coach, and evaluate teachers, develop curriculum in concert with teachers, and coordinate efforts with the other supervisor to ensure vertical articulation K-12. The Supervisors' Roundtable, a group of educators across the state, in collaboration with our state coordinator awarded the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District's world languages program (K-8) Model Program status. In this capacity, we welcome educators to visit, discuss program implementation and instructional practices, and share curriculum. Additionally, I have been fortunate to coordinate a FLAP grant with 5 colleagues in the state of NJ. Our project centered on leading teachers to develop a database of thematically-organized performance assessments in the three modes of communication. I am pleased to announce that we will publish the performance tasks, rubrics, and some samples of student work on the Internet later this month at www.flenj.org. My colleagues and I have presented our project at regional and national conventions. In early July, we will travel to Salamanca to discuss the project at the AATSP Convention. An important aspect of my professional development is the work I have done as a member of the executive board of the Foreign Languages Educators of NJ (FLENJ). We provide professional development to teachers throughout the state, award grants to teachers and scholarships to students, and advocate for world languages at the local, state, and national levels. When I am not at work, I live with my husband in Freehold, NJ (boyhood home of Bruce Springsteen). We have two adult children. We have lived in the Finger Lakes Region of New York state and in New Jersey where we love the proximity to the shore and to NYC. My husband is an engineer; my son lives in Boston where he works for Boston University in the technology department; my daughter is a lobbyist in the Washington, DC area. I enjoy reading (when I have time), traveling, viewing films, and art. I look forward to the work we will accomplish together at the MLC Institue. || **Rosanne Zeppieri:** Bio ||


 * 1. One thing that you should know about my life is . .**

Steve Brock: My life is totally blessed with a wonderful family and friends, and a great job.

Greg Barfield: I look forward to coming to work every day. Even on bad days, I love my job.

Elena Farkas: I'm living my second life in the USA that help me to make my dreams come true.

Rosanne Zeppieri: I have a supportive family, good friends, and a challenging job.

2. One thing that I’d like to know about you is . ..
Steve Brock: What acts you have seen in concert: Pour moi, here's a representative list: the original Queen with Freddie Mercury, Aerosmith (twice: in '79 and '96), the Kinks (3 times), Michael Jackson (Bad Tour), Springsteen, and of course Van Halen (too often to count).

Greg Barfield: Where is your favorite place to visit and why?

Elena Farkas: Have you ever gone ice fishing or seen 'white nights"?

Rosanne Zeppieri: What are your passions?

3. Three ideas or experiences that have significantly influenced my philosophy of teaching and learning are . ..
Steve Brock: 1) Studying philosophy (over 65 graduate hours therein), 2) Working with the poor in Belize, El Salvador, Nicuragua, Pine Ridge, and Omaha, and 3) Twisting balloon animals.

Greg Barfield: 1. My student teaching cooperating supervisor. 2. Sitting in on many IEP conferences. 3.Observing a kindergarten Japanese class at Mimosa Elementary.

Elena Farkas:1. Living in US,2. Working in US, 3. Teaching in US.

Rosanne Zeppieri: Reading and studying SLA theory and research; teaching students and teachers; implementing a new program

4. One way that my thinking has changed over the course of my career so far is . ..
Steve Brock: I see much more the need to "connect" with students.

Greg Barfield: Students bring all kinds of "good and bad baggage" with them to school each. They can't learn until we help them put the baggage away.

Elena Farkas: it does not matter form what country you had come from, kids are kids, and you are the one who has to find that special key to open their hearts.

Rosanne Zeppieri: Our job as teachers is to cause learning. The learner comes first, then the content.

5. The primary reason I wanted to attend this institute was . ..
Steve Brock: Several of my district level peers I admire asked me to do so.

Greg Barfield: To learn from others and to network and share experiences.

Elena Farkas: To meet new colleagues, to share ideas and learn from people"s experiences.

Rosanne Zeppieri: I am facing the challenge of a program review and possible changes to our world languages program. I hope to gain expertise in leading teachers through the process and in advocating for the best program model for our community.

6. One of the ways that I think this institute will challenge me is . ..
Steve Brock: To learn what others are thinking...

Greg Barfield: To learn what has been successful in other districts so that I can bring ideas back to my district to implement change.

Elena Farkas: To find the way to connect with other people

Rosanne Zeppieri: To collaborate with professionals around the country and, as a result, broaden my perspectives...

7. One of my biggest pet peeves in working with others is . ..
Steve Brock: That they work slow and need time to process.

Greg Barfield: When they only think of themselves and not what is best for students.

Elena Farkas: To balance two cultures (Russian and American.)

Rosanne Zeppieri: when individuals are unwilling to listen and consider different points of view.

8. One thing that I hate to do when it comes to collaborating with others is . ..
Steve Brock: Sharing the workload on group projects.

Greg Barfield: Doing extra work if some in the group do not do their work.

Elena Farkas: Actially, I enjoy working with other when all of us share similar moral and educational believes. If not, then we will find a compromise.

Roseanne Zeppieri: I agree with Elena. I like working with others. Collaboration broadens my perspectives and helps me grow as a learners and as an educator.

9. One thing that you should know about working with me is . ..
Steve Brock: I work well with deadlines.

Greg Barfield: I complete tasks.

Elena Farkas: If things have to be done I will do my best to make it happen.

Rosanne Zeppieri: I need time to process.

10. I hope that you will be patient with . ..
Steve Brock: My different manias for the summer: I'm leaving for China in a couple of weeks and I've also begun to write a book.

Greg Barfield: I have been gone a lot this summer before this institute and that is why I have been late with my postings.

Elena Farkas: I am still learning the American culture. Please bear with me.

Rosanne Zeppieri:

11. When it comes to technology, I am not comfortable . ..
Steve Brock: Installing a new harddrive.

Greg Barfield: Many thing! Just when I think I'm fairly computer literate, new things come along, and I know I still have much to learn.

Elena Farkas: I am "self taught computer specialist", if something is unfamiliar to me, it would make me uncomfortable at first, but later I will master it.

Rosanne Zeppieri: Although I use technology daily and appreciate its power, I need to see and try out new applications. I also have trouble installing hardware and software. I have very limited experience with web posting. I hope I am successful in completing the information on this page.

12. What I would like to learn about technology is . ..
Steve Brock: How improve my language karaoke skills in the classroom...

Greg Barfield: Different applications to assist teachers in instruction.

Elena Farkas: How to make it availble for my primary students in a way to increase their literacy in Russian.

Rosanne Zeppieri: current applications such as podcasting, blogs, etc.