The World Languages Teacher Education (WLTE) program is proud to celebrate four students and graduates recognized at this year’s Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ICTFL) Fall conference for their outstanding contributions to world language education.
Two WLTE alumnae, Ellie Chiganos ('24) and Kaysee Williams ('24), as well as two current students, Ava Abbott ('26) and Allene Hari ('26), were recognized on October 9th at the ICTFL Fall Conference in Naperville, IL.
Ellie Chiganos, recipient of the ICTFL New Teacher of a World Language Award, is a 2024 graduate of the Spanish BAT/WLTE program and currently teaches Spanish at Wheaton North High School.
Ellie was recognized for her inclusive, inquiry-driven approach to language teaching that empowers students to engage meaningfully with Spanish and the world around them. She blends authentic communication, cultural exploration, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies to support diverse learners and foster real-world language use.
“The WLTE program was the beginning of my journey as a Spanish teacher,” Ellie shares. “It provided me with all of the foundational tools that I need to be a successful language teacher. Through theory and practice, I was able to build and strengthen my understanding of comprehensible input and communicative language teaching, which I now use in daily instruction.”
Ellie's dedication to student-centered, communicative teaching continues to reflect the values of the WLTE program.
Kaysee Williams, recipient of the ICTFL Award for New Teachers of Foreign Languages, graduated from the WLTE program in 2024 with a BAT in Spanish and now teaches Spanish at Champaign Central High School.
Kaysee was recognized for her student-centered approach to language teaching that connects Spanish to students’ lives, identities, and interests. Through her leadership she fosters global citizenship, authentic communication, and transformative learning experiences, such as starting a study abroad program at her school.
Kaysee reflected that “the WLTE program was instrumental in launching my career as a world language teacher,”. She added “I am grateful for my placement during my student teaching, which is now the school I teach at. It has enabled me to build strong relationships with outstanding educators and learn from their experiences.”
Kaysee’s commitment to her students and her ability to bring culture to life in the classroom reflect the values of the WLTE program and the power of strong mentorship in preparing future educators.
Ava Abbott, recipient of the ICTFL Award for College World Language Teaching Majors, is currently enrolled in the Spanish BAT and is pursuing licensure through the WLTE program. Ava was recognized for creating engaging, culturally rich lessons that inspire students to explore language and culture in meaningful ways. She encourages learners to connect personally with Spanish, using it to build understanding across cultures and reflect on their place in a diverse world. Ava hopes to bring the same excitement she experienced as a learner into her future classroom, helping students see that language learning can be both rewarding and life-changing.
Allene Hari, also honored with the ICTFL Award for College World Language Teaching Majors, is enrolled in the German BAT program and is pursuing licensure through the WLTE program. Allene was recognized for fostering student agency, authentic communication, and cultural understanding. She prepares learners to see language not just as an academic subject, but as a bridge to connect with others and explore the world around them.
“The WLTE program has helped me recognize the best parts of my language learning process and inspired me to foster that in my future classroom,” Allene shares. “It has connected me with professionals, leaders, and stakeholders in the field to help expand the resources and networks that I will rely on in the future. Through the program I feel prepared to begin my journey in fostering a more diverse and inclusive language community for future students.”
These four award recipients represent the strength and impact of the WLTE program’s mission: to prepare language educators who inspire communication, cultural understanding, and global citizenship. The program congratulates Ava Abbott, Allene Hari, Ellie Chiganos, and Kaysee Williams on their remarkable achievements and contributions to world language education as such an early stage in their careers.