Celebrating Language Teaching, Language Partnerships

As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognizes the National Language Teacher of the Year.

As part of Teacher Appreciation Week early in May, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Noah Geisel as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' National Language Teacher of the Year. Geisel (right), a Spanish teacher at East High School in Denver, said his enthusiasm for teaching Spanish “comes from my love of language and culture, and belief that language learning and understanding of cultures are essential to my students’ futures.”

The United States is committed to expanding language capabilities among its students. Duncan and the U.S. Department of Education share Geisel’s belief in the importance of foreign languages and global competencies for the future of American students and as a key part of a world-class education, said Clay Pell, head of the Education Department’s Office of International and Foreign Language Education, in a May 20 blog post.

Pell quoted Duncan, who has said, “To prosper economically and to improve relations with other countries, Americans need to read, speak and understand other languages.”

“This is something that I have seen personally,” Pell said.

“In the months ahead,” he continued, “we look forward to working with foreign language teachers like Mr. Geisel across the country as we continue our Fulbright-Hays and Higher Education Title VI programs and encourage new partnerships between institutions of higher education and neighboring schools and communities.”