Alabama World Language Association
and to advocate for improved world language education for all students at all levels.
AWLA Awards & Recognition
Each year, AWLA recognizes exceptional educators and leaders who exhibit an unwavering commitment to the advocacy, teaching, and learning of world languages. Please consider nominating a deserving colleague. Awards are open to all educators and leaders in K-12 and Post-Secondary unless otherwise indicated in the award description.
Nominations for the 2026 AWLA Awards has closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of our award winners!
Scroll to the bottom to view our new AWLA Recognitions.
These new recognitions remain open for nomination/application.
AWLA Teachers Excellence & Teacher of the Year AWLA is excited to recognize more deserving world language educators in Alabama! A Teacher of Excellence for each language represented in AWLA will be selected. Nominees should exemplify excellence in world language education, evidence of promotion of world language teaching and learning, and professional involvement in the AWLA (Nominee must be an active member of AWLA). From this group of winners, one (1) AWLA Teacher of the Year will be nominated to represent Alabama for the SCOLT Teacher of the Year award. This award is to honor a world language educator in their early career who demonstrates exceptional developing abilities in the classroom. This category is open to individuals with less than three (3) years of service as a certified world language teacher. Individuals currently serving as a teaching assistant, part-time teacher or as a substitute may also be considered, but service time in these types of positions will not count in calculating one’s total service time. Nominees for this award must demonstrate potential for excellence in world language teaching and evidence of promotion of world languages. Membership and active participation in AWLA is encouraged, but not required. This award recognizes educators representing each language in AWLA at the post-secondary level including the community college, college and university levels. Nominees for this award should exemplify excellence in language teaching, leadership and advocacy at the local, state, regional or national level. From this group of winners, one (1) AWLA Educator of Excellence will be nominated to represent Alabama for the SCOLT Educator of Excellence (Post-Secondary) Award. Click HERE to nominate! This award is to honor world language educators (Post-Secondary) in their early careers who show exceptional developing abilities. This category is open to individuals with less than three (3) years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level including the community college, college and university levels. Nominees for this award must demonstrate potential for excellence in world language teaching and evidence of advocacy in the promotion, development, and retention of world languages programs. Membership and active participation in AWLA is encouraged, but not required. Click HERE to nominate! | Nominees for this award should be a school administrator, staff member, individual, or organization whose leadership has strengthened the status of world languages in his/her local school/system, who has worked at improving the quality of world language teaching, and/or who is an advocate of world language study. This recognition is intended not for language educators but for those outside of our profession who exhibit exemplary support of world language study and teaching. Marlin Harris Lifetime Achievement Award
Special Recognitions “Best of Alabama” Presentation First Time Conference Presenter Stipend First Time Attendee Stipend |
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Just like an accent mark, a great teacher makes all the difference! The Accent Mark Awards are a special recognition for world language educators across the state of Alabama who make a meaningful impact both inside and outside the classroom - even in the smallest of ways! These shout-outs celebrate teachers who go the extra mile—leading, mentoring, innovating, and inspiring their students and colleagues. The AMAs are our way of saying:“We see you, and we appreciate you!” AWLA members may nominate their colleagues based on merit and contributions that the nominee has made since the 2025 AWLA Conference (February 2025). Click HERE to nominate! An Accent Mark Award may be received more than once on a yearly basis. An educator with 5 “AMAs” will be inducted into the AWLA Fame! AWLA Fame members may still be recognized with an AMA. *********************** Award Categories Á - Innovation in Curriculum Design & Assessment È - Student Engagement Í - Creative Classroom Practices & Use of Technology Ô - Cultural Connections & Taking Learning Beyond the Classroom Ü - Mentorship & Leadership Ç - Advocacy for Language Learning Ñ - Passion & Enthusiasm for Lifelong Learning Š - Dedication to the Profession |
Where World Language Legacies Live On The Emeriti Club honors retired world language educators in the state of Alabama whose dedication, passion, and vision have left a lasting legacy in the field. This recognition celebrates teachers who devoted their careers to inspiring cultural curiosity, fostering global connections, and empowering students to communicate across borders. Induction into the Emeriti Club is both a tribute to a lifetime of service and an invitation to remain connected to the profession as mentors, advocates, and treasured members of the language education community. Benefits of the Emeriti Club include:
Eligibility for the Emeriti Club requires:
Click HERE to join! |
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