Leo Benardo Award

Innovation in K-12 Language Education

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ACTFL Leo Benardo Award for Innovation in K-12 Language Education

Leo Benardo
Leo Benardo

The Leo Benardo Award for Innovation in K-12 Language Education was established in 2014 through a vote of the ACTFL Board of Directors after a proposal was submitted and generously endowed by Stella Economou, a former student of Leo’s.

The award honors the many accomplishments of ACTFL’s second President, Leo Benardo. Leo’s long list of contributions to the field includes serving as Director of Foreign Languages for New York City Schools from 1966 to 1987. During those 20 years, he was responsible for introducing FLES programs in the schools, constructing and evaluating New York State Regents Examinations, and establishing the City University of New York Council on Foreign Languages to develop articulation between high schools and colleges.

In addition, he used the medium of television to demonstrate methods of teaching languages, instituted the recruitment of teachers from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Spain, and collaborated with the United Nations to bring attention to the importance of language education.

Leo also was recognized for his accomplishments with numerous awards including the Chevalier des Palmes Academiques by the government of France, Medal of Appreciation from New York City Mayor Abraham Beame, the Nelson Brooks Award from the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Chicago Board of Education.

This award is established in Leo Benardo’s honor to recognize significant contributions that reflect innovative instructional practice and programs by individuals who teach or supervise in urban, suburban or rural districts that teach a majority of underserved students. The recipient of this award receives a $500 cash award and a plaque.

Procedures for Nomination

  1. Nominations and self-nominations may be made only by ACTFL members.
  2. The nomination dossier must include the following documents (in order):
    1. A simple cover letter introducing the nominee and other dossier materials to follow, signed by a nominating ACTFL member.
    2. Program narrative that addresses the award criteria from program teachers and administrators (not to exceed 10 pages).
    3. No more than three letters of support clearly explaining the rationale for the choice of this nominee (from colleagues, parents, students, or others who have benefited from the nominee’s teaching and/or supervision).
    4. Other supporting documentation not to exceed 10 pages (e.g., photos, artifacts, articles, etc.) that documents the nominee’s innovative instructional practice and program (see rubric for specific criteria and indicators).
  3. Complete nomination dossiers must be submitted to ACTFL in one PDF file by the deadline.
  4. No member or officer of the ACTFL Board of Directors may write a letter of support for any award nominee or actively shepherd the nomination of an award candidate.
  5. No member or officer of the ACTFL Board of Directors, or contracted employee is eligible for nomination for any award while holding these positions.

Criteria for Eligibility (Checklist)

  • Dossier includes introductory cover letter, program narrative, maximum of three letters of support, and supporting documentation combined in one PDF file.

Procedures for the Selection Committee

  1. Dossier includes introductory cover letter, program narrative, maximum of three letters of support, and supporting documentation combined in one PDF file.
  2. The award selection committee will be chaired by a member of ACTFL, who will be appointed by the ACTFL Past President. The chair will serve in a non-voting capacity.
  3. As soon as possible after the deadline for submission of nominations, the Committee Chair will circulate copies of the nomination dossiers to members of the committee.
  4. Committee members rate and rank the dossiers using the rubric and return their ratings and rankings to the Committee Chair by the date specified.
  5. At the discretion of the Committee, the award may or may not be presented during a given year.
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Leo Benardo Award Rubric

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