Celebrating our fearless MAP leader: Vicky Masson!

When I met Vicky Masson, she instilled a passion for professional development and professional learning communities that invited us, the GWATFL “rookies“ to expand on these initiatives.

As a teacher, blogger of the Language Teaching Lab and presenter, Vicky Masson has the wise experience we all seek.

“Being part of PLCs opens doors to new avenues for growth, learning, and development. It usually moves us out of our comfort zone and gives us, at times, unexpected instances of leading, both in small and in big projects.”

GWATFL is the PLC she has been the longest with and we are privileged to have her paving the way for us MAPs. Thank you Vicky for all you do!

Follow the Language Teaching Lab blog here.

Becoming a MAP for GWATFL is an important step for me, mainly because GWATFL has been instrumental in my professional development. Through my engagement with GWATFL, I've had the privilege of interacting with educators who have exposed me to diverse teaching styles, activities, and perspectives that I might not have encountered otherwise. As someone aspiring to leadership, I've grappled with the challenge of honing leadership skills independently due to limited formal training.

Conversations with peers have underscored the presence of numerous emerging leaders within our school communities who could greatly benefit from resources and a supportive network to navigate the complexities of school leadership. As a Latin teacher, I often reflect on the phrase "facta non verba" or "deeds not words." It reminds me that when we identify a need, it's imperative to take action and work towards addressing it. I think that stepping into roles like a MAP allows us to translate our aspirations into tangible initiatives that positively impact our communities.

I joined the Member Action Program (MAP) because I strongly believe in fostering collaboration, support, and encouragement among world languages teachers. I

recognize the immense value in working together to share resources, strategies, and experiences, ultimately enhancing our ability to serve our students and communities more effectively. By participating in MAP, I am dedicated to contributing to a supportive network where educators can exchange ideas, provide assistance, and inspire one another to continually improve our teaching

practices. Together, we can make a profound impact on the education of our students and promote cultural understanding in our increasingly interconnected

world.

My motto:

Explorar nuevos idiomas y culturas enriquece nuestra vida y nos conecta con el mundo de una manera única.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, I developed a love for literature and languages from my early days at school. As years went by, my interest in language learning, culture and the education world grew stronger. I wanted to replicate the wonderful experience I had for others.

After teaching and earning my Master degree in my native Argentina, I moved to the United States and was able to continue with my career in the DMV area. I first heard of MAP at the GWATFL 2023 Fall Conference. I was interested in joining their team to help the organization thrive. The opportunity to contribute to the GWATFL Gazette became possible and I embraced it. I have met wonderful people through collaboration and events. Belonging to GWATFL allows you to keep in touch with a wider network, stay on the loop with innovations and current topics and keep growing for our students. I hope to bring our knowledge and experience closer to our wider community and invite other fellow colleagues to join our mission.

Favorite expression: Quilombo (slang for mess / chaos)