MFLA offers a number of awards, recognitions, and scholarships for members and members' students.  All you have to do is apply.  

MFLA Awards at a Glance

Spring Awards for MFLA Members

Maryland Language Teacher of the Year [deadline: April 30, 2026]

The MFLA Language Teacher of the Year Award (TOY) is the first step toward possibly earning the title of ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year.  The MFLA TOY will compete with TOYS from participating states at NECTFL.  Successful candidates must be full-time language educators who spend at least fifty-percent (50%) of their time in direct teaching during the year of application with an expectation of teaching during the next two (2) years. 

• Applications should be submitted via this form

​Dora Kennedy New Teacher Scholarship [deadline: April 30, 2026]

The purpose of this $750 award is to support MFLA members who are new to the teaching of world languages and interested in participating in a professional learning opportunity to improve their ability to implement current best practices in the classroom. ​

• Applications should be submitted via this form

For students of MFLA members

Visual Arts Contest  [deadline: April 30, 2026]​​

This contest engages the students of MFLA members in interpreting the theme for the fall conference through the visual arts in two categories: 2-dimensional representations on paper and digital representations.  Winning entries for each category across at all levels of instruction - elementary, middle, high, and higher ed - will receive awards of $50 and the overall winner will receive $100.  The sponsoring teacher of the overall winner will receive a free one-year membership renewal. ​

• Applications should be submitted via this form

Ann Beusch Scholarship  [will be available Spring 2027] 

MFLA has established this scholarship to offer financial support in the amount of $750 to a high school senior or current college student who intends to pursue a career in world language education.  

Winter Awards for MFLA Members

Kim Shinozaki Award (new!) [deadline: January 30, 2026]

This award recognizes a Language Leader (e.g., administrator, coordinator, supervisor, or teacher leader) who actively supports language study. Any MFLA member in good standing can nominate a leader. The award's funding must be used for professional learning in leadership or to support innovative language programs and will be disbursed upon completion of the development

• Applications should be submitted via this form

​Celeste Carr Study Abroad Scholarship [deadline: January 30, 2026]

This $1,000 award provides a study abroad scholarship to a world language educator in Maryland.  Priority will be given to individuals who have not had a previous study abroad experience.

• Applications should be submitted via this form

Fall Awards for MFLA Members

A & R Productions Scholarship [more info coming next fall!]

This scholarship provides free registration to the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL) to one world language/dual language educator. 

​NECTFL MEAD Innovation Fellowship  [more info coming next fall!]

The Mead Program supports individuals in the development of a project that contributes to the world language teaching profession and advances quality language instruction.  Each scholarship recipient will be assigned a mentor with expertise in the area of that person’s project, and NECTFL will facilitate virtual and, if possible, face-to-face meetings of the two.