Each month, MFLA will be highlighting the contributions of our members! 

We'd love to hear from you 

What do you teach? How are you involved in your school? Are you a member in other professional organizations? What's a strategy you can share? https://bit.ly/MFLAspotlight2026 

Mirta Valdés-Bradner is a National Board Certified Teacher and Advanced Placement Spanish Language teacher in Caroline County, Maryland, who is passionate about inspiring students to learn a new language and understand the world beyond their classroom. Born and raised in Puerto Rico in a Cuban family, Mirta grew up experiencing firsthand the ways language, culture, heritage, and identity shape who we are. Her personal connection to both Puerto Rican and Cuban cultures has deeply influenced her commitment to world language education and global learning. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from American University, her Master’s degree from La Salle University, and achieved National Board Certification in 2009. With more than 28 years of experience teaching World Languages in both private and public schools, Mirta is a dedicated advocate for world language education and equitable access to rigorous learning opportunities.

Mirta is a strong supporter of Advanced Placement programs and is one of only 23 State Advocate Leads in the country. In this role, she has advocated for students and educators and worked to pass legislation supportive of the AP Program. She has also served on the Maryland State Department of Education World Language Standards Committee, contributing to the development and review of standards for World Language education across Maryland.

Mirta's dedication to education has earned her numerous honors, including the Medal of Excellence from Governor Hogan in 2021, the Maryland State Education Association Minority Teaching Award in 2022, Caroline County Teacher of the Year for 2022–23, and Maryland Language Educator of the Year for 2023–24 from the Maryland Foreign Language Association. She has also been recognized by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards through an advocacy blog and podcast and was named one of the 50 top trailblazer educators by The Educators Room.

Mirta's commitment to global education has taken her beyond the classroom as well. She was selected as an NEA Global Learning Fellow in 2024, traveling to Costa Rica, and as a 2025 Fund for Teachers Fellow, which provided an opportunity to travel to Panama and connect her professional learning to her passion for global education. In the summer of 2026, she was selected as a White House History Teacher Fellow, further expanding her commitment to connecting history, culture, civic education, and global perspectives with classroom learning. An avid traveler, Mirta believes that experiencing other cultures firsthand deepens a teacher's ability to bring the world into the classroom. She is also passionate about helping other educators discover and pursue fellowships, grants, and professional learning opportunities that can transform their teaching and open doors to experiences they may not have thought possible.

Outside of teaching and advocacy, Mirta enjoys traveling, spending time with her beloved pug, Luna, and being with her family. She is the proud mom of Jordan and Riley and is married to Ben, an English teacher at the same high school where she teaches. Mirta continues to promote the value of world language education, global learning, and the belief that every student deserves access to meaningful, high-quality educational opportunities.

Manel Lacorte is Professor of Spanish Applied Linguistics and Head of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Maryland, College Park. His publications explore pedagogical and sociopolitical issues in the teaching of Spanish as L2 and LH, teacher training and general issues in applied linguistics. Some of his most recent works as author and editor are Multiliteracidades, multimodalidad e interdisciplinariedad en la enseñanza del español (2025), Didáctica del español como 2/L en el siglo XXI (2021),

Introduction to Current Hispanic Linguistics: Theory and Practice (2017), and The Routledge Handbook of Hispanic Applied Linguistics (2014, with a second edition forthcoming in 2026).

Manel has been an OPI Certified Tester since 2007, and ACTFL Certified Workshop Facilitator since 2018. In addition, he worked as an Associate Director for the summer School of Spanish at Middlebury College (Vermont) during 2009-2021, where he taught graduate courses on Spanish teaching methodology.

Recently, Manel has helped launch a new BA program in Public Service Interpreting and Translation in collaboration with the UMD Department of Communication and The Universities at Shady Grove, as well as a new winter study abroad program on Medical Spanish in Panama. Above all, Manel defines himself as a language educator, and for this reason he feels very happy and

honored to be part of the MFLA community, where he serves on the awards and membership committees.

In his personal life, Manel tries to spend as much time as possible with his family in Silver Spring, Barcelona (Spain), and Panama. He loves watching and talking about soccer, and he still plays when he’s in reasonably good shape. Of course, he’s a huge FC Barcelona fan!

Steve Schawalder is in his 18th year at Clear Spring High School in Washington County, where he teaches Spanish I, II, III, IV (dual enrollment) & AP—yes, all of them, because he is the Spanish department. He is certified in Spanish, Business Education, and Multilingual Learners.

Beyond the classroom, Steve serves as Membership Chair and Treasurer-Elect for the Washington County Teachers Association and stays active in WCTA and MSEA leadership, including attending the Representative Assembly in Ocean City. 

At school, he’s part of the Principal’s Cabinet and School Improvement Team. Within MFLA, Steve’s been a board member for five years, serves on the communications team, manages the website, and recently joined the conference planning committee.

Classroom Spotlight

Steve keeps students on their toes by building movement into daily lessons. One activity he uses is running dictation, where students sprint, memorize, and report back-controlled chaos with a purpose. He also leans on classics like 4 Corners and “Find Someone Who” (interview bingo). They’re low-prep, students already know the routine, and they get kids moving and speaking, which is always the goal (and keeps everyone awake).

He also incorporates QSSSA (Question, Signal, Stem, Share, Assess) to structure student responses and increase participation. This routine gives students time to think, supports them with sentence starters, and ensures more voices are heard, not just the quickest volunteers. It’s a simple way to build confidence while keeping all students engaged in the target language.

Personal Interests

Outside of school, Steve enjoys attending school events, hiking around Western Maryland, biking the C&O Canal Towpath, and relaxing with a good book. If it involves being outdoors, he’s probably in.

He’s also organizing a trip for students and community members to Peru and Machu Picchu in summer 2027! If you’d like more information, please visit www.eftours.com/2860553TH or email schawalder.travel@gmail.com