Mission
GWATFL is a non-profit organization focused on professional development and advocacy for World Language teachers in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland and beyond since 1965. GWATFL is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for educators and students.
GWATFL is a non-profit organization focused on professional development and advocacy for World Language teachers in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland and beyond since 1965. GWATFL is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for educators and students.
SPRING WORKSHOP on April 26th!!!
Save the Date!
HAPPENINGS...
SPRING WORKSHOP SERIES 2025
Take your learning further with our interactive workshop series, designed for those who want more depth, more engagement, and more hands-on practice.
Featuring the most popular speakers from our Fall Conference, these sessions go beyond their original presentations, offering new content, deeper exploration, and practical applications you can use right away.
Join us for this unique opportunity to engage, reflect, and take your practice to the next level!
More Than a Lesson Plan: The Emotional Journey of Being a Teacher
An article by Sonia Alcocer
Teaching goes far beyond lesson plans and curriculum—it’s a deeply emotional journey filled with challenges, connections, and moments of growth. In this insightful article, Sonia Alcocer shares the joys and struggles that come with being an educator. Through heartfelt reflections, she sheds light on the resilience and dedication required to inspire and support students every day. This piece is a tribute to the profound impact teachers have on their classrooms and communities.
GWATFL BOARD ELECTIONS
Meet the newly elected GWATFL Board Members! 🎉 Dedicated to supporting world language educators, our board brings fresh perspectives, expertise, and a shared passion for language education and advocacy. Learn more about their vision and commitment to fostering a thriving language-learning community.
GWATFL 2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR: FREDDY TORRES
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🌟 Congratulations to our GWATFL 2025 Teacher of the Year! 🌟
We are thrilled to announce that Freddy Torres has been honored as the GWATFL Teacher of the Year for World Languages! With a passion for languages and a dedication to fostering cultural understanding, Freddy has made an outstanding impact on students, colleagues, and the world language community. As an advocate for multilingual education and a leader in the classroom, he inspires students to embrace diversity, build empathy, and broaden their global perspectives. Freddy's commitment to excellence in teaching, continuous professional growth, and contribution to our GWATFL community truly sets him apart. Please join us in celebrating Freddy’s accomplishments and commitment to world language education! 🎉 |
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Freddy J. Torres is a distinguished educator currently serving in the DC area as a Spanish teacher and World Language District Course Chair for DC Public Schools (DCPS). In partnership with Transcend, Freddy champions and facilitates the Whole Child Model on both local and national levels. From 2017 to 2023, he led the Specials team at Van Ness Elementary School, bringing a collaborative vision to the school community. With a career spanning the DMV area since 2013, Freddy’s excellence was recognized in 2022 when he received the DCPS World Language Teacher of the Year award.
Freddy is deeply committed to educational innovation and teamwork, bringing a goal-oriented approach to his work. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he has extensive experience teaching in both national and international settings. Over his 22-year teaching career, Freddy has skillfully provided simultaneous translations of educational materials, including instruction manuals, research papers, legal documents, and websites.
Before moving to Washington, D.C., Freddy served as an EFL professor at Universidad de las Americas (UDLA) and led the EFL Department at Alexander Wandemberg School. He holds a BA in ESL from Universidad de los Hemisferios and an MS in Multidisciplinary Studies from Buffalo State University. Freddy resides in the DC metro area with his wife and two children, continuing his dedication to excellence in language education.
Freddy is deeply committed to educational innovation and teamwork, bringing a goal-oriented approach to his work. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he has extensive experience teaching in both national and international settings. Over his 22-year teaching career, Freddy has skillfully provided simultaneous translations of educational materials, including instruction manuals, research papers, legal documents, and websites.
Before moving to Washington, D.C., Freddy served as an EFL professor at Universidad de las Americas (UDLA) and led the EFL Department at Alexander Wandemberg School. He holds a BA in ESL from Universidad de los Hemisferios and an MS in Multidisciplinary Studies from Buffalo State University. Freddy resides in the DC metro area with his wife and two children, continuing his dedication to excellence in language education.
Grow with GWATFL!
Your passions, talents, and time can help make a difference!
Volunteer, join our leadership program, GWATFL MAP [Member Action Program], or become part of the GWATFL board to help build and grow an amazing community of world language professionals.
Volunteer, join our leadership program, GWATFL MAP [Member Action Program], or become part of the GWATFL board to help build and grow an amazing community of world language professionals.
GWATFL IS A PROUD MEMBER OF JNCL-NCLIS
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