By Tiera Carlock

(Nov. 2, 2015) — Laura Roché Youngworth, University of Kentucky alumna, was named the 2015 Kentucky World Language Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA). The KWLA's Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes an achieving individual in the language teaching profession who engages students to learn inside and outside of the classroom, meets the goals of the National Standards for Foreign Language Learners, and advocates for his or her community.

In addition, Stayc Dubravac, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures, received the 2015 Post-Secondary KWLA Award. The Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher Award recognizes an individual of the world language teaching profession who has demonstrated long-term achievement and service to the profession at the post-secondary level.

Dubravac is also director of UK Masters in Teaching World Languages program, which prepares the highest quality language educators for Kentucky and beyond. In 2012, he published "Technology in the L2 Curriculum," which targets current and future language instructors who desire to refine their skills in the use of digital tools for language teaching and learning, guiding them to effective computer-assisted language learning practices.  

Youngworth received her bachelor's degree in French, English, and Secondary Education, a MATWL (Master of Teaching World Languages) in French and her master’s degree and Rank I in Curriculum and Instruction. She is in her sixth year of teaching French language at Beaumont Middle School, after teaching at Scott High School in Kenton County and Anderson County High School. Youngworth is president of the Kentucky chapter of the American Asssocation of Teachers of French.

"Dr. Youngworth has a passion for French language and culture which, through hard work, she has effectively combined with her knowledge and skills as a professional educator. The combination has made her an exceptional teacher and has benefitted the students of Kentucky tremendously," said Nels Jeff Rogers, associate professor of German studies in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MCL). "The faculty in French and MCL are proud of Dr. Youngworth's accomplishments. We have no doubt that in the years to come she will continue to be an educational leader in the state and nationally."

Youngworth will represent KWLA in the Regional Teacher of the Year award pool at SCOLT (Southern Conference on Language Teaching) scheduled for February in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her achievement as KWLA Teacher of the Year places her in the running for the Regional Teacher of the Year honor at SCOLT. 

The KWLA is a "network of individuals" dedicated to educating and learning a wide variety of world languages and cultures. In addition to the Outstanding Teacher Award, the KWLA also has awards for Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher, Outstanding Administrator, Lifetime Achievement and Amici Linguarum, meaning "friend of languages."