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¡Happy New Year, Feliz Año Nuevo, y Feliz Ano Novo a todos! My name is Megan Reynolds and it is my pleasure to introduce myself as Chapter President of the Kansas Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese for the year 2020. Before I get into chapter related news, I’d like to share a bit about myself since you’ll be hearing from me quite a bit in the coming months!

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I was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, attending both Topeka Collegiate School (2003) and later Topeka High School (2007). I graduated with two B.A. degrees from Kansas State University, one in Theatre (2012) and one in Modern Languages, Spanish (2014), after which I accepted the open K-12 Spanish Teacher position at Flint Hills Christian School in Manhattan, KS. As of May 2020, I will have taught for six years.

I continue to build the program with a proficiency-based mindset, incorporating theatre, technology, music, project learning, activities such as the National Spanish Exams and Locura De Marzo, and awards such as the Global Seal of Biliteracy given to students with qualifying STAMP scores each Spring. I am ecstatic to have our school’s first section of AP Spanish Language and Culture as of the 2019-2020 school year.

As is common of a “Department of One” or small schools in general, I wear many hats. I am very “tech-savvy” and thus assist in school IT needs as well as teach 6th Grade Computer Applications. I serve as Technical Director for school events and programs, serving as a light and sound engineer for our “gymatorium”, lead a student tech team, and have been doing some video production as well. I also coach forensics events students take to contest in March. When I’m not at school (ha!) you’ll find me at home with my dog, Diego, performing, or serving on Worship/Tech team at University Christian Church.

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Well, that’s enough about me! But I provide the context because I believe my unique background will help me serve our chapter. I have experience both in public and private schools, large and small environments, and hope to leverage those experiences to serve students and teachers of all backgrounds this year.

To that end, here is my vision for KATSP in 2020 along with exciting news and updates that are the first steps in achieving these goals.

https://katsp.org/about/katsp-2020-vision/

I am so excited to start the year, and the decade, as President of our chapter, and I look forward to meeting all of you as we begin the spring semester!

¡Adelante, KATSP!

Megan Reynolds
KATSP President 2020
president@katsp.org