Join us October 25th - 27th at Palmer High School for this year's conference with special guest keynote ACTFL Teacher of the Year, Yo Azama.
Looking for a place to rest your head in Palmer?
Check out these local partners and let them know you're with AFLA for a non-profit discount:
-
Pioneer Motel - $27 discount
Keynote Address: Joy, Curiosity, and Humankind-ness
​
While technology has improved certain aspects of our modern lives, many of us feel more disconnected, distracted, and uncertain than ever before. What does it mean to be a learner and teacher in this rapidly changing world? This keynote addresses the unique human abilities teachers bring to create a learning environment that promotes joy, curiosity, and human-kindness.
Meet the Keynote
Yo Azama is a learner, educator, presenter, workshop facilitator, author, musician, and husband. He currently serves as the Lead Instructional Coach at Salinas Union High School District, where he designs and facilitates professional development for faculty members. Prior to this position, he taught Japanese at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for over 20 years and taught a Teaching Method course at California State University, Monterey Bay for 5 years. His dynamic classroom instruction was featured in the Teaching Foreign Language K-12 library by WGBH Boston and has been widely used during teacher training. He received the prestigious ACTFL Teacher of the Year Award in 2012. Other awards include the Outstanding Teacher of America Award by the Carlston Foundation, the Elgin Heinz Teaching Excellence Award, the Outstanding Teacher Award by the California Language Teachers Association, and more. He has conducted numerous presentations and workshops both nationally and worldwide for World Language teachers.
In addition to serving as a College Board Advisor for Japanese AP, he has been an AP consultant since 2010. He has published numerous learning modules and articles on language learning and teaching-related topics. His recent publications include a content-based Japanese resource and workbook series called "COMPASS Japanese" by Kurosio Publishers.
He believes that language learning involves much more than acquiring skills—it provides opportunities to find "others" in us and us in "others". He enjoys running, traveling, swimming, gardening, and playing music with friends.