Education professor named Foreign Language Teacher of the Year

Scott Kissau, an associate professor of foreign language education in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, was named Foreign Language Teacher of the Year in higher education by the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina.

“Dr. Kissau distinguished himself from the other candidates by immersing himself in the education of languages and cultures and by demonstrating his in-depth involvement with growing and supporting world language teachers,” said Foreign Language Association of North Carolina (FLANC) Awards Chair Delynda Ramirez-Carter.

Kissau, who also directs the M.A.T program in foreign language education, has received the College of Education’s Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Research awards. Students consistently compliment his classroom demeanor.

“Dr. Kissau does a wonderful job of engaging us, encouraging everyone to speak. He also uses a lot of fun but purposeful activities,” one student noted.

College of Education Associate Dean Melba Spooner stated, “I have observed him teach, and from that first-hand experience, I confirm what students constantly say: that he is passionate, organized and well-planned. He asks great questions and challenges his colleagues and students to do the same.”

Upon his arrival at UNC Charlotte a decade ago, Kissau said he wasn’t sure the teaching strategies he’d used with younger students in Canada would translate. Today, he believes effective teaching strategies transcend age groups.

“Students of all ages benefit from having teachers who model the skill, who engage their students, who are well-prepared, who teach meaningful content, who are responsive to their students’ individual needs and who are supportive.”

As a researcher, Kissau has published more than 20 articles in scholarly journals and presented his research at national and international conferences. Investigative topics include improving international teacher candidates’ transition to foreign language classrooms and how best to motivate students to pursue a career teaching a foreign language.

“I have been fortunate while at UNC Charlotte to have the freedom to investigate the topics that are meaningful and relevant to both me and my students. I believe that the research I have conducted has helped to improve my teaching and the foreign language education programs I direct,” Kissau said.

He has lead 17 workshops at annual FLANC conferences, and his sessions have been among the top 10 highest evaluated three times, according to Ramirez-Carter. She added that Kissau “exemplifies” the organizations goal of encouraging children to start learning a language early and provide a clear and carefully developed curriculum throughout school.

Shoring up the culmination of the college curriculum is on Kissau’s mind as the new school year begins. Foreign language teacher candidates are required to complete a clinical experience in a K-12 classroom — Kissau stated it’s important that these students are placed in classrooms that reflect what they’re learning in in their program.

“There are some truly exceptional K-12 foreign language programs in this area that are pioneers in using best practices in foreign language education,” said Kissau. “I would like to develop strong, enduring and mutually beneficial partnerships with these schools so that my students can see best practices in action.”

Founded in 1967, the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina is now one of the largest and most active state language associations in the country. With more than 700 members, FLANC represents the professional interest of educators and administrators from elementary grades through the university level.