Country Day World School

Frances Siracusa11499 131 Street North Largo, Florida 33761T: 727.596.1902 F: 727.596.5479 E: fsiracusa@countrydaylargo.com

Who I Am Creator. Innovator. Communicator. Collaborator. Risk-taker. Life-long learner. Participant. Critical thinker. Initiator. Director. Organizer. Producer. Avid reader. Adaptor. Social butterfly. Half-Spaniard/Half-American. TEACHER.

My passion is the Spanish language and culture, and my interest is technology; I persistently pursue new ways to utilize technology to enhance my students’ ability to acquire Spanish language skills. Ever since I was lucky enough to have an LCD projector mounted in my classroom eight years ago, I have eagerly sought out new programs, websites, interfaces, and ideas to empower my students to use technology as a learning tool. As the research indicates, today’s students are growing up in a “digital age as digital natives.” To be able to work successfully with students and keep their interest focused on academics, it is imperative that I explore and experience new strategies to facilitate students’ proficiency in the Spanish language, while at the same time delighting them in the process.

Responsibilities August 2010

Our competitive world language study program encompasses the national World Language standards known as “The Five Cs:" Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities, as well as the Florida Sunshine Standards, Common Core Standards and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills “World Languages Skills Map.” The World Languages department is distinctive in its setup as the teachers use a blended learning approach. Through the use of technology, new digital tools, and a flexible classroom environment, Spanish and Chinese language students learn at their own pace and ability level. When I teach Spanish, I utilize the Break the Spanish Barrier 1 e-textbook, Realidades 1 and 2 textbooks, the Nuevo Ven 2 textbook (International Baccalaureate Programme) as well as the Duolingo, Notability, and Keynote iPad applications. Thanks to the amazing learner environment, I equip students to attain communicative competence while focusing on the three modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. My students are “creators,” and authentically use language for personalized real world tasks.

May 2012

In accordance with our school’s mission to educate children to become effective communicators and responsible participants in a global society, we facilitate unique experiences for both our students and our teachers. We coordinate global projects, international travel, and sister school and friendship school relationships. By challenging students as young as five-years-old to become functioning participants of projects as well as active citizens of the world, they connect and learn alongside peers across the continents through technology mediums; students are engaged in authentic and creative learning.

August 2010

I am a constructivist educator, and aim to improve student learning through active learning and student-centered approaches. I assist students and teachers with internet and application software (web 2.0 apps and mobile apps). In addition, I conduct professional development workshops and facilitate technology consortiums for educators.

Education May 2012

Teaching, Learning and Facilitating Change with Educational Technology: The K-12/Teacher Education Program at the University of Florida facilitates, studies and disseminates the ways in which innovative technologies and emerging physical, virtual and blended learning environments empower educators and learners and impact society. 

Penn State University. Bachelors of Science in Spanish (business, Japanese) May 1995

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Awards

Professional Affiliations

Presentations

Publications

Grant recipient and student: Language Teacher Summer Institute, hosted by the Center for European Studies at the University of Florida (Florida Department of Education)

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) International Association for Language Learning Technology (IALLT) Florida Foreign Language Association (FFLA) Foreign Language Educators of Northeast Florida (FLENEF)

Siracusa Frances (2013). Apps galore: Top tech tools for innovative educators (personalized learning). Concurrent session presented at the ACTFL/FFLA Conference in Orlando, FL.

Siracusa Frances & Williams Jennifer (2012). Apps galore: Top tools for global collaboration. Concurrent session presented at the FCIS Conference in Orlando, FL.

Gillette Ted, Siracusa Frances & Williams Jennifer (2012). The connected middle school student: Fostering global collaborations through international projects. Concurrent session presented virtually at the Global Education Conference.

Metka Ruth, Siracusa Frances & Williams Jennifer (2012). Apps galore: Top tools for global collaboration (iPad). Concurrent session presented virtually at the Global Education Conference.

Siracusa Frances (2012). “Cross the bridge:” Educational technology professional development segment. Workshop presented at Country Day World School in Largo, FL.

Siracusa Frances & White Kelsey (2013). “Translating with Duolingo for language learning.” The FLT Mag, University of Colorado, Boulder. http://fltmag.com/duolingo / .

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