Prominent AATSP Member Wins ACTFL Leadership Award

ACTFL Wilga Rivers Award for Leadership in
Foreign Language Education (Postsecondary)

Peter B. Swanson, Professor of Foreign Language Education (United States Air Force Academy) began his career as a teacher of Spanish at Worland High School (WY). Throughout, he has maintained "his passion for reach," as one referee wrote. Jury members concurred, concluding, "His service and publications epitomize the award honoring the memory of Wilga Rivers" and demonstrate "decades of professional leadership."

The support letters speak of Pete as "dedicated," "energetic," collegial, and possessing "integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm." Foremost among these traits is his passion for the future of our field- the first leitmotiv of two that characterize his work. Clearly, Pete has not stopped "thinking about tomorrow." Indeed, few have written so insightfully about teacher education- and how we get "there." His hopes for our profession are embedded in his "exceptionally strong publication record," workshops, and professional development programs. 

Text taken from the ACTFL 2019 Awards Ceremony Program