AATSP EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) AWARD 

This new award was inspired by the AATSP’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the spirit of our 2021 AATSP Annual Conference that celebrated diversity. The AATSP knows that individual teachers of all levels are doing significant work in DEI across cultures with their students, colleagues, and in their institutions and communities. PreK through university level instructors of Portuguese and/or Spanish are encouraged to self-nominate or allow others to nominate them. The AATSP wants to honor this work.

The award will be presented to a teacher-member who creates inclusive communities both in the classroom and beyond that represent the rich diversity of communities served. DEI work takes many different forms such as (but not limited to) an educator who might be providing professional development to others about inclusive learning environments (e.g., presentations, social media, blogs), designing curriculum to support DEI, or initiatives to advocate for DEI in educational organizations/institutions, on campuses, or in school districts. 

2024 DEI Award Winner

Professor Alejandro Lee is the 2024 recipient of the AATSP Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Dr. Lee teaches Spanish at Santa Monica College, in Santa Monica, CA.

As noted in one of his letters of recommendation, Professor Lee’s tireless advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion has been evident since the very beginning of his career, but it is clearly exemplified by his invaluable contributions to Open Educational Resources (OER). His authored readings on topics such as Spanish in the Philippine Islands, Equatorial Guinea, Perú Negro, the Chinese influence in the chifas in Peru, and the LGBT+ community have significantly enriched the learning experience for students.

Alejandro Lee writes:

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility have been important to me throughout my career, but it is in my current position at a community college that the need is more pronounced. Moreover, my advocacy for these tenets grew stronger when I began teaching heritage speakers of Spanish. At all levels of instruction, heritage language education requires a balance of equitable, yet fair, and inclusive practices in the curriculum.

NOMINATIONS:

Nominations for this award will document nominee-led initiatives that cultivate, promote, and foster a more diverse, equitable, and/or inclusive environment; and will demonstrate the impacts of outcomes from DEI initiatives. Nominations for this award will follow the guidelines below. 

Criteria and Eligibility

• Must be a current AATSP member with at least two (2) years of AATSP membership and teaching experience

Materials submitted:

• Nomination letter: should describe the nominee’s approach to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment and the impact of their efforts 
• Current CV (Curriculum Vitae/Resume)
• Three (3) letters of support (sent under separate cover directly from the person sending the recommendation); one letter must be from an AATSP member
• Personal Statement and optional materials/evidence to support the nomination 
• Winner will be recognized at the AATSP Annual Conference 

Award: $500. 

On January 1, 2024, the AATSP will begin accepting applications for the 2024 Chapter of the Year Award. 

Application Deadline: March 15, 2025

Email Nominations to awards@aatsp.org

The applications will be reviewed by the AATSP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: