Candidate Information: Phyllis VanBuren
Candidate for: College/University Representative
Candidate Statement:
In order to attain advanced and superior language proficiency required for life in the 21st century, many stakeholders believe in K-16 fully-articulated programs. Unfortunately the discussion between K-12 and university faculty has been limited. My goal is to foster greater communication among stakeholders, especially the teachers.
I taught for ten years in K-12 schools before moving to higher education. My special focus at all levels has been pedagogy. My doctorate is foreign language education and Hispanic linguistics. My career focus is good teaching for good learning. Teaching styles are as important as learning styles.
I bring my skills as a reviewer to AATSP to guide K-16 discussions about motivating our students to pursue articulated and sequenced studies of Portuguese or Spanish--a seamless journey.
A K-16 collaborative approach to learning will be my focus as a member of the AATSP executive council. I am a member of the K-16 community.
Candidate Biography:
Dr. Phyllis E. VanBuren, Professor
Spanish / German / FL Education
St. Cloud State University
Education and Degrees
Doctorate, The Union Institute (now The Union Institute and University), 1992, Hispanic Linguistics and Foreign Language Education
Master of Science, St. Cloud State University, 1976, Curriculum and Instruction, Spanish and German (7-12 and FLES) and Kinder Lernen Deutsch, teacher educator, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, 1997
Bachelor of Science, St. Cloud State University, 1969, Spanish, German, Education (7-12)
Teaching Experience
1975, 1979-present, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
2002-2003, Bethel College (now Bethel University), St. Paul, MN
1994, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José Costa Rica
1970-79, St. Cloud Public Schools, St. Cloud, MN
1969-70, Red Wing Public Schools, Red Wing, MN
Professional memberships
American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
AATSP Media Reviews-Hispania1995-present
AATSP Awards Committee and Chair2000-2005
AATSP Historical Survey Committee1997-1998
AATSP Outstanding Teacher Committee1995-1997
AATSP Conference Presenter1978-present
Minnesota /American Association of the Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (MN/AATSP)
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSC or CSCTFL)
Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures (MCTLC)
President 1999-2003
Regional Representative1992-1999
Conference Presenter1976-present
Minnesota New Visions in Action: Languages for Life (co-founder)
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (Key Women Educators—16 countries)
1st Vice President-Tau State (MN)2009-2011
Research Chair-Tau State2007-2009
President-Eta Chapter (St. Cloud)2006-2008
American Association of the Teachers of German (AATG)
Minnesota / American Association of the Teachers of German (MN/AATG)
National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL)
National Network on Early Language Learning (NNELL)
Phi Delta Kappa (Education)
Phi Kappa Phi (Education)
Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish Honor Society)
Delta Phi Alpha (German Honor Society)
InterFaculty Organization
Educator / Reviewer Experience
ACTFL/NCATE and ETS/Praxis consultant and test development, 2006-2011
FLAP grant reviewer for the US Department of Education, two rounds, June-July 2009
ACTFL/NCATE accreditation reviewer, since November 2004, lead reviewer since spring 2007
ACTFL certified tester in Spanish (Oral Proficiency Interview) 1989-2006
College Board consultant, 1994-present Conducting one-, two- and five-day workshops
Advanced Placement Table Leader—Spanish—1993-present, including the Advance Team to select training samples and refine the scoring rubrics
Advanced Placement Reader-Spanish—1987-1992
Cengage, consultant to rewrite Web exercises and to write new pre- and post-exams for new edition of Interacciones, intermediate Spanish textbook, 2008.
National Board Certification training, Ames, IA, July, 2002 and Las Vegas, NV, August, 2002
Pilot Center (invitation) for Sol y viento, McGraw Hill. Spring, 2005.
Reviewer of foreign language education programs for Children, Families and Learning (CFL) (currently the Department of Education) in Minnesota with state mandated change to semesters
Invited adviser to CFL in selecting committee to determine which Praxis II exam to be used for licensure, as per state statute, October, 2000
Served on the norming committee for the Praxis II (productive skills) committee, Board of Teaching, Minnesota, December, 2000 and October, 2002
Participant in the FIPSE/NEH funded Minnesota Articulation Project 1993-97
Invited professor to provide an intensive semester course in a month at the Universidad de Costa Rica, How to Teach Spanish as a Foreign Language, 1994
Co-chair of North Central Accreditation Team Visit to the Concordia Language Villages, MN, credit program, August, 1993
Invited reviewer in Spanish and/or German for:
EPIC Online Advanced Placement Course Audit – Spanish
EPIC Online Advanced Placement Course Audit – German (pilot)
Hispania, media
McGraw Hill
Prentice Hall
Heinle and Heinle, now Cengage
Holt, Rinehart
Wiley
CSC Report
SCOLT Dimension
Minnesota Department of Education – FLAP Grants
Minnesota Department of Education – FL teacher education programs in MN
Recent Publications
VanBuren, Phyllis E. (2008). Online Pre- and Post-tests for the 6th edition of Interacciones, E. Spinelli, et. al. Cengage, Boston, MA.
VanBuren, Phyllis E. (2008). Revision of the Web-based activities for the 6th edition of Interacciones, E. Spinelli, et. al. Cengage, Boston, MA.
VanBuren, Phyllis E. (2007). Frida Kahlo: Mujer e ícono. In AP Spanish Language 2007-08 Professional Development Workshop Materials. Special Focus: Teaching Writing. College Board, New York, New York.
VanBuren, Phyllis E. St. Cloud Times Writers Group. St. Cloud Times. St. Cloud, MN. (monthly since October 2004) In particular, January, 2005—The Year of Languages; February, April, June, 2005 related to teachers, schools and teaching; February and March 2006 related to cultural differences between the USA and Guatemala, March 2007 invited participation in the legislative process to realize articulated long-sequences of the study of other languages and cultures in MN schools
Hispania more than a dozen media reviews since 1995
Minnesota Language Review more than 50 contributions since 1995
The Minnesota Language Education Update: News, Information, and Resources for Minnesota World Language and ESL Teachers. (electronic newsletter) 8 articles between October 2000 and February 2001
Invited contributor - Barboza, M., Herrera, G, and Urbina, S. (1998) Destrezas. San José, Costa Rica: Universidad de Costa Rica.
Conference Participation
Frequent participant and presenter:
AATSP: Costa Rica, Spain, Florida, California, New York, Massachusetts
ACTFL: Dallas, Atlanta, San Diego, Anaheim, Washington, D.C., Boston, Orlando, Philadelphia, Chicago
CSC: Minneapolis (Program Chair 2003), Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Des Moines, Denver, Little Rock, Chicago, CSC at Sea - cruise
MCTLC (formerly MCTFL) St. Cloud, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Mankato, Brainerd, Marshall
AP/College Board: St. Paul, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Olathe, Wichita, Carleton, Duluth, Cincinnati, Charleston, Chicago, /Superior, Rock Island, Columbus, Iowa City
Delta Kappa Gamma: St. Cloud, Mounds View, Winona, Minneapolis, San Diego, Vancouver, BC, Portland,
One-time participant:
Matanzas, Cuba
Other Professional Activities / Honors
Woman of Achievement, Delta Kappa Gamma, Tau State, April, 2009.
Percy Fearing Award for the creation of world language curriculum. October, 2008. MCTLC
One of twenty-five chosen to participate in World Languages Best Practices Course Study by the Educational Policy Improvement Center in partnership with the center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon on behalf of the Collge Board’s Advanced Placement Program. May 2007.
Emma Birkmaier Award in recognition for outstanding service and support for world languages and culture in Minnesota by someone within the language-teaching profession. October, 2006. MCTLC.
MCTLC Star Award (Study, Travel, Achievement and Recognition) for teachers who exceed expectations within and beyond the classroom. October 2006, 2005, 2004.
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grant (State of Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical College, Park Industries), October 2005-2007. Manufacturing, Engineering and Spanish Language Grant.
CSC Special Projects Grant. Funded by the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 2005. Written on behalf of Minnesota New Visions project.
El Premio Ricardo Narváez, Minnesota AATSP Teacher of the Year Award, October, 2002.
Minnesota Humanities Commission Network Grant. Funded by the Minnesota Humanities Commission. 2000-2001 and 1999-2000.