Hayes Receives Spanish Teaching Award
Pius X Spanish teacher Katie Hayes has been named Outstanding World Language Teacher by the Nebraska International Languages Association (NILA). Hayes is a 1999 graduate of Pius X and has a Master of Arts in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education.
Hayes will now represent Nebraska at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CSCTFL) to be held in Columbus, Ohio, March 10-12, 2016. She will also compete for the Central State’s Teacher of the Year honors by submitting a portfolio and being interviewed as part of the selection process.
“Katie’s passion and creativity have changed the way Spanish is taught at our school,” commented Principal Tom Korta who wrote a letter of recommendation for Hayes’ nomination. “As a result of her leadership, our language department has produced many top Spanish students at the University of Nebraska.”
As such, UNL doctoral student recently studied the Spanish program at Pius X to determine what the teachers are doing differently from other schools. An important aspect of Pius’ language program focuses on teaching in the native language. Hayes was instrumental in moving the teaching style away from worksheets and rote learning of vocabulary and grammar to teaching in the Spanish language. Today even beginning classes are taught almost entirely in Spanish.
Hayes develops games and special projects to help students learn Spanish. The use of song, dance, and other creative activities engage her students in learning the vocabulary and grammar. “Maestra Hayes always made learning enjoyable,” shared Catherine Berrick ’13 and current student at UNL. Berrick took two classes at Pius X under Hayes which motivated her to include Spanish as part of her double-major. “Maestra’s passion and dedication to teaching and interacting with students is truly inspiring.”
Last year Hayes used her expertise and desire to improve the Spanish program to create and teach Pius’ first Spanish Literature course. Students read the novel Cajas de Cartón, along with folklore and current events. She used Literature Circles to discuss the novel in Spanish, and had students write reaction papers and complete mini-projects which allowed students to demonstrate understanding.
Fellow Pius X teachers, both in and outside of the language department, benefit from her love of teaching. Hayes’ weekly staff e-mails share professional development opportunities and ideas on best teaching and learning practices. She also mentors new faculty in her department and co-chairs the Teaching and Learning pillar as part of Pius’ strategic planning process. Hayes co-presented a workshop at the 2014 Central States Conference entitled “Keeping it in the Target Language.” The day-long training focused on improving the quality of foreign language instruction. Hayes is the co-sponsor of the Spanish Club and leads a summer Spanish book club for students.
“Katie is innovative and creative, and her teaching is rooted in theory,” noted Tracy Chapelle who is also a Pius alumna, teaches Spanish, and serves as Pius’ international languages department chair. “She is continuously using different techniques in her classes to reach all of her students. I especially enjoy collaborating with Katie and find her enthusiasm for teaching and her students to be exciting for myself. She truly has shown an extraordinary passion for teaching and the Spanish language.”
Pius X High School earned recognition as a 2014 School of Excellence by the Catholic Education Honor Roll, ranking it amongst the top five percent of Catholic high schools in the country. Now in its 60th year, Pius X has grown to more than 1,225 students in grades 9-12, and continues to be guided by Pope St. Pius X’s motto, “Restore all things in Christ”. As the central Catholic high school in Lincoln, Pius X’s mission is to enrich the mind, heart and soul of each student through a Christ-centered, Catholic environment that provides academic excellence and preparation to achieve a meaningful, faith-filled life.
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