AATSP-NJ 2025 Chapter of the Year
President's Message
We are hoping that you are still feeling the inspiration from our unforgettable experience at the 2025 AATSP Annual Conference in Panamá.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your enthusiastic support, meaningful contributions, and unwavering commitment to our New Jersey Chapter. Your presence, whether through attending sessions or presenting workshops, made a powerful impact—our sessions were among the most well-attended and widely praised!
Thanks to your collective efforts, our chapter was honored as Chapter of the Year—a testament to the dedication, excellence, and vibrant spirit that define our community.
We also celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of several of our members who were recognized during the awards ceremony:
Maria Dessipris (Glen Ridge High School) — 2025 AATSP Teacher of the Year, Elementary Level (PreK – 8)
Yomaira Tarifa (River Dell High School) — AATSP Conference Stipend Winner, sponsored by Lingo
Marbel Tamayo (Eastside High School) — AATSP Program Support Award
SHA Chapter “Todos Iluminados”, led by Maria Dessipris — SHA Activity of the Year
SHA Chapter Los Halcones Dorados, led by Miriam Gargulio (River Dell High School) — SHA Chapter of the Year
Chapter Esther Forero, led by Marbel Tamayo — SHH Activity of the Year, 3rd Place
These recognitions reflect the remarkable work being done across our state—from inspiring classroom practices to innovative student engagement through Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Sociedad Honoraria de Amistad and the outstanding participation in the National Spanish Exams and in the Poster Contests. The networking, collaboration, and exchange of ideas with such outstanding professionals at the conference were truly energizing.
Celebración Primaveral 2025
Celebración Primaveral 2025
Join us for the Celebracion Primaveral AATSP-NJ event at Antik Greek Kitchen! Enjoy a day filled with delightful cuisine, lively music, dancing, and great company. This in-person celebration is a wonderful chance to connect with the community, share achievements, and create unforgettable memories.
Early bird Non-Members $45
Early bird Members $ 40
Sale ends April 15th, 2025
Regular Registration Non-members $50
Regular Registration Members $45
After April 16th, 2025
Feb 26, 2025
Jornada de Formación para Profesores de Español
Experience an exceptional program featuring international experts, accredited training, scholarship raffles, and classroom gifts. This initiative aims to offer innovative Spanish teaching tools, cultivate meaningful student relationships, and celebrate excellence in Spanish education. An outstanding professional opportunity showcasing best practices!
Ganadores de las Becas
Gracias a Edinumen y la Universidad de Salamanca
Felicidades a los ganadores de la beca otorgada por Edinumen y la Universidad de Salamanca a participar en la
¡Semana práctica Español Excelente en Salamanca 2025!
Yalira Castañeda - Grant Intermediate School, Trenton, NJ
Blanca Roman - Randolph High School, Randolph, NJ
Sybil Sanchez - Randolph High School, Randolph, NJ
El encuentro tiene como objetivo el aprendizaje, la interacción cultural y el intercambio de experiencias profesionales entre docentes de español. Y todo ello, en la histórica ciudad de Salamanca, una de las ciudades más bellas y culturales de España.
Esta experiencia tendrá lugar este verano del 6 al 12 de julio de 2025.
La Semana Práctica incluye todos los gastos, excepto el vuelo: alojamiento, comida, formación, seguro…
¡En hora buena!
AATSP Exams - NSE Informative Session
Jan 18, 2025
Our NSE Director, Claudia Kechkian will host a presentation on AATSP Exams/NSE followed by a Q&A session on Saturday, January 18, at 11:00 AM ET, hosted by the AATSP New Jersey Chapter.
On this occasion, we will also host some giveaways for teachers and students, generously provided by Cursos Internacionales, Universidad de Salamanca.
This is an online session, and it is open to AATSP members and non-members nationwide, so you are than welcome to share this event among your chapter members. As a reminder, NSE regular registration deadline is February 7. YOU CANNOT MISS IT
Here is the link to pre-register for this upcoming session on Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 AM ET.
AATSP Exams - NSE Informative Session
To all our members and colleagues:
It was a pleasure having you today during the AATSP Exams - NSE Informative Session. We are thankful that we were able to have our AATSP Exams Director, Claudia Kechkian with us today sharing vast information about NSE. Please do not hesitate to contact her if there are any further questions or concerns to her email ckechkian@aatsp.org
Winners!!!
Winners!!!
- We cordially thank Cursos Internacionales de la Universidad de Salamanca for today's giveaways. Congratulations to today's winners!
Curso para estudiantes
- Jennifer Jue Mattle
- Monica Doubal
- Maria Rondon
- Melanie Rey
- Brent McCorvey
- Edwin Saray
- Alexandra Santiago
- Erika Mitchell
Social Event Jan 10, 2025
Cuencos Completos - Full Bowls
The AATSP-NJ chapter board and members gathered on Jan. 10th, 2025 for a fun social event at Doin' Dishes, Montclair.
The "Cuencos Completos-Full Bowls" activity came to be thanks to the generous support of Xperitas and its Language Matters Award.
Participants painted colorful bowls, enjoyed light refreshments, participated in a raffle and shared the latest language and culture opportunities available for teachers and students alike in our area and beyond.
Cuencos Completos - Doin' Dishes
Coffee Meet Saturday, March 23, 2024
NJAATSP Coffee Meet
Let's meet up and talk about SHH, SHA, NSE, scholarship opportunities for students and teachers, and much more.
We will raffle a scholarship for a week (30 hours) in the month of July in Santander, Segovia or Avila sponsored by the Ministry of Education of Spain.
The candidates should be SLA or World Language Spanish teachers (K-12), Dual/Bilingual teachers in Spanish (K-12) or Spanish Studies college students or graduates in this field.
2024 Coffee Meet
Thank you very much for attending our first Social Coffee Meet. It was a rainy day among great colleagues.
We had the visit of Michael Wieting from Andalucia Trade who shared with us some of the school programs available for teachers and students..
Raffle Winner - Summer Course in Spain
Raffle Winner - Summer Course in Spain
Congratulations to our colleague Blanca Roman from Randolph High School who won the raffle of a week of Profesional Development in Spain!
Thanks to the Ministry of Education of Spain for this great opportunity for our members.
Site Content
Social Café
You are all cordially invited to join us to our Social Cafe on Saturday 3/23.
We can't wait to see you. Stay tuned for more information.
Chapter's Meeting
Back to School 2025
We have joined the effort with Casa Spanglish in partnership with Latinos of Montclair and they will be presenting a Creative Lab for Educators.
Join us as we revamp and leave ready to implement. Let’s get ready while gathering ideas and materials for Hispanic Heritage Month, National Teach Spanish Week and ideas for Albricias submissions.
This session will explore how to create meaningful classroom and school-wide experiences that foster connection and celebration across all subject areas.