Harrison High School teacher Amanda Beck says she went into teaching to help students fall in love with the German language and culture. That passion is part of the reason she was named one of five finalists as a ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) National Language Teacher of the Year finalist.

Beck has been teaching German for 17 years and has a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and a master’s from Wesleyan University.

Beck represents the Central States Region in the program which recognizes excellence in classroom language teaching. The evaluation process that began at the state level includes the submission of a portfolio with video clips from her classroom, letters from colleagues and students, examples of student work and a list of professional accomplishments.

“I’ve had a chance to reflect on my time as an educator through crafting my portfolio,” says Beck. “It has been neat to connect with people who have shaped me into who I am today and find out how I played a role in their stories.”

The Teacher of the Year will be announced during the national ACTFL Conference in November in Philadelphia. Beck is eager to meet the other finalists: “We’ve been chatting all summer and it is going to be fun to share the experience with them. They are an amazing, inspiring bunch who are highly accomplished and have done remarkable things for students.”