ASU’s Sara Lee named 2024 language teacher of the year

This year, the Southwest Conference on Language Teaching (SWCOLT) has recognized ASU’s Sara Lee as the 2024 Language Teacher of the Year.

Joining “Arizona Horizon” to discuss this achievement was Sara Lee, German Professor at the ASU School of International Letters and Cultures.

The Southwest Conference on Language Teaching is a regional world language teachers’ organization. Lee will represent the Southwest as a contender for the National Teacher of the Year Award on Nov. 20, at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

“In world language learning we’re focusing on communication,” Lee said. “We’re focusing on getting the word across…it’s not about learning again how to read and write.”

Lee is a certified K – 12 teacher and dyslexia therapist. Her research area is language learning and disabilities, how one can learn a second language when they have a learning disability, especially dyslexia.

“…it is a different way of learning,” Lee said. “…so when you’re neuro-diverse, or you have a learning disability, it’s going to affect your learning differently.”

Lee spoke about the different initiatives and programs that she likes to implement into her teaching.

“There are a lot of ways, easy ways, that have a major impact on how to help students,” Lee said.

As a German native, Lee received her first master’s degree in teaching in Germany before getting her second master’s degree. She then followed that by getting her second language acquisition in the U.S.

At the time, her mother was working at a dyslexia institute in Germany and suggested Lee do her master’s thesis on the learning disorder. Following the completion of the thesis, Lee was offered a job at the institute and worked as a dyslexia therapist in Germany.

Lee is a strong advocate for neurodiverse learners of world languages. Her current research is developing an error analysis and learning program for dyslexic learners of German.

As a German Educational Multiplier, she travels nationally and internationally to give workshops and presentations on how World Language educators can support their neurodiverse learners.