The West Virginia Foreign Language Teachers Association presented the Language Collegiate Teacher of the Year award to Eric Del Chrol, director of classics at Marshall University.

The committee looks for an accomplished educator who is a leader, volunteer and contributor to the profession to win the award.

Jenny Santilli, representative of WVFLTA said Chrol is active within the organization.

“He is proactive for the promotion of world language studies in our organization and especially for his students and the classics program at MU,” Santilli said. “Del is a role model for both novice and veteran teachers and professors.”

Teachers submit materials and a letter of recommendation to be reviewed.

Nominees must be members of the WVFLA, and they must have an executive board office and a non-voting position. They must also attend, present and volunteer at WVFLTA’s annual conference.

Chrol received a plaque and other gifts in recognition of the prestigious honor.

“I’m really happy for the recognition,” Chrol said. “Foreign language is important to all of our futures. It’s really nice to be a part of such a great organization.”

Chrol said he primarily teaches Latin and believes this helped him stand out against other nominees.

“Our members appreciate his dedication to the teaching of classical languages and keeping them alive, despite the public’s misperception that Latin is a ‘dead’ language,” Santilli said.

Language Collegiate Teacher of the Year is annually chosen at a K-12 and higher education level.

Hannah Harman can be contacted at [email protected].