MONROE — Karen Luond Fowdy, former Monroe High School and Monroe Middle School German teacher, represented the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers at the annual Language Advocacy Day in Washington DC, Feb. 14 and 15, sponsored by the Joint National Committee for Languages.

Over 160 world language advocates-educators PreK-20, researchers, analysts, translators, interpreters, business owners and representatives of leading language associations from over 42 states met with representatives of Congress and the executive branch for increased support for language programs and activities across all areas of the federal government. 

Fowdy spoke with representatives in the offices of U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, and 2nd Assembly District Rep. Mark Pocan. 

The second day of the conference was one of the largest language policy summits of its kind in Washington, with multiple speakers representing all sectors of the industry. The topic centered on “The Future of America’s Languages,” based on the top five recommendations from “America’s Languages: Investing in Languages for the 21st Century,” the report of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ bipartisan Commission on Language Learning.

Fowdy is the WAFLT Public Relations chair, a member of the state’s International Education Advisory Council and currently serves as co-chair of the Writing Team for the revision of the Wisconsin Academic Standards for World Languages. 

With her colleague, Lisa Hendrickson, she serves as a consultant for school districts on the topics of world language curriculum development and instruction.