Grants & Awards

Chapter Small Grant 

Do you have some great ideas to enhance your French program, but lack the financial resources to implement them? Apply for a Small Grant.

Projects must relate to the purpose oft he Association: to promote French studies and benefit other members or students. The recipient agrees to share the project with members through an article in Francofeuilles and/or a presentation at a Chapter meeting. 

The deadline to apply is February 15 of each year. Please note that you must apply for a Chapter grant to be eligible for a gran from AATF National. 

Apply HERE

Prix d'excellence

Up to three awards may be given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the teaching of French (pre-school, elementary, secondary, post-secondary or adult education are all eligible).

Candidates must have been a member of AATF for two consecutive years and be a member in good standing of the Chicago & Northern Illinois Chapter at the time they apply or are nominated. Candidates must have at least two years of teaching experience. Current Executive Council members and previous winners of the award are not eligible. 

Nominations for the Prix d'excellence are due on March 1 of each year. Submit nominations/applications HERE.

PAST RECIPIENTS
1983 Monique Whiting, Martha Shreiner / 1984 James Berger / 1985 Roland Dubosq, Rita Wenzlow
1986 Mary Ellen Young, Gerald Plotkin, Kathy Heilenman / 1987 Marie-Rose Gerdisch
1988 Nancy Clark, Donna Czarnecki, Paul Kreiss / 1989 Virginia Gramer, Bonnie Caldwell, Rosalee Gentile
1990 Mary Frances Crabtree, Peter Conroy / 1991 Alan Wax, PIerre Simonian, Michèle Gragg
 1992 Safia F. Haddad, Cathy Kendrigan / 1993 Jo Ellen Sandburg, Mary Lauerman, Wahneta Mulllin
 1994 Susan W. Norevich, Dorette Klein / 1995 Janet Evans / 1996 Not Awarded
 1997 Lorri Stark-King, Willian D. Paden / 1998 Margot M. Steinhart, Mary Ellen McGoey
 1999 Terry Meyers, Marie-Simone Pavlovich / 2000 Maureen Breen, Dr. Raymond Tourville
 2001 Barbara Kane, Dan Doak / 2002 Anne Hebert / 2003 Maria Kurt, Mary Lou Jenks
2004 Leah Bolek, John Tomme / 2005 Liette Brisebois, Janine Pefley / 2006 Robin Wolf
 2007 Jane Castle, Samantha Godden-Chmielowicz, Pat Olderr / 2008 Karen Provan, Maria Schoon
 2009 Leo Conry, Lorin Pritikin, Janine Spencer / 2010 Carolyn Dunoon, Reid Lewis, Mary Rooks
 2011 Eileen Walvoord / 2012 Lynn Robinson / 2013 Elise Helland, Bobbie Kieffer
2014 John Miles, Laura Schmuck / 2015 Pam Cabeen, Gigi Olmstead
 2016 Kristina Beck, Yvonne Fawell, Gloria Maliszewski / 2017 Ted Haldeman, Phyllis Perkins
2018 Brenda Crosby / 2019 Suzanne Giacotto, Savannah Smith / 2020 Robin Jacobi
 2021 Jeanne Engelkemeir / 2023 Gina Del Fiacco, Erin Gibbons
2024 Martha Behlow, Fanny Clonch, Andi Isabelli / 2025 Not Awarded

Illinois French Teacher of the Year

Do you know a French teacher who is innovative in their classroom, focused on proficiency-based instruction, actively promotes extracurricular French language learning and is a service to our profession? That colleague could be nominated for the AATF Illinois French Teacher of the Year. 

Eligible candidates are Illinois French teachers at any level, teach French half-time or greater and is an AATF member in good standing (current dues and active at the chapter and/or national level). 

Candidates must be nominated and will be asked to complete an application process. Nominations can be made by anyone via electronic form. Nominations are due by September 1 every year and application materials are due by September 30. The award is presented at the annual ICTFL conference. 

PAST RECIPIENTS

  2025 Amy Phillips / 2024 Andrea Isabelli and Lisa Shamrock