Norah Jones
Fluency Consulting, LLC
JNCL Position:
President Elect (Executive Committee Member)
STATEMENT
JNCL-NCLIS is the voice to this country speaking for the essential role of language education and opportunity in the lives of all people within our borders. JNCL is unique in its 40+ year role in distilling and sharing the Why, What, How, and Value of language and culture education and experience to legislators at one end of the spectrum and the community of the classroom at the other. At this tremendously challenging time in our nation’s history, the voice of JNCL is more needed than ever, and the message must be honed on the edge of new realities. I have been engaged in advocacy all along the education continuum myself for 50 years, from classroom to the halls of Congress. My consulting company, Fluency, has for 30 years focused on language education and advocacy – indeed, its tagline is Find Your Voice. My commitment is to everyone – student, parent, educator, leader, legislator – finding their voice to speak about the essence of and essential need for language in the lives of individuals, communities, and nations. My podcast, It’s About Language, is overtly an advocacy tool. I consider this hour in our nation’s history to be a convergence of my life’s work and that of JNCL. It would be an honor to be trusted to bring my whole best work to serve advocates and the nation as president-elect of JNCL-NCLIS.
BIO
Language is the key to human identity, competence, and hope. My Croatian linguistic and cultural heritage has guided me to my life work of studying and teaching about language and languages. My certification as a Gallup CliftonStrengths coach and my M.Ed. in Secondary English have provided me with a personalized and language-based approach to teacher training and student-centered curriculum. I’ve been honored to teach language courses (world and ESOL) K-16 and to provide supervision and mentoring for language educators; to develop written and digital language education materials; to establish and manage language publishing teams and consultants; to assist company owners and managers in developing their instructional visions and language-centered curricula; to coach teams and individuals on their unique strengths; to provide workshops, presentations, and keynotes nationwide; to serve as a language advocate first for my home state and currently nationally with JNCL-NCLIS; and to create and host a podcast, It’s About Language, to bring encouragement and hope through the spoken word.
Employment
Principal/Owner, Fluency Consulting LLC, Independent Educational Consulting 1996 – present
Creator and Host: It’s About Language podcast
Professional Development Director, Vista Higher Learning 2005-2020
National Classics & ESL Specialist, Cambridge University Press 2000-2005
National Trainer, Heinle & Heinle Publishers 1994-1997
Teacher (Spanish, French, ESL, Russian) and World Language Supervisor, 1976-1994 and
Campbell County Public Schools (VA) 1997-2003
Professional Activities & Awards
Joint National Council on Languages – National Council on Languages and
International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS): Board Member; Chair: Business Council 2021-present
Northeast Conference on Language Teaching (NECTFL) Advisory Council 2020-present
Certified Gallup (Clifton) Strengths Coach 2017-present
National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Language (NADSFL) 2005-present
Member; Leadership Trainer on World Language Assessment
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) 1986-present
Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) 1984-present
President 2008-09; Founder’s Award2014
Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) 1980-present
President 1999-2001, 2009-11; Distinguished Service Award 2013
Virginia Department of Education: Trainer in World Language Standards
Selected Publications
Content for world language programs (text and digital):
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Lingco: Lessons and Integrated Performance Assessments for Spanish and French programs
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Edinumen Editores USA: Senior Editorial Consultant for Higher Education; Consulting Editor,
Identidades 1, 2, 3 -
Vista Higher Learning: Podcast Host, The Language Imperative 2022-2023; Teacher activities, instructional design (all programs); customer-facing videos; guides to standards, assessment,
instruction (TE, all programs); media-based content: En pantalla authentic Spanish video feature
(Descubre 1, 2); Zapping authentic French video feature (D’accord 3) -
Pearson: “Pronunciation” feature (Realidades 2)
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Hispanix: “Contextos” introductory higher education Spanish chapter-opening activity sequences
(all chapters) (Vistas) -
Heinle & Heinle: Video Activity Books (¡Ya verás! Gold levels 1, 2); Lesson Plans, Pacing Guide
(Abriendo paso: Lectura) -
Global Citizenship Workshop (multimedia presentation, student work text, and teacher guide), ACIS
(American Council on International Studies)
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Education & Certification
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M.Ed. Secondary Education, Lynchburg College (VA)
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B.A. Modern European Studies, College of William & Mary (VA)
Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa -
Virginia Professional Educator Certification, with endorsements in English, English as a Second
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Language, Spanish, French, Russian, and History
Professional Statement
Language is the key to human identity, competence, and hope. My Croatian linguistic and cultural
heritage led me to my life work of studying, teaching, and teaching about language and languages. I’ve
been honored to educate youth and provide supervision and mentoring for educators; develop written
and digital educational materials; establish and manage publishing divisions; consult for language
education company owners and CEOs to develop visions and systems; coach teams and individuals;
provide workshops, presentations, and keynotes; and create and host a podcast, It’s About Language.