David Balsamo
President
Coordinator of World Languages, Syosset Central School District
David Balsamo is World Language Coordinator in Syosset Central School District on Long Island where he leads a K-12 department of about 50 teachers. Recent accomplishments in this role include implementing integrated performance assessment in middle and high school courses, adding Chinese and Korean as grade 6-12 articulated languages, adoption of AAPPL testing in grades 8, 10 & 12 in all languages, and the development of a new curriculum aligned with the revised NYS World Language Learning Standards. In Syosset currently the middle school program features five languages, while the high school program boasts nine language offerings. A former Spanish teacher, Dr. Balsamo is a graduate of Hofstra University (BA cum laude), Saint Louis University Madrid Campus (MA in Spanish) and St. John’s University (Ed. D). His doctoral research centered on ways school administrators foster world language teacher quality.
David’s previous leadership in our field includes serving as Secretary on the executive board of FLACS (2006-2012). His presentations at state and local conferences promote professional development in language teaching methodology, assessment, and curriculum development. Additionally David serves as a member of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy Task Force. At his core David believes in the power world language teachers have to not only increase learners’ communicative skills, but also to instill in our next generation the intercultural understanding and empathy necessary to bring peace, dignity, and social justice to communities near and far.
Vincenza Graham
1st Vice President
Director of World Languages, English as a New Language, and Library Media Specialist for the Smithtown Central School District
Vincenza Graham currently serves as the Director of World Languages, English as a New Language, and Library Media Specialist for the Smithtown Central School District. She graduated from Long Island University/C.W. Post with a B.A. in Italian, earned an M.A. in Spanish Education and the Advanced Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from Queens College. She has spent over fifteen years teaching Italian and Spanish and has supervised teachers for over 11 years. She was a member of the FLACS Executive Board as the Asst to the First Vice President in 2016-17 and helped manage all communication with individual districts regarding FLACS membership and the consortium. Ms. Vincenza Graham is a member of FLACS, LILT, ACTFL and ASCD.
Leonardo Rivera
2nd Vice President
Director, K-12 World Language and ENL, Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District
Leo Rivera graduated from Queens College with a BA in Italian, Spanish, and Secondary Education and Youth Service, and an MA in Italian. He earned his Post-Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook, SUNY. He currently leads a department of 38 teachers spanning five languages and a growing body of ENL students. He serves his learning community by building trust and empathy with all stakeholders and providing the members of his department with quality professional development workshops throughout the year. Prior to his position at Plainview-Old Bethpage, Leo spent 13 years teaching all levels of Italian and Spanish at Baldwin Senior High School. His professional memberships include AATI, AATSP, AATF, CLASS, and ACTFL.
Denise Hannaoui
Executive Director
Director of TESOL Field Experience and Clinical Practice, Stony Brook University
Denise Hannaoui graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a BA in Linguistics and an MA in TESOL. She also holds an MS in Instructional Technology from New York Institute of Technology. Denise has been in the field of education for 25 years, first as an ESL teacher in Lawrence Public Schools and then as an administrator as her interest in “the bigger picture” emerged. She has over 10 years of experience as a Director of English as a Second/New Language and World Languages and has recently retired from Connetquot Central School District. Denise is currently beginning a new career with Stony Brook University as their Director of Field Experience and Clinical Practice for TESOL student teachers.