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.
Jennifer Nesfield
2nd Vice President
District Chairperson for World Languages and ENL, Northport-East Northport UFSD
Jennifer Nesfield graduated from Bethany College with a B.A. in French, earned an M.A. in French Language and Literature from Middlebury College, and received her Professional Diploma in School Leadership and Administration from LIU. Prior to coming to Northport in July 2008, she served as a LOTE Chairperson in the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD. Ms. Nesfield has taught all levels of French during the course of her career. Over the past 22 years she has offered numerous professional development workshops for local, state, and regional organizations.
Her professional memberships include NYSAFLT, AATF, LILT, ASCD, NECTFL, and ACTFL.
Judy Goris Moroff
Treasurer
Director of Bilingual Programs and World Languages, Huntington UFSD
Judy Goris Moroff is a Director of Bilingual Programs and World Languages in Huntington UFSD. Ms. Goris-Moroff has years of experience in Multilingual Education, including her service as an EL teacher, bilingual classroom teacher, Spanish teacher, and Bilingual Specialist at the LI-RBERN. In her current role in Huntington, Ms. Goris-Moroff serves and promotes the academic success of all language learners through professional development that builds teachers’ instructional and pedagogical content knowledge. Ms. Goris-Moroff is deeply passionate about equity and advocacy for multilingual learners and fights for access and inclusive opportunities for children and families.
Laurie Marshall-Lauria
Board Liaison Officer
Coordinator of World Languages, ENL and Student Activities, Manhasset Public Schools
Laurie Marshall-Lauria graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in Spanish, earned an M.A. in Peninsular Spanish Literature from New York University and an M.S. degree from the College of New Rochelle in School Administration and Supervision. She has spent over twenty five years teaching Spanish and supervising teachers in Westchester, Rockland and Nassau Counties. Over these years, she has presented on a variety of topics at professional conferences and workshops and currently serves as a member of the World Language Standards Review Committee for Long Island. Ms. Marshall-Lauria was a member of the FLACS Executive Board as the First Vice President in 2014-2015, and again in 2016-2017, primarily in charge of the FLACS exams. She is a member of NYSAWLA, AATSP, ACTFL and ASCD.
Tara Tassani
Board Liaison Officer
Director of World Languages and ENL, East Williston School District
Tara Tassani has been teaching World Languages on Long Island for 24 years and has experience teaching all levels preK-adult in both French and Spanish. She is passionate about advocacy and in researching best practices in World Language education. She has presented at numerous conferences on these topics. Tara currently serves on the New York State World Language standards revision committee. She served as the New York state representative for NNELL and as a board member for NYSAFLT. She is the founder and facilitator of the NYC-LI FLES Collegial Circle and is a member of many professional organizations such as AATSP, AATF, ACTFL, LILT, NNELL, and NYSAFLT. Tara is currently a candidate in the St. John’s doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
Denise Hannaoui
Executive Director
Director of Field Experience and Clinical Supervision (TESOL), 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 Supervision for TESOL student teachers.