Francesco Fratto
President
Director of World Languages, Language Immersion & English as a New Language/ESL
Herricks UFSD
Francesco L. Fratto was a Spanish teacher with over thirteen years of teaching experience at the middle school, high school and college level. In 1993, Mr. Fratto graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Spanish 7-12. He earned a MA in Spanish Language and Culture from Boston College; at the university, he was a teaching fellow and was a recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award. In 2008, he earned a MA in Educational Leadership and Technology from Adelphi University. In 2008 he entered school district administration. He serves as the K-12 Director of World Languages, Spanish Language Immersion and English as a New Language for the Herricks Public Schools. Mr. Fratto has overseen the expansion of the Spanish immersion (dual language) program from the elementary level to the secondary. The immersion program is currently the only K-12 fully articulated immersion program in a NYS public school. Over the years, Mr. Fratto has been very active in the profession. He served ACTFL, NECTFL, and PWRFL in various capacities. He is a past-president of NYSAFLT. He is currently the president of NYSAWLA. He has organized and presented at numerous conferences, invited speaker, textbook reviewer, published articles, but advocacy for language instruction is what motivates him in everything he does. His other passion is mentoring new administrators of world language and ENL programs. He also worked closely with the NYSED on the Seal of Biliteracy and the Revised NYS World Language Standards.
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.
Denise Hannaoui
Secretary/Treasurer
Director of ENL and World Languages, Connetquot Central School District
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 7 years’ experience as a Director of English as a Second/New Language and World Languages and is currently the Director of ENL/World Languages at Connetquot Central School District.
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
World Language Department Chairperson, Cold Spring Harbor Central 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.