Desa Dawson is the Chair of the World Languages Department at Del City High School in the Mid-Del School District in Oklahoma where she has taught Spanish at all levels since 1974. She received a BA in Spanish and an MA in Latin American Studies at the University of Oklahoma . She is currently working on her dissertation for a PhD in Teaching and Curriculum Leadership at Oklahoma State University . A passionate advocate for education reform in general, and languages in particular, she lobbies legislators on a regular basis. Desa served as President of OFLTA when HB1017, the landmark education reform bill in Oklahoma , became law in 1990. Thanks to that measure, many school districts throughout the state implemented elementary programs, and languages became part of the core curriculum. Immediately afterwards, Desa worked with Dr. Nadine Olson to design a three-year program funded by NEH ($336,000) to train 25 teachers to begin elementary programs throughout the state. More recently, Desa orchestrated Oklahoma 's YOL activities and was recognized on the House floor when Oklahoma legislators declared 2005 as the Year of Languages and offered their congratulations to her as the SWCOLT Teacher of the Year.

Keynote Address

"A Little Piece of Heaven"
Teachers impact more lives than most individuals who are employed in other pursuits. Almost everyone can name that one teacher who was responsible for his/her success, change in attitude, selection of career, or conversion to a new perspective. We truly touch the future through our students' lives. Language teachers are extraordinarily adept at capturing our students' hearts and souls. We will explore this link with our students much like Mitch Albom does in his amazing book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven.