The Coccia-Inserra Award honors a teacher of Italian at the K-12 level, and is generously donated by Coccia Foundation in the name and memory of its founder, Cav. Joseph Coccia, Jr., and by Mr. Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. Founded in 1994 by Joseph and Elda Coccia, and now under the leadership of President Elisa Coccia, Coccia Foundation aggressively pursues the preservation and promotion of Italian culture, in conjunction with its 'academic arm,' the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America at Montclair State University. Mr. Inserra also contributes significantly to the rich field of Italian American Studies, having instituted in 2011 the Theresa and Lawrence R. Inserra Endowed Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies, also housed at Montclair State University.

We are pleased to announce that our very generous donors have increased substantially the monetary component of the award for academic year 2013. The recipient of the Coccia-Inserra Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Teaching of Italian (K-12) will receive $3000 for his/her school, to be used exclusively to advance the Italian language and culture curriculum and programming within the recipient's classroom.

Eligibility
The award is open to teachers who currently are:
Members in good standing of either:
- AATI (American Association of Teachers of Italian) or
- ITANJ (Italian Teachers Association of New Jersey)
Full-time K-12 classroom teachers of Italian (nationwide)

Selection Process
A Blue Ribbon Panel of experts has been established to oversee the process and select the award recipient.
- Dr. Anthony Julian Tamburri, Professor and Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute at - Queens College (New York, New York) [Panel Chair]
- Dr. Andrea Baldi, Professor of Italian; Graduate Director of the Department of Italian at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey).
- Dott. Carlo Davoli, Dirigente Scolastico, Consulate General of Italy in New York (New York, New York)
- Dr. Roberto Dolci, Associate Professor of Linguistics, Università per Stranieri di Perugia (Perugia, Italy)
- Dr. Clorinda Donato, George Graziadio Chair in Italian Studies,California State University at Long Beach
Criteria
The Blue Ribbon Panel will evaluate participants on the following criteria:
a. Planning and Preparation
The teacher's effectiveness as demonstrated in sample lesson plans that conform to the standards of the Department of Education or other such entity in the state in which the applicant teachers and address the three modes of communication. These plans should evidence:
goals and activities that inspire and engage students in their own learning;
use of technology and 21st-century skills to enhance the students' learning experience;
assessment that reflects current practice.
b. Involvement Outside the School
The teacher's leadership as demonstrated in ACTIVE involvement with professional organizations and the promotion of the Italian language and culture (e.g., presentations, workshops, administrative duties, public relations work) that have benefited the Italian program and its students;
Creating opportunities for community and/or parent participation in the Italian program (e.g., film night, festival), where parents and other community members are invited.
c. Instructional Innovations
- Evidence of effective instruction practice via supervisor and/or principal's classroom
observation report;
- Student comments/letters/etc.;
- Teacher's self-evaluation and reflections;
- Active participation in Professional Development events, in the capacity of either attendee or presenter, facilitator, workshop leader, etc.;
- Teachers must submit a video-recorded lesson or part thereof that is between 15 and 20 minutes in length. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and privacy setting must be set to Private. The link will be sent to one (1) email address to be viewed by the panelists only
The panel of judges will affirm, in writing, that the video will not be shared with or distributed to anyone beyond the panel for the award. Permission forms must be sent home, if the School or the Board does not already have in place a policy about students appearing in promotional materials.
IMPORTANT DATES
Application Deadline: Friday, June 28, 2013
Award Presentation: Friday, October 18, 2013 at the professional development symposium:
Teaching Italian: A Symposium / Workshop for Instructional Materials.

Fonte: BAIA