A Brief History of MaFLA    

             MaFLA was founded in 1967 by a group of Massachusetts foreign language educators originally associated with the New England Foreign Language Teachers Association.  The purpose of the new organization was to advocate for foreign language programming within our state as well as to establish the presence of the discipline before the State Board of Education.
             MaFLA was founded at Boston State College formerly located next to the Museum of Fine Arts.  It held its first meeting at Holy Cross College where some Board meetings are still held to this day.  The organization would provide for an important vehicle for dialogue within the profession about pedagogical and methodological topics at all levels of instruction as well as allow for the recognition of our student achievement through awards.
            Though the actual founders of the Association have not been officially archived, the following names are prominent in the recorded events around the foundation of the organization:  James Powers (the power behind the scenes), Helen Cummings, Helen Agbay, as well as Vincent Cleary.  The first five Presidents of the Association shaped and guided the fledgling organization:  Richard Clark, Benedetto Fabrizzi, Alfred Desautels, Richard Newman and Ray Caefer.  The first four Distinguished Service winners were Stowell Goding, James Powers, Elaine Hardie, and Sr. Margaret Pauline Young.  These individuals also testify to the breath of representation across the State as well as the caliber of the professionals who helped launch our organization.
            MaFLA had an auspicious beginning.  MaFLA's presence before the State Board of Education was accomplished at the outset with the placement of Jim Powers as the State Supervisor for Foreign Languages.  This position has not been permanently filled since his departure in the late 1970's, though MaFLA still maintains active dialog with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
            MaFLA has continued its tradition of strong foreign language advocacy and high quality content professional development. The three-day Annual Conference at the end of October has been a high point for foreign language professionals across the state for over four decades.  Other ongoing professional development opportunities include Diversity Day in May and Immersion Weekend in August. The quarterly MaFLA Newsletter is the official publication of the association.  The newsletter contains regular columns addressing the various language and levels of foreign language instruction as well as teaching materials and resources, conference and award information, including information of state, regional and national interest to the foreign language teaching profession.

MaFLA is grateful for the help of James McCann in writing this brief summary.