Patrick Wallace

Educator Spotlight

Meet Patrick—a retired high school German teacher from Georgia, currently working with Klett World Languages. Patrick also serves on the LCF Advisory Committee.

“At its core, teaching a language is a radical act of hope.
You are saying, with every lesson, ‘You belong here. Your voice matters. And the world is worth exploring.’”

The Start of a Teaching Journey:

Honestly, I just fell in love with language and was captured by the idea of traveling and learning more about the world! I chose German when I got to high school for a couple of reasons:

  1. It was required: If I wanted to pursue a college prep diploma, I needed two years of language.
  2. My older brother had taken German and he really liked the teacher.

I ended up taking four years of high school German with my teacher, Mrs. Blount. I was also somehow inspired with the idea of being an educator. I remember joining a club at our school called future educators of Dekalb County, a clear indication that I was already heading in that direction.

Career Highlight:

Looking back on 24 years of teaching in the classroom at all levels from kindergarten to college, I have a lot of memories that will stay with me—from teaching K-5 in elementary schools in Walker County to high schools in both Spalding and Fayette Counties in Georgia, as well as teaching online with Georgia Virtual School.

At the elementary levels, I mostly enjoyed the excitement and curiosity that students brought with them to class. Singing with young kids and teaching them another language was an impactful beginning. High school and the multiple exchange trips and school partnerships I helped organize were also extremely rewarding, and I know they were impactful experiences for my students.

On Being an ACTFL Member:

Being a part of ACTFL means being a part of a greater extended family of educators from all across the U.S. and beyond who, like you, are working passionately to bring the joy and beauty of language learning to their students.

Being an ACTFL member gives world language educators access to high-quality professional development, exclusive teaching resources, and a supportive community of peers. Members can join Special Interest Groups, attend discounted workshops and conferences, and tap into job listings, mentorship, and advocacy tools. It’s a dynamic way to grow professionally, stay inspired, and help shape the future of language education.

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Using Languages Outside the Classroom:

Learning another language has been one of the most transformative journeys of my life. It has deepened my understanding of my own identity while illuminating the diverse, beautiful ways that others experience the world. Through language, I’ve gained not just words, but windows—into art, music, literature, science, travel, and the shared human spirit that binds us all.

It has introduced me to extraordinary individuals from across the globe, each encounter enriching me intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. Most of all, it has taught me that every language is a bridge—and crossing it changes you forever.

Advice for Next-Gen Teachers:

You’re not just teaching a language; you’re unlocking lives. Every word, every connection, every spark of cultural understanding you bring into your classroom can ripple outward in ways you may never see—but they matter.

Don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on being present: as a guide, a champion, and a bridge-builder. Celebrate every attempt your students make, because in language learning, courage matters more than correctness.

Lean into your curiosity. Stay open to learning alongside your students. Find your people—those who believe in the power of empathy, identity, and intercultural exploration through language. And when in doubt, return to your “why.” Because the world needs more voices like yours shaping future global citizens.

Favorite Word or Phrase in Another Language:

One of the quotes that has stayed with me the longest comes from Wolf Biermann: “Nur wer sich ändert, bleibt sich treu.” Only those who change remain true to themselves.

At first glance, it may seem contradictory. But to me, it speaks to the quiet courage required to evolve—not as an act of losing oneself, but as a commitment to growth, honesty, and authenticity. True selfhood isn’t static; it’s a living, breathing journey of transformation.

That quote reminds me not to become too comfortable or fixed in my thinking. It challenges me to examine my habits, my assumptions, and even my values—not to discard them, but to renew them with intention.

We walk this path together. And as long as we’re open to each other—with hearts willing to evolve and minds open to change—we stay true not just to who we are, but to who we are becoming.

On Teaching a Language:

Teaching a language means lighting the spark of understanding in a world too often divided by difference. It’s equipping learners with the tools not only to speak and listen, but to connect—to appreciate perspectives beyond their own, to ask better questions, and to build bridges across communities, borders, and generations.

It means honoring students’ identities while guiding them toward new ways of seeing and expressing themselves. It’s helping them to decode not just grammar, but nuance, humor, and cultural meaning. You’re not just instructing learners—you’re shaping globally minded citizens who can navigate the complexities of our interconnected world with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

Get inspired by even more Educator Spotlight profiles in our growing archive of member testimonials! Then explore all the resources available via ACTFL membership.

Know an amazing ACTFL member whose teaching journey we should feature next? We invite you to share our Educator Spotlight submission form with them.

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