Free online conference for French educators
Teaching Beyond Borders
Resources and Strategies for Incorporating Francophonie into Your Curriculum
September 26–27, 2026 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern each day | Online | Free
Join French educators from across the country for two days of presentations, practical classroom resources, and new ideas for bringing the Francophone world into your teaching.
Dates
Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026
Location
Online, with access details sent to registered participants
Cost
Free registration for French educators
Conference schedule
September 26–27, 2026 · 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern each day.
All times below are Eastern. Schedule subject to change.
Saturday, September 26
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
People Want to Be Seen: What Francophone Africa Taught Me About Why We Teach Language
Katy Wheelock · Keynote
11:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Vive l’Expérience
Katy Wheelock
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
One School’s Approach to Exploring the Francophone World
Peter Rosborough and Allison Harris
12:15 p.m.–12:20 p.m.
Questions
12:20 p.m.–12:50 p.m.
Lunch
12:50 p.m.–1:20 p.m.
Rapid practical ideas
Carie Hatfield: Teaching Daily Routines Through the UN Sustainable Goals (French II), 5 minutes. Véronique Mbia: young and novice learners, 10 minutes. Questions, 5 minutes.
1:20 p.m.–1:50 p.m.
Teacher networking: Meet, Share and Connect
Meet teachers working with similar levels, exchange classroom needs and resources, and identify shared interests.
1:50 p.m.–2:10 p.m.
Cultural presentations, classroom visits and connection resources
Véronique Mbia, M.A.
2:10 p.m.–2:20 p.m.
Questions and transition
2:20 p.m.–2:50 p.m.
Literary reading and discussion
Ali Akkache
2:50 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Questions, closing and Sunday preview
Sunday, September 27
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Joconde Jeudi
Kerri Nelson
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Four Francophone Worlds
Switzerland, Québec, Cameroon and Madagascar. Presenters: Véronique Mbia, Kevin, Tahiana and Naëlla.
12:30 p.m.–12:40 p.m.
Break
12:40 p.m.–1:10 p.m.
Reimagining Elementary French and Digital Credentials: A Future-Forward Curriculum Approach
Dr. Jerry Parker
1:10 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30 p.m.–1:40 p.m.
Break
1:40 p.m.–2:10 p.m.
Voix authentiques : utiliser des témoignages de francophones à l’intersection de multiples cultures
Isabelle Teraoka
2:10 p.m.–2:40 p.m.
Teacher networking: Find a Classroom Partner
Connect with teachers interested in cultural presentations, virtual classroom visits and future classroom collaboration.
2:40 p.m.–2:55 p.m.
Questions, classroom resources and practical takeaways
2:55 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Certificates and conference closing
Certificates
Certificates documenting verified professional-development hours will be available to attendees who participate live and complete a brief attendance-verification form. Please note that acceptance of these hours is determined by your school, district or licensing authority.
Registration is closed
Registration for Teaching Beyond Borders closed on September 25. Registered participants have received the Zoom link by email.
Registered but can’t find your Zoom link? Email melissa@everywheretheresfrench.com.
What the Conference Will Focus On
Teaching Beyond Borders is designed for French teachers who want more than a quick culture add-on. The conference will focus on usable resources, classroom-ready ideas, and stronger ways to represent Francophone communities in the curriculum.
Practical Resources
Bring back ideas you can adapt for your own French classes, from cultural materials to classroom discussion prompts.
Francophone Perspectives
Explore ways to make the Francophone world more visible across levels, units, and language goals.
Teacher Community
Connect with educators who are asking similar questions about culture, identity, language, and representation.
Featured Keynote Speaker
Katy Wheelock
Owner of Vive l’Expérience
People Want to Be Seen: What Francophone Africa Taught Me About Why We Teach Language
Drawing on her experiences in Francophone Africa, Katy will explore how authentic cultural connections deepen language learning and remind us why representation and human connection matter in every French classroom.
Special Literary Presentation
Ali Akkache
Ali Akkache is a journalist, writer, French language and communication instructor, and author of three poetry collections in French and one in English.
Ali will share selections from his poetry and reflect on the power of language, identity, and culture throughout the Francophone world.
About Everywhere There’s French
Everywhere There’s French offers online French tutoring and language support with teachers from across the Francophone world. Dr. Melissa Kerley, founder and head of Everywhere There’s French, holds a Ph.D. in French from Tulane University and has taught French for more than 30 years.