RIFLA Norma Garnett Advocacy Award

The Rhode Island Foreign Language Association Advocacy Award
was created to honor the memory of Dr. Norma Garnett, a luminary in foreign language education since 1964. Dr. Garnett taught Spanish in the Warwick School System for over 30 years and was a professor of foreign language methodology at Brown University, Providence College, the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. She received many awards for her work, such as RI Teacher of the Year, RIFLA Teacher of the Year, Distinguished Teacher from the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, the Milken Educator Award, and in 2005, the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Award.

Dr. Garnett was also a tireless advocate for foreign language in the elementary school. Her work in this area resulted in the first after school language program for students in grades 3 through 6. RIFLA has created this award to honor her memory and her lifelong efforts toward establishing foreign language instruction in all schools.