Lance Piantaggini

Education

Degrees & Certificates

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  University of Massachusetts Amherst, currently enrolled
  Teacher Education & School Improvement
  Amherst, MA
• SIT Graduate Institute’s TESOL Certificate (130 Hours)
  International Language Institute, 2016
  Northampton, MA
• Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
  Kent State University, 2013
  World Languages – Latin, Grades 7-12
  Kent, OH
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2007 cum laude
  Classical Civilization
  Amherst, MA

Grading, Assessment, Leadership (beyond degrees)

• Instructional Leadership Certificate (course 1 of 4), Harvard University, June 2023 (6 weeks)
• Ungrading to Break Barriers Toward Learning, Drake University, 2023 (3 Graduate Credits)
• Grading for Equity Virtual Institute, 2021 (3 days)

Second Language (beyond degrees)

• iFLT Language Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, 2019 (30 hours)
• National TPRS Conference, Danvers, MA 2018 (40 hours)
• National TPRS Conference, San Antonio, TX, 2017 (40 hours)
• National TPRS Conference, Reno, NV, 2016 (48 hours)
• iFLT Language Conference, Chattanooga, TN, 2016 (25 hours)
• CI 810: Comprehensible Input for Language Acquisition, Portland State University, OR, 2015 (3 Graduate Credits)
• PEDU 9425 Storytelling Practicum, University of the Pacific, CA, 2015 (3 Graduate Credits)
• Blaine Ray TPRS Workshop, Boston, MA, 2015 (12 hours)
• Blaine Ray TPRS Workshop, Hartford, CT, 2014 (12 hours)

Latin Immersion & Courses

• Teaching Women Writing Latin, 2020 (8 hours)
• Paideia Institute’s Living Latin in NYC, NY, 2015 (8 hours)
• Conventiculum Lexingtoniense, Lexington, KY, 2013 (70 hours)
• Conventiculum Dickinsoniense, Carlisle, PA, 2013 (60 hours)
• L’Academia Vivarium Novum, Rome, IT, 2011 (163 hours)

Education Abroad

• L’Academia Vivarium Novum, 2011 summa cum dilectione
  Latin Immersion
  Rome, Italy
• DIKEMES / College Year in Athens, 2006/2007
  Study Abroad
  Athens, Greece

Honors/Achievements

• 5-star Award Outdoor Adult Archery Achievement, current
• 6-star Award Indoor Adult Archery Achievement, current
• SAAM Senior Barebow Bronze Medalist, 2021
• Prize winner of the first Tea with BvP Second Language Acquisition Quiz, 2015
• Manson A. Stewart Teacher Training Award – CAMWS, 2013
• Golden Key International Honour Society, Kent State University Chapter, 2012
• Eta Sigma Phi – Epsilon Omicron Chapter, 2006

Teaching Licenses

Massachusetts (Latin and Classical Humanities, 5-12)

• Initial Educator (2nd tier license, renewed), 2015 – **

Connecticut (Latin and Classical Humanities, 7-12)

• Provisional Educator (2nd tier license), 2015 – 2023

Vermont (Latin – Modern and Classical Language, 7-12)

• Level 1 (Initial license), 2016 – 2019

Ohio ( World Languages – Latin, K-12)

• 4-Year Resident Educator License, 2013 – 2017

Licensure Tests

• MTEL Communication and Literacy – Passed 2015
• MTEL Latin and Classical Humanities – Passed 2014
• PRAXIS II Latin – Passed 2013
• PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching – Passed 2012

Experience

Springfield Honors Academy, Springfield, MA
Springfield Honors Academy (SHA) is a public high school within the Springfield Empowerment Zone located in the High School of Commerce.

Equitable Grading Coordinator 2021-2023

• Researched best practices in grading & assessment
• Co-created numerous policies (w/ admin)
• Developed recommended scales, rubrics, and systems that teachers were free to adopt and use
• Presented PD sessions
• Worked with admin & teachers to maintain gradebook consistency schoolwide
• Met 1-on-1 w/ teachers to provide solutions for grading & assessment problems
• Did research for/supported teachers with new grading & assessment ideas

Lead Latin Teacher 2017-2023

• Taught Latin to all 9th grade/first year Latin students
• Supervised four UMass Graduate Students seeking licensure (i.e., practicum/student teaching)
• Established SHA Latin program mission and vision in 2018 to a) teach target culture through Latin (not English), b) emphasize implicit acquisition of grammar more than it being explicitly taught, c) emphasize message content more than accurately identified/produced forms, and d) provide learners with frequent opportunities to read copious amounts of level-appropriate, understandable, compelling Latin, not translating in order to understand.
• 2018-19 Member of Teacher Leadership Team (TLT) voting on Working Conditions, etc.
• Collected and analyzed Semester 1 data from school-wide behavior/discipline system in order to evaluate its effectiveness

Site Coordinator & Latin Teacher – Paideia Institute’s Aequora Program, Amherst, MA, 2016 – 2017

• Ran after-school Latin program emphasizing English literacy, grade 5

Latin Teacher – Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, Amherst, MA, 2016 – 2017

• Planned and taught Latin I & IV (Ovid & Catullus), grades 9–12
• 10th grade Advisor

English Teacher  – The Boaz Organization for Youth, New York City, NY, 2016

• Planned and taught refugee immigrant youth, ages 15 – 20
• Designed the first annual Summer English Program

Language Teacher – Nessacus Regional Middle School, Dalton, MA, 2015 – 2016

• Stepped in as third teacher to plan and teach a struggling new 7th grade Exploratory Language program in Spanish, Latin, and French
• Produced short videos of 32 teaching days for personal reflection on teaching practices. These videos were shared with Ben Slavic’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) for discussion on Comprehensible Input (CI) strategies and techniques

Latin Teacher – Proximity Learning, Inc., Online Teaching, 2015

• Planned and taught Exploratory Latin, and Latin I & II, grades 3 – 12 to public school students in Michigan, Texas, and New Jersey
• Implemented a Portfolio-Based Proficiency grading system using Canvas LMS Outcomes, and Standards rubrics
• Designed and piloted Exploratory Latin  curriculum, August 2015

Latin Teacher – Lyme-Old Lyme High School, Old Lyme, CT, 2013 – 2015

• Planned and taught Latin I – IV, grades 9-12.
• Implemented teacher intervention for work completion.  100% of students completed 100% of the work for Quarter 1, 2014.
• Worked with department to align courses with ACTFL’s Proficiency Levels.
• Member of NEASC Standard Committee during re-accreditation.
• Curriculum rewritten, Summer 2014.
• Retention rates for 2015-16 (based on course selection):
  • 98% overall
  • 100% of Latin I’s
  • 100% of Latin II’s
  • 90% of Latin III’s
• Retention rates for 2014-15:
  • 64% overall
  • 85% of Latin I’s
  • 50% of Latin II’s
  • 13% of Latin III’s

Long-term Substitute Latin Teacher – Ravenna High School, Ravenna, OH, 2013

• Planned a 4-week “Time-Travel” game for Latin levels I – IV, grades 9 – 12. Game mechanics included experience-based character development, choice of classwork in order gain achievement titles, opportunities for Latin composition, recitation, and group collaboration.

Field Study & Student Teaching – Stow-Munroe Falls High School, Stow, OH, 2012 – 2013

• Planned and taught Latin I – IV as well as Greek and Roman culture, grades 9 – 12.  Coordinated a series of lessons with a Spanish teacher in which the two classes communicated through the aid of American Sign Language.   Attended school-sponsored events to show support.

Part-Time Classroom Teaching – Community Home School, Amherst, MA, 2009

• Developed curriculum and taught a small group of students aged 11 – 15.  Focused on vocabulary building and introduced the class to Virgil’s Aeneid by accompanying the recitation with hand drums in order to reinforce the meter.

Part-Time Substitute Teaching – Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, Amherst, MA, 2008 – 2009

• Taught elementary and secondary school students in subject areas of English, Math, History, and French.  Assisted (long-term position) a student with disabilities experiencing social, emotional, behavioral and academic challenges at the EastStreetAlternativeHigh School in the district.

Instructing – Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps, Nashua, NH

2008 Staff Coordinator/Visual Caption Head

• Organized 10-month rehearsal schedule and oversaw 12 staff members.  Directed ensemble rehearsals and led over 50 students aged 14 – 21 to Semi-Finals competition at the 2008 DCI Summer Music Games in Bloomington, IN.  Developed the approach and style of marching, implemented body movement, and was responsible for the visual achievement of the ensemble as a whole.

2006 Snare Drum Technician/Battery Visual Coordinator

• Provided on-field, technical instruction to 6 percussion members aged 16 – 20.  Coordinated the approach, style of marching, and body movement of the entire marching percussion section.

2005 Cymbal Technician

• Provided on-field, technical instruction to 4 percussion members aged 16 – 21.  Focused on the visual contribution to the ensemble as a whole through the development of a unique performing style.

Other Experience

USA Archery Level 3 Coach, 2023 – current
USA Archery Instructor Trainer, 2021 – current
USA Archery Level 1 Judge, 2022 – current
USA Archery Level 2 Coach, 2022 – 2023
USA Archery Level 1 Coach, 2021 – 2022
Sattva Center for Archery, Florence, MA

• Coaches group and private lessons. Trains Level I and Level II coaches. Judges local indoor and outdoor tournament events.

Designer – LPvisual, 2009 – current

• Designs shows for high school marching bands across the US.  Services include original compositions, arranged music, and drill (formation) design for both competitive and non-competitive groups.

Reader – Hackett Publishing, Cambridge, MA, 2015

• Trouble-shot errors in a draft of a Latin textbook supplement’s second edition

Volunteering

• Latin SCRIBO Judge, Ascanius Youth Classic Institute, Boston, MA, 2012 –  2015
• Latin Judge, Suffolk Classical Society’s Declamatio, SUNY Stony Brook, NY, 2007
• Host family for International Language Institute’s (ILI) Home-stay Program, Northampton, MA, 2011-2012

Technology

Utilizes technology in paper-saving efforts as well as immediate feedback and data collection in the classroom.  Favorites now include:

• Google Docs, Forms, Sheets

Professional Organization Memberships

• CANE – Classical Association of New England

Past:

• ACL – American Classical League
• ACTFL – American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
• CAM – Classical Association of Massachusetts
• MaFLA – Massachusetts Foreign Language Association

Interviews & Publications

Interviews

• We Teach Languages Podcast, Episode 108 (2019)

Articles

• Piantaggini, Lance (2020). Grammar-Translation: What Is It—Really—For Students? The Journal of Classics Teaching 21 (42) p.92-94, Cambridge University Press
• Piantaggini, Lance (2019). Input-Based Activities. The Journal of Classics Teaching 20 (39) p.51-56, Cambridge University Press
• Piantaggini, Lance (2018). Building Rhythmic Fluency. New England Classical Journal 45.1, p.33-38

Pisoverse Novellas , etc. (original historical fiction set in classical antiquity and beyond):

• Quīntus et āleae īnfortūnātae (2023)
• Quīntus et īnsula horrifica (2023)
• Pīsō senex et sempermūtābilisyllabī (2022)
• Olianna et sandalia extraōrdināria (2022)
• mythos malus: convīvium Terregis (2022)
• Mārcus et scytala Caesaris (2021)
• diāria sīderum (2021)
• Olianna et obiectum magicum (2021)
• Mārcus magulus (2021)
• Magister P’s Poetry Practice (2021)
• ecce, poēmata discipulīs! (2021)
• Agrippīna aurīga (2021)
• sīgna zōdiaca Vol. III (2020)
• sitne amor? (2020)
• Poenica purpurāria (2020)
• sīgna zōdiaca Vol. II (2020)
• sīgna zōdiaca Vol. I (2020)
• trēs amīcī et mōnstrum saevum (2020)
• Pīsō et Syra et pōtiōnēs mysticae (2019)
• Syra et animālia (2019)
• Pīsō: Tiered Versions (2019)
• Tiberius et Gallisēna ultima (2019)
• Syra sōla (2019)
• Magister P’s Pop-Up Grammar (2018)
• Rūfus et gladiātōrēs Student FVR Reader (2018)
• Quīntus et nox horrifica (2018)
• Rūfus et Lūcia: līberī lutulentī (2018)
• Līvia: māter ēloquens (2018)
• Drūsilla in Subūrā (2018)
• Pīsō perturbātus (2018)
• Drūsilla et convīvium magārum (2018)
• fragmenta Pīsōnis (2017)
• Rūfus lutulentus (2017)
• Agrippīna: māter fortis (2017)
• Rūfus et arma ātra (2017)
• Pīsō Ille Poētulus (2016)

Professional Development

Language Courses Taken

• American Sign Language I, II, III, Fluency Fast, 2021 (24 hours)
• Intermediate Spanish, Fluency Fast @NTPRS 2018, Danvers, MA, 2018
• Beginner French,  International Language Institute (ILI), Northampton, MA, 2016

Professional Teachers Observed

• Angie Dodd, Spanish Teacher, Brattleboro Union High School, VT, 2016
• John Piazza, Latin Teacher, Berkeley High School, CA, 2015
• Nathan Wheeler, Greek Teacher, Norwich Free Academy, CT, 2014
• Kevin Ballestrini, Latin Teacher, Norwich Free Academy, CT, 2014

Workshops & Papers Presented

• The Impact of Grades on Learning, CANE, 2023
• Ungrading: Theory to Practice, Classroom to School, Conference in the Cloud, 2022
• Sip the Quiz! & Equitable Grading Practices, CANE, Virtual Meeting, 2022
• “Teaching Latin to Students Who Don’t Know Latin and Don’t Care Much about the Romans” for Novellas: Aligning Purpose and Audience (Panel), CANE, Virtual Meeting, 2021
• Slide Talk Stories, COMPREHENDED!, 2021
• How To Organize Your [Teaching] Life, COMPREHENDED!, 2021
• Whole Class Novella Reading (As Early As Year 1, Day 2!), COMPREHENDED!, 2021
• The People of the Pisoverse, March 30, 2020 2pm Excellence Through Classics
• Talk & Read: The Daily No-Burnout Lesson Plan, Voces Digital & Teacher’s Discovery, March 19, 2020
• Free Texts! A Must-Have High-Leverage Strategy, CANE, Hartford, CT, 2020 (COVID-19 Cancel)
• Teaching Culture In Latin, ACL, NYC, 2019
• No Prep Poetry of the Week, ACL, NYC, 2019
• Scaffolding Storyasking & Input Hypermile, CANE, Worcester, MA, 2019
• Classroom Demo – Latin 1 from Day 1, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Classroom Demo – Latin 1, Input-Based Strategies & Activities, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Classroom Demo – Troubleshooting, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Classroom Demo – Latin 1, Quick Quizzes, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Classroom Demo – Latin 1, Discipulus Illustris (i.e. Special Person), Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Classroom Demo – Latin 1, Storyasking, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• No-Prep Grading & Assessment, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Universal Language Curriculum (ULC), Comprehensible Online, 2019
• Setting Up a New Classroom, Comprehensible Online, 2019
• TPRS & Storyasking, North Reading High School, MA, 2018
• Comprehension-Based & Communicative Teaching: Equitable Access for All, Albemarle Public Schools, Charlottesville, VA, 2018
• Optimizing Your Classroom Setup for MGMT, RIFLA, Smithfield, RI, 2018
• No-Prep Grading & Assessment, RIFLA, Smithfield, RI, 2018
• Optimizing Your Classroom Setup for MGMT, NTPRS, Danvers, MA, 2018
• Questioning Is Core, NTPRS, Danvers, MA, 2018
• No-Prep Grading & Assessment, NTPRS, Danvers, MA, 2018
• No-Prep Grading & Assessment, Tri-State TCI (CT, MA, RI) June PLN, Granby, CT, 2018
• Same Skills: Different Game, Comprehensible Online, 2018
• Optimizing Your Classroom Setup for MGMT, Comprehensible Online, 2018
• Questioning Is Core, Comprehensible Online, 2018
• Questioning Is Core (Making Latin More Comprehensible), CANE, URI, 2018
• The Amazing Disappearing Grammar Syllabus, VCLA , Montpelier, VT, 2017
• Same Skills: Different Game, NTPRS, San Antonio, TX, 2017
• No-Prep Grading & Assessment, NTPRS, San Antonio, TX, 2017
• Storyasking Basics, CANE, Exeter, NH, 2017
• Shifting to a Much-Needed Proficiency-Based Grading System, ACTFL, Boston, MA, 2016
• Teaching Latin Communicatively: CI, MaFLA, Newton, MA 2016
• After the CI Honeymoon Phase, CANE, Northampton, MA, 2016
• Building Rhythmic Fluency, ACL Institute, UConn, Storrs, 2015
• Building Rhythmic Fluency, CANE, Dedham, MA, 2015

Conferences Attended

CANE Annual Meeting, Needham, MA, 2023 (1 day)
CANE Annual Meeting, [virtual], 2022 (2 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, [virtual], 2021 (2 days)
Intercoastal Latin Teacher Summit #1, 2021 (1 day)
iFLT Language Conference, St. Petersburg, FL, 2019 (4 days)
ACL Centennial, NYC, 2019 (3 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, Worcester, MA, 2019 (2 days)
National TPRS Conference, Danvers, MA 2018 (5 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, Kingston, RI, 2018 (2 days)
National TPRS Conference, San Antonio, TX, 2017 (5 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, Exeter, NH, 2017 (2 days)
ACTFL 2016 Annual Convention, Boston, MA, 2016 (3 days)
National TPRS Conference, Reno, NV, 2016 (5 days)
iFLT Language Conference, Chattanooga, TN, 2016 (4 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, Northampton, MA, 2016 (2 days)
TCI Maine, Lewiston, ME, 2015 (2 days)
ACL Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 2015 (3 days)
CAM, Westwood, MA, 2015 (1 day)
CANE Annual Meeting, Dedham, MA, 2015 (2 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, Manchester, NH, 2014 (2 days)
CAMWS Annual Meeting, Iowa City, IA 2013 (2 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, Needham, MA, 2012 (2 days)
CANE Annual Meeting, South Hadley, MA, 2011 (2 days)

Online Courses

• Best Practices in Online Course Design and Delivery, 2015
• Games MOOC III: Build the Game using Apps, AR and ARGs, 2013

Courses/Webinars

• Cultivating Teacher Development (Coaching); at marzanoresearch.com (Marzano, R., Simms, J.), 2013
• iPads – Applying Apps for Creativity and Communication; at ISTE.org (Smith, B., Mader, J.), 2013
• Teaching Culture using Project-Based Differentiated Instruction; at IALLT.org by Liu, C., 2013
• Technology in the Classroom: A Practical Approach, Kent, OH,  Johansson, E.Andreas, 2012 (2 day workshop)
• Google Earth for the Latin Classroom; at Bolchazy-Carducci.com, De Vries, Laurel, 2012

Regional Professional Development

• Regional PD, Waterford High School, CT, 2014
• Regional PD as Moderator for Latin small group discussion, Waterford High School, CT,  2013

In-Building Professional Development

• Tech PD as on-hand support for rest of faculty, Lyme-Old Lyme High School, CT, 2014

Various other jobs & positions held

• Greeter at COVID-19 vaccination site
• Customer Service/Key Holder/Notary Public at a shipping store
• Jewelry Designer
• Apprentice Watchmaker
• Dishwasher at a French restaurant
• Key Holder/Shift Closer at a bakery
• Server at a retirement community
• Administrative Assistant at a college
• Audio/Visual projector installer
• Student Fundraiser
• Study Abroad Representative for an international program
• Strawberry, Squash, Zucchini, and Corn picker
• Key Holder at a video rental shop
• Customer Service at a pharmacy
• Bank Teller
• Cashier at a toy store
• Drumset Tutor
• Neighborhood Curb-side Recycling Entrepreneur
• Paperboy