Dr. Catherine Ritz is a clinical associate professor and the program director for the World Language Education and Curriculum & Teaching programs at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. She teaches courses on world language pedagogy, research, and learning design, as well as courses on curriculum and teaching across content areas. Dr. Ritz\u2019s areas of interest include developing proficiency-based thematic curricula and assessments, effective world language pedagogical methods, and world language teacher development. Her research focuses on world language education, teacher practice, and programmatic leadership.<\/p>\n
Before joining Boston University, Dr. Ritz taught French and Spanish at the secondary level for many years, received National Board certification as a teacher of French, and was director of world languages in a public school district in the Boston area. She is an active presenter at national and regional conferences on world language pedagogy and curriculum design, and consults with school districts in these areas.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ritz is extremely active in service to her profession, volunteering on the boards of numerous professional associations for world language educators. She was a member of the board of directors for the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MaFLA) from 2012 to 2023, serving as president in 2015 and 2016. Dr. Ritz served on the board of the Northeast Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL), 2018\u20132022, and was vice president of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), 2020\u20132022. Dr. Ritz received the MaFLA Distinguished Service Award in 2022.<\/p>\n