Nine educators nationwide receive German teaching honor, WWU professor included

Sandra Alfers, a professor of German in Western Washington University's Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, has received the 2026 Goethe-Institut/American Association of Teachers of German Certificate of Merit. She is one of nine educators in the country recognized this year by the two organizations, which support German language studies and cultural exchange.

The Certificate of Merit is given to U.S. educators who have advanced the teaching of German, developed innovative curriculum and course design, worked across disciplines, and contributed to the profession. Alfers has taught courses across the German curriculum at WWU since 2008. Her research and teaching span German Studies and Holocaust Studies, and her scholarship has appeared in national and international journals and produced two monographs.

"It is a great affirmation knowing that I'm on the right track and I'm doing something right," Alfers said. "It motivates me to go on. I am really thrilled and honored."

Alfers founded the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity at WWU and served as its executive director until 2025. Under her direction, WWU became the first public university in Washington state to offer an undergraduate minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. She has also served with the Goethe-Institut Trainer Network and The Holocaust Educational Foundation of Northwestern University, and is co-chair of the foundation's 50th anniversary "Lessons and Legacies" conference in Chicago this year.

Jennifer Redmann, president of the American Association of Teachers of German, said award recipients "represent the very best of our profession" and that honorees promote communication skills, cultural knowledge, and intercultural awareness through their programs and teaching methods. The WWU German program was designated an AATG Center of Excellence in 2013.

Alfers will be recognized at a virtual ceremony scheduled for Nov. 8.