Persona · Traci Dougherty, M.Ed.

Educator · Presenter · Trainer

Magistra Dougherty

I'm Traci Dougherty — a Latin and Classical Studies educator with 14 years of classroom experience, from introductory courses through AP Latin. From 2015–2026 I taught at Upper Dublin School District, and from 2022–2026 I served as Vice President of Membership & Engagement for the American Classical League. As a neurodiverse educator and NECTFL Mead and LEAP Fellow, I build proficiency-based, neuroinclusive classrooms grounded in backward design and comprehensible input.

Before your class, I always thought of Latin as the “SAT language.” But once I started Latin in 6th grade I learned there was much more to it. Your classroom techniques have not only made me a better Latin student, but also a better English student.
— 8th grade student

Tabula I · Core beliefs

Core beliefs that guide my practice

Eight convictions, drawn from acquisition research, that shape every unit I write.

All students can acquire a second (or third!) language.
Language acquisition occurs as the result of receiving comprehensible input.
Compelling input can eliminate the need for motivation.
Comprehension precedes production.
Students will not invest in improving their second language unless they own it. — John DeMado
Immersion can be inefficient.
We learn grammar from language, not language from grammar. — Kató Lomb
Interaction is a driving force in acquisition.

Tabula II · Mission

My mission as a world language educator

My mission is to ensure ALL students:

Understand how languages are acquired.
Confidently see themselves as language learners.
Enroll in upper level classes.
Achieve intermediate proficiency by the end of high school.
Are empowered to keep acquiring language through deliberate practice, wherever life takes them.

Tabula III · Path

How I got here

Every belief on this page was earned in a classroom. Here's the road that shaped the way I teach.

Classics, then a master's
A B.A. in English, History, and Classics from Temple (2007), post-baccalaureate Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania (2008), and an M.Ed. from Temple (2009).
A data-driven start at Penn
Associate Director of Evaluation & Assessment / Data Analytics at the University of Pennsylvania (2007–2013) — where I learned to measure what a program is really doing for its learners.
Into the Latin classroom
Teaching Latin 1–3 at Souderton Area High School (2012–2015), where I founded a summer immersion camp to spark classical-language interest in 5th–8th graders.
Building a program
Teaching Latin at Upper Dublin School District (2015–2026), from introductory and exploratory courses through Latin IV and AP Latin, while leading curriculum, student organizations, contests, and experiential learning.
National leadership & fellowships
Vice President of Membership & Engagement for the American Classical League (2022–2026), Past Chair of Excellence Through Classics (2020–2024), and a NECTFL Mead Leadership and LEAP Fellow.

Tabula IV · Method

How I achieve it: the 3 C's

As an educator passionate about the craft, the theory, and the heart of teaching, I build every lesson around three commitments.

Comprehensible

We acquire language subconsciously through understandable messages — meaning is established early, checked constantly, and pitched one step beyond a learner's current level (i+1).

Compelling

When content becomes personally interesting, language becomes secondary and learners get “lost in the moment.” Grammar alone isn't interesting to most learners — story is.

Caring

When stress increases, learning decreases. I build a safety net where students can name confusion and stress, and I advocate openly as a neurodiverse learner myself.

She makes me feel like my input is wanted and all of her students' educations are important to her.
— 6th grade student

Tabula V · In practice

Service beyond the classroom: Pennsylvania Junior Classical League

The work doesn't stop at the bell. I help lead the statewide student organization that carries classics to the next generation.

Publications & Technology Chair · Board Member

Pennsylvania Junior Classical League

Since 2019 I've served on the PAJCL board, where I manage content pipelines, apply scope-and-sequence editorial standards, and direct layout production for the PLUMA newsletter and other publications serving a statewide network of Latin students — the torch of classical civilization, handed on.

2019

On the PAJCL board since

30+

Pennsylvania JCL schools in the network

NJCL

National network, 45,000+ members

Runs on it

Convention teams & contests
PLUMA newsletter & publications
NLE and PCS award winners
Community service & social events

Tabula VI · Record

Teaching background & credentials

Education & certification

M.Ed., Temple University (2009)
B.A. English, History & Classics, Temple University (2007)
Graduate study, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (2011); Post-Baccalaureate, Classical Studies (2008)
Teaching Certificate, Villanova University (2012–2013)
PA Instructional Certificate II: Latin, History & English (2019)
Google Certified Educator, Level II (2020)

Experience & leadership

14 years of classroom experience, from introductory through AP Latin
Vice President of Membership & Engagement, American Classical League (2022–2026)
Past Chair, Excellence Through Classics / ACL (2020–2024)
Editor, Gratias Artis & Executive Committee member, Philadelphia Classical Society (2012–present)
Publications & Technology Chair, Pennsylvania Junior Classical League (2019–present)
Vice President, ACTFL Neurodiversity Special Interest Group (2025–present)
Social Media Coordinator, Classical Association of the Atlantic States (2026–present)
2023 NECTFL Mead Innovation Fellow · 2024 NECTFL LEAP Fellow

Professional associations

American Classical League (ACL) · Classical Association of the Atlantic States (CAAS)
Classical Association of New England · National & Pennsylvania Junior Classical Leagues
Philadelphia Classical Society · ACTFL · NECTFL · MCATFL
PSMLA · NYSAFLT · FLAVA · PAMLE · ISTE

Tabula VII · Documents

Professional documents

Download a concise record of my experience and credentials, or read the philosophy that connects those experiences to daily classroom practice.

PDF document

Teaching résumé

Classroom experience, education, certification, professional leadership, selected presentations, and continuing study.

Download PDF

PDF document

Teaching philosophy

A focused account of the values behind a comprehensible, compelling, caring, and neuroinclusive Latin classroom.