American Classical League Merens Award
Jenn Jarnagin , Interim ETC Chair
Nava Cohen , Chair of the Exploratory Latin Exam , was one of four recipients of the 2023 American Classical League Merens Award . The Merens Award recognizes sustained and distinguished service to the classics profession and to ACL in particular . Nava received her award at the annual ACL Institute where she was celebrated by scores of friends and colleagues .
Nava has spent most of her teaching career in the elementary grades . She has written and adapted many songs to engage young learners . Among her contributions are a number of Hanukkah songs that increased inclusivity in school holiday programming .
“ When writing songs I like to ask myself , ‘ What is the common humanity that we can build between our modern cultures and the ancient cultures that we all love ?’” Nava said in a recent interview with Ryan Sellers for Quintillian .
ACL President Jennie Luongo presents Nava Cohen with the ACL Merens Award .
Nava also helps young readers learn to listen and read Latin in original word order . “ The Romans didn ’ t cherry pick ” Nava says , “ they listened to Cicero in order . We need to guide students in this same way so that they learn to take the text as it comes .”
Nava has served both ACL and ETC in several capacities since 2007 . In addition to serving as Chair of the ELE Committee , Nava currently serves on the Middle School Committee , and has previously served on the Program and Nomination committees of ACL . From 2016-2017 , Nava served on the ACL and SCS Joint Task Force on the Standards for Classical Language Learning .
Nava contributes to the Society for Classical Studies as a member of Calliope ’ s Library and The Bridge , where she serves on the advisory board . Nava is an active member of the Illinois Classical Conference where she maintains the ICC website and chairs committees . She also advocates for classics in schools with the Illinois Junior Classical League .
Nava is currently completing a PhD in Comparative Literary Studies and Classics from Northwestern University where she is a Mellon Cluster Fellow in Classics .
Excellence Through Classics is pleased to congratulate Nava Cohen on this well-deserved award .
P R I M A | 1 1