Our guest Najoua Hotard will share information about language and culture programs, primarily STARTALK, that empower youth and educators throughout the country. She will also discuss her own faith journey: “God has brought STARTALK to allow me to experience a learning journey that keeps on giving. It connected me with youth endowed with a passion for opening their hearts and minds to other cultures. It also connected me with people whose spirituality changed the course of my life and brought me closer to God.” In recent months, the scope of the STARTALK program has taught Najoua that God always provides the strength she needs to overcome problematic issues. She hopes this discussion will encourage schools and individuals to offer programs like STARTALK in their own communities so our youth will be properly equipped to become global citizens and leaders who can change the world through humanity and cultural understanding.Click to find out more about STARTALK.
About Dr. Najoua Hotard
Najoua Hotard, Ph.D. is the President and Founder of the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange, Inc. (I.C.L.C.E.) in Baton Rouge Louisiana.
She is an educator with 23 years experience. Since 2007, Najoua has focused her energies on providing federally funded critical language programs, namely STARTALK, to youth and professionals in the United States.
Throughout her journey as a teacher, she has firmly believed her strength comes from God’s guidance to help youth from all backgrounds become leaders. Under Najoua’s direction, I.C.L.C.E. implemented the STARTALK grant for 2008, 2009, and 2011. Najoua is actively engaged in the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV), the New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), and several other professional and community-based governmental and professional groups.
Najoua’s Success Tip
Any business involves hard work and sometimes growing pain. Having faith in God’s power and mercy and keeping a positive upbeat lessens the difficulties. When I started the business, I tended to be impatient and had a sense of urgency to achieve success. STARTALK program has brought me blessings in the sense that it taught me how to regain my spiritual strength. It brought my way young people eager to learn and become global citizens, as well as team members and friends ready to lend a hand at anytime. Like my dear Sarita Mehta said, one has to free the mind from the negative and focus on bringing hope and peace to every action we do. She told me once that we push the button on a phone and we can reach someone fast. God is always there. We just have to learn how to talk to him and it is not that difficult. As you see businesses or programs , small or big become meaningful when they bring about change and empowerment through great human beings we meet.
Najoua’s Favorite Quote
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the World: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
Listen to the interview with Najoua by clicking the audio arrow or link below.
Thank you not only for sharing your passion for STARTALK, but also for sharing your personal faith journey with us. I am honored to know you and promote your work.
Bless you!
Jory