MTSU French professor earns National Online Teaching Award and $121,000 NEH grant

(December 3, 2024)

WGNS Radio

MTSU professor Joan McRae received two significant honors this semester: a $121,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the national Online Teaching Award for her innovative virtual language instruction. The NEH grant will support McRae's research on Renaissance-era feminist poet Anne de Graville, including translating her works to highlight early feminist discourse. McRae's dedication to accessible education is evident in her creation of free online French textbooks, combining traditional teaching techniques with digital tools. Starting in 2025, McRae will travel to France to study and translate 500-year-old manuscripts, contributing to the preservation and understanding of pre-1600 women's literature.

In early October, McRae landed a $121,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, or NEH. The French language professor also received the national Online Teaching Award from the Distance Learning Special Interest Group of the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Language, a professional organization that connects foreign language teachers from all educational levels.