Derina Samuel, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

Hello Everyone!

It has been several months since I have been the International Teaching Assistant Interest Section (ITAIS) chair, but I’m grateful for this opportunity to thank each one of you for your support through the past year. It was not an easy year as an interest section, but catching up with many of you at TESOL in March made me even more convinced of the value and strength of our group. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together to share ideas, network, and build new connections!

Our annual business meeting was held on Thursday, 14 March, and it was a chance to thank the outgoing leaders and welcome the new steering committee. I’d especially like to thank our member-at-large, Ekaterina Arshavskaya, who coordinated our delicious ITAIS dinner, immediately following the meeting!

Navigating through the past year, I have been especially grateful for the unfailing support of the ITA-IS Steering Committee: Stephen Looney, Mo Burke, Maria Mendoza, Stacy Suhadolc, Ekaterina Arshavskaya, Laura Murphy, and Diane Cotsonas—thank you! I am thrilled to have Mo Burke take over as chair, and I wish the new steering committee all the best!

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Denver next year!

Best wishes,

Derina