|
Hello Everyone,
Even though we could not reunite in Denver this year, we were
all grateful for the opportunity to get together in our virtual Business
Meeting and the virtual social back in April. I was happy to see many
of you and want to thank you for being there and for your contributions!
I would especially like to thank Mo Burke for serving as the
International Teaching Assistants Interest Section (ITAIS) chair in the
2019–2020 cycle and for her support as I navigate my new role as chair. I
also want to thank those who are serving in the steering committee this
year.
I am very pleased to see that the ITAIS is as active in the
virtual world as it has always been. We began planning virtual formats
back in January, and kicked the project off with virtual posters in
February and March. I believe this initiative prepared the way for our
transition to a fully online professional community after the conference
was cancelled due to the pandemic. A group of colleagues worked
together to collect presentations from the ITA Symposium to make them
available to all ITAIS members. You can access them on the ITA Professionals
Symposium Sharing Board.
Another group of colleagues is engaging in planning for the
next academic year and discussing their institution’s responses to
COVID-19. They are holding periodic meetings to discuss virtual
orientations, remote ITA training, online assessment, and other
responses to our current situation. Thank you for creating new avenues
for professional development and new spaces for continuous
discussion.
Being part of the ITAIS gives us opportunities to share ideas,
network, and build new connections. I am grateful for being part of such
a supportive community. I am looking forward to a great year as the
TESOL ITAIS chair. It is an honor to serve the ITAIS for the upcoming
year.
Warm regards,
Maria | 
