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TESOL ITA-IS NEW MEMBERS
Dear interested TESOL International Teaching Assistants-Interest Section (ITA-IS) new members. We are glad that you’re interested in becoming part of our interest section. As a new member, it can be confusing on how to navigate everything. Here are some tips and information that you can use to become more engaged in our community. This list may not cover everything, but it should give you an idea about how engaged our ITA-IS members are.
1. Sign up for the non-TESOL listserv.
This is our primary method of communication. This listserv consists of TESOL, non-TESOL, and retirees from the ITA field. Since some people have moved on from the profession, this is the best way to stay connected with everyone. We post and share upcoming meetings and workshops via this listserv. To sign up for the listserv, please contact the ITA-IS former Chair, Stacy Suhadolc, at sas721@psu.edu to request being added to the ITA listserv.
2. Become an ITA-IS member through TESOL and sign up for the TESOL ITA-IS listserv.
By being a member, you are able to take advantage of materials and webinars through TESOL. As a member, you are able to vote for members to become part of the leadership steering committee. While we will try our best to cross list to both listservs, the TESOL listserv will include TESOL-wide information and voting procedures for ITA-IS members only.
- To become an ITA-IS member, find our community at https://my.tesol.org.
- Next, select the green button that says “Join/Leave this interest section” and select the tab that says “My communities of practice”.
- Select the box that says “International Teaching Assistants” under the Interest Sections tab.
- Don’t forget to hit “save” when you’re finished.
Note: You must be a member of TESOL before you can become a member of the ITA-IS. For information on becoming a member of TESOL, please go to https://www.tesol.org/about-tesol/membership
3. Engage in professional development activities
There are several ways that you can improve professionally through our IS:
a. Attend the annual TESOL International Association conference
- Be sure to look for sessions that have the “ITA” label in your program book or program software. For more information, please go to https://www.tesol.org/.
b. Webinars
- The ITA-IS offers several webinars throughout the year. Stay connected through the non-TESOL listserv to know what’s coming up.
c. YouTube Channel
d. Join a virtual ITA work group
- These ad hoc groups are formed by members in the non-TESOL listserv. If you’re interested in joining or creating a group, feel free to post in the non-TESOL listserv to generate interest. Some members have made their ad hoc groups more formal by taking notes in a shared Google Document during their session and even having invited speakers.
e. Read the ITA-IS Newsletter
- The ITA-IS Newsletter is published three times a year. The purpose of the ITA-IS Newsletter is to keep the membership informed about IS business and events that pertain to the TESOL convention. The newsletter also provides ESOL professionals with a forum for sharing teaching practices, research, and programmatic and administrative issues related to the English language proficiency testing and training of ITAs for instructional responsibilities in university classrooms.
- The newsletter is sent out on the TESOL listserv and non-TESOL listserv. It can also be found in the newsletter archive here: http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesolitais/issues/
f. Attend the ITA Professionals Symposium
- ITA professionals gather to attend this annual symposium that is has been located in various parts of the United States. Information about the symposium will be sent through the non-TESOL listserv.
4. Engage in networking opportunities.
a. Attend the ITA-IS social networking dinner at the annual TESOL International Association convention
- The dinner takes place directly after the ITA-IS business meeting. All ITA-IS members are welcome to join the meeting prior. The location of the dinner changes every year due to the location of the conference.
b. Attend the various professional development activities stated above
- ITA-IS members love to share ideas and network between and during professional development activities. Some of the best networking happens between sessions.
c. Post in the non-TESOL listserv
- Members are very active and welcoming and are willing to help other members look for new job opportunities.
d. Consider joining the ITA-IS leadership committee.
- There are several leadership positions that new members specifically may want to consider joining. If you’re interested in any of these positions, please contact the ITA-IS Chair. Below are a few highlighted positions that new members may want to get involved in.
Secretary – 1 year
- Attend and take minutes for the ITA-IS annual business meeting
- Work with Chair and Chair-Elect in preparation for the following year’s responsibilities
- Work with Member-at-Large to plan Intersection session at TESOL International Association Conference
Members-at-Large (2 positions) – 1 year
- Plan ITA-IS dinner
- Plan ITA-IS Intersection
- Work with the Secretary to plan webinars
Newsletter Editors (2 positions) – 2 years (1st year is an apprenticeship)
- Direct the publication of the ITA-IS newsletter.
- Liaison with editors of TESOL publications, affiliate newsletters, and other IS newsletters.
Community Events Organizer - 1 year
- Plan and execute at least three webinars per year
- Share webinars and other community-related information through MyTESOL and the ITA listserv
Webmaster - TBA
1. Update and maintain the https://ita-is.utah.edu website (or wherever else it might be hosted)
- Update the steering committee names
- Update and maintain the list of ITA programs at universities by sending an open call on the listserv for the members to check their website link.
- After sending a call for website corrections, check the website links to make sure there aren't any broken links.
2. Host the website on a server (preferably one that won't change from year to year)
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