What does TESOL International Association mean to you? If you were to choose your own image to represent your answer, what would it look like?

Would it be an image of an open window, because TESOL opens up new realms to you? Would it be an image of a meeting place where people exchange ideas and perspectives? Or a picture of a “happy end” sign, because TESOL inspires you and shows you ways that lead to happy ends for your learners?

Would it be an image of a reflection, because TESOL makes you reflect on your professional doings? Or would it be an image of friends, because your colleagues in the profession are your friends? Would it be an image of two people pointing in the same direction, for we in TESOL all head towards the same professional goals? Or an image of a deli, because TESOL offers a selection of resources, activities, opportunities? 

Would it be an image of a statue of a person hanging by umbrella, because TESOL is your professional safety net? An image of a variety of yellow purses, because TESOL members are diverse, yet we all share one common thing—passion for teaching? Or would it be an image of a sugar cube, because TESOL just tastes sweet?

Perhaps it would be just an abstract image, for TESOL can be hard to describe to those outside. Or would it be an image of a moving walkway at an airport, because TESOL takes you places?

Personally, the association has been all these things to me since I joined in 1999. My 22 years with TESOL are a collage of professional and personal experiences that have made me a better professional and, in many ways, even a better person. Being a part of a diverse global community has transformed my beliefs, ideas, and actions inside and outside the classroom. My every interaction with colleagues from various multilingual contexts worldwide on professional issues makes me more open-minded and respectful of the variety of human beings we all represent. It makes me more aware of the world outside my context. It inspires and informs my work as a second language teacher educator. I am sure you would agree with me when I say that the power and beauty of TESOL International Association lies in its spectrum of English language teaching professionals that the association brings together.

We can hardly imagine what the upcoming weeks and months will offer. We don’t know how the pandemic will play out. We don’t know what life will be like for everyone. However, one thing we can be sure of is that TESOL will be there.

I look forward to engaging in conversations and collaborations with you all to continue building our professional home and our profession. I feel very much honored to be serving you as TESOL president for 2021–2022.

I will be sharing my year of leading the association on Instagram. Please, join me there at @tesol_president to engage in dialogue and to think about our profession. 

P.S. If you have your own photograph that represents what TESOL International Association means to you, please share it with me (gkleckova@tesol.org). I would like to see how you capture that meaning through an image.  

Gabriela Kleckova
TESOL President (2021–2022)

Gabriela Kleckova, PhD, is TESOL International Association president (2021–2022). She chairs the English Department at the Faculty of Education, University of West Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. She has taught a wide range of general English courses and ESOL professional courses for preservice and in-service teachers of various cultural and language backgrounds. Her professional interests include the effectiveness and utility of visual design of ELT materials, teacher education, innovation in education, and leadership.