Dear SRIS Members:

A particular blessing of the work of our Social Responsibility Interest Section newsletter editors is to plow through articles submitted by members and nonmembers expressing “What Social Responsibility Means to TESOL” in order to, as our editor Nicole Sealey put it, “show off their outstanding endeavors” after a long period of silence.

Even though they are, especially at these times, under pressure regarding their regular work responsibilities, Nicole and Jackie are pleased to have designed and tailored our newsletter. I am inspired by their insights and sense of responsibility towards our interest section.

We are all striving to carry out our mission, which comprises being “actively engaged in integrating language teaching with social responsibility, world citizenship, and an awareness of global issues such as peace, human rights, and the environment. We aim to promote social responsibility within the TESOL profession and to advance social equity, respect for differences, and multicultural understanding through education” (from the TESOL SRIS mission statement).

Indeed, through our work and actions we have and continue to empower students (young and old) from all backgrounds in academically rigorous, diverse, and supportive learning environments and have taken time out from our busy schedules to prepare presentations for the upcoming TESOL convention. Bravo!

A special thank you to our past chair, Earlene, who made quite an example of being an outstanding chair despite political unrest and health problems during her tenure.

I thank you all for your tireless efforts in making our IS what it is. Your contribution to the TESOL community is remarkable and highly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Comfort Davis Mingot