Dear SRISers,

The past year seems to have come and gone, and we are already in the midst of 2015. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my reflections of a productive 2014 and my gratitude for the work you all do every day to ensure our students’ and communities’ awareness of important global issues is raised and that they make socially responsible choices a part of their lives.

I joined SRIS because of its focus on global issues and social justice. When I was a graduate student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I took a seminar class on radical pedagogy, in which I began studying race in TESOL. That was nearly 10 years ago now, but by being part of SRIS, I've been able to learn from a community of experts, expand my knowledge, and develop professionally.

SRIS’s mission plays a role in every aspect of what we do as TESOL professionals. Therefore, we will continue to expand our connections with other Interest Sections, forums, committees, and affiliates. This year SRIS collaborated through InterSections with EEIS, an ILGBTF forum, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and TESOL global affiliates. In addition, possible future collaboration with GSIG of IATEFL was discussed. We are making plans with ICIS and CALLIS for next year’s convention, and I hope that the upcoming year will bring further collaborations at the convention and year-round.

The 2015 TESOL convention gave us the chance to meet so many friends and colleagues from across the globe, strengthen alliances, forge new bonds, and become genuinely inspired. We expand our knowledge of theory and practice, continue molding our philosophies of teaching, and become fascinated with new areas of interest.

With TESOL’s governance restructuring and the sunset of 12 standing committees, there was a significant amount of discussion regarding the sunset of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which dissolves in October 2015. A concern was raised that without an official body dedicated to diversity efforts within TESOL, it would be taking a reactive rather than proactive stance on diversity. SRIS is taking an active role in collaborating with members from multiple ISs, forums, and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to make sure diversity in TESOL is not taken for granted. The Board of Directors supports this collaboration and we welcome your voices.

Bringing back the SRIS newsletter shares a resource that helps to define and strengthen our IS’s identity and shine the spotlight on our members’ year-round efforts. Finally, I'd like to extend gratitude to the SRIS leadership, past, present, and future. With your dedication and commitment, this IS has grown to where it is today and will continue to flourish.

Wishing you all the best,

Elisabeth