Dear Colleagues,

Thanks for your interest in our newsletter! A lot has happened in the last year, and we have some exciting changes ahead of us:

TESOL 2017 Convention in Seattle, Washington, USA

Our interest section (IS) had two presentations:

• Enrich, Engage, Empower Using YouTube (academic session)

• Fostering Digital Responsibility by Understanding Fair Use (panel discussion with Material Writers and Second Language Writing ISs)

If you would like more information about a session, please contact me.

New Videos on YouTube

We will produce or collaborate with our colleagues to produce interesting videos, and upload them monthly or bimonthly to our playlist on TESOL’s YouTube channel. If you’re a teacher wearing different hats—videographer, editor, or other—we’d like to work with you. We are hoping to include teaching-related videos produced by you on our YouTube playlist. If you have a moment, please check it out.

VDMIS Is Changing…

I am thrilled to be working with our new chair-elect, Suzi Lee, and the rest of our team. VDMIS will benefit from Suzi’s experience, professionalism, and positive energy. We are discussing a name change, a restructured mission statement, and other IS activities.

Call for Participation

Please help us redesign our IS based on your needs. Let us know your thoughts: What are you interested in?Join us on Facebook or myTESOL, follow us on YouTube, or contact us directly with suggestions. Later this year, we’ll release a new mission statement based on your input.

What do you think about our name? VDMIS? Should we keep it or change it? Here are some other options, and please feel free to include other ones, as well:

• Video and Multimedia Interest Section (VMMIS)

• Multimedia and Video Interest Section (MMVIS)

Please share your ideas with us.

Greetings From New Team Members

At the IS meeting at TESOL Seattle, we were able to recruit two colleagues for new positions. Here’s a greeting from them:

Michelle Kaplan (MA TESOL), VDMIS Community Manager

The New School, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Hi, I’m Michelle!

I’m excited to be involved in VDMIS because I enjoy creating videos and other forms of media. I’d love to collaborate with and learn from others who share these interests. I enjoy teaching students about culture in the United States.

As I am passionate about podcasts, I have my students create their own podcasts. I presented the results at TESOL 2017. Check out my ESL podcast “All Ears English.”

A bit more about me: I have a background in theatre, media, music, and comedy, and often use these interests to find unique ways to teach my students. I love to sing and have done some stand-up comedy. I have been known to bring my guitar to class to perform a song with my students to learn English!

Rodrigo Carvalho, VDMIS Member-at-Large

Georgia Tech Language Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Hello, I’m Rodrigo!

I am currently a lecturer at the Georgia Tech Language Institute. Most of my time as an instructor is devoted to online course and MOOC development. The project I am most proud of is an online teacher training course on game-based teaching. At the IEP, I teach grammar and writing, but what I am most known for is my League of Legends integrated skills course for advanced learners. Because my experience with my League of Legends course was a successful one, I was invited to be part of the Hot Topics Panels on gaming at TESOL for 2 years in a row. Before joining Georgia Tech, I taught at the Federal University of Vicosa Extension English Program, in Brazil. My hobbies include watching movies and sports, especially soccer.

On a Personal Note

I changed positions at the New York Public Library. After being a regional manager of our Adult Learning Centers for a few years, I returned to my true passion and am now a lead instructor for ESOL and literacy classes. I teach all levels of ESOL and beginning literacy and focus on giving students tools for language practice outside of class. My work is very exciting and rewarding.

I enjoy incorporating digital literacy into lessons and creating my own print materials and videos. Outside the classroom, I have had the opportunity to present workshops and connect with colleagues at NYS TESOL, the New School Conference, the Literacy Assistance Center, and other venues. This year I’m thrilled to be presenting a workshop about practicing English with songs at the November MEXTESOL Convention in León, Mexico. For updates and more information, check out my “work-in-progress” website: www.EnglishYoyo.com

Please contact me with any feedback or questions you may have, and have a beautiful, relaxing, and creative summer!

All the best,

Elke

Elke Stappert has been with the New York Public Library since 2011, as a regional manager and as an ESOL and literacy teacher. She is also a part-time ESL and computer teacher at 1199SEIU Funds. Her teaching focus and interest is in providing digital literacy and encouraging outside-of-class practice. She enjoys editing song lyrics and other videos for student practice, and she loves cats.