Since 1999, TESOL has recognized individuals who have advocated for, and on behalf of, the ESL/EFL profession and the constituency that it serves. Since 2000, one of these individuals has been nominated by a TESOL affiliate outside the United States.
Eligible nominees are public officials, institutional leaders, or community leaders. Nominations for the honor are annually accepted from TESOL affiliates.
Past honorees include: | 2000 | Dr. David Lam | nominated by B.C. TEAL (Canada) |
| 2002 | Dr. Victor Galindo Sanchez | nominated by Mexico TESOL
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| 2003 | Raffaele Sanzo
| nominated by TESOL Italy
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| 2004 | Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan | nominated by TESOL Arabia
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| 2005 | Dr. Vladimir Kurilov | nominated by FEELTA (Russia)
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| 2006 | Sergio Bitar | nominated by TESOL Chile
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| 2007 | Léon-Charles Ciss | nominated by ATES (Senegal)
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| 2008 | Dr. K. Lakshminarayana | nominated by FORTELL (India) |
| 2009 | Goran Andonovski & Zarko | nominated by ELTAM (Macedonia) |
| 2010 | Minister Lucy Molinar | nominated by Panama TESOL |