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Home> About TESOL > Association Governance > Initiatives and Special Projects > Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative

TESOL Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Initiative

Utilizing recommendations from the TESOL Diverse Voices Task Force (DVTF), TESOL International Association launched an association-wide effort in the Summer 2021 to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA) in all aspects of its governance and operations. 

Activities

 What We Have Done 

 What We Will Be Doing
  • Diversity training for Convention reviewers
  • DEI criteria for the executive director search
  • Expanded nominating committee outreach
  • Inclusive welcome message
  • Incidence reporting form
  • Increased outreach to diverse speakers
  • Recognition webinars
  • Interest Section webinars
  • Global panel during the 2021 Advocacy Summit
  • Enhanced demographic information for members
  • Created a new social media policy and code of conduct

The Board of Directors has identified the following activities and priorities for 2022:

  • DEIA training for Board, staff and volunteer leaders
  • Apply a DEIA lens and use a facilitator with DEIA expertise when developing TESOL's new strategic plan
  • Encourage historically marginalized and under-represented groups to become TESOL leaders
  • Review the TESOL awards to ensure they reflect our values and are inclusive of all
  • Recruit diverse writers and editors for TESOL publications
  • Target outreach to historically marginalized and under-represented groups

What You Can Do

  • Complete or update your profile to include demographic information
  • Educate yourself on diversity, equity, inclusion and access topics
  • Be an advocate for under-represented groups and marginalized individuals
  • Spread the word about TESOL's initiative and efforts
  • Welcome everyone to TESOL, both in-person and online
  • Participate in DEIA programs and events

TESOL Diverse Voices Task Force

Members of the task force, led by co-chairs Dr. Kisha Bryan and Dr. Eric Dwyer, voluntarily spent a period of 18 months researching, collecting, and analyzing data, and formulating recommendations to the TESOL Board of Directors. Their effort and its resulting product will be remembered as an inflexion point in the life of the association and its stakeholders. A summary of the task force's work and survey data is available.  

The TESOL Board of Directors is immensely grateful to this group of dedicated TESOL professionals for having lent their collective knowledge, expertise, and experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the purpose of helping the association elevate its standing, reputation, and leadership in this critical, emerging topic in global English language education. By providing their expertise, Task Force members have enabled us to fill a gap in the organization’s mission, vision, and core values.