Every year the TESOL President, in collaboration with the President-Elect and the Past President, selects a recipient for the annual Presidents’ Award. The award honors individuals and organizations outside of TESOL who have demonstrated a commitment to English-language instruction, helped TESOL further its mission, and supported education in general. Past recipients of the TESOL Presidents' Award come from diverse backgrounds and include The British Council, UNICEF, and the Peace Corps.
2020 Presidents' Award Recipient: Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw
She is a law professor at Columbia University and UCLA. She founded and directs Columbia Law School's Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies (CISPS), and she is a co-founder of the African American Policy Forum. Hers is a cornerstone for work on critical race theory and was influential in drafting the equality clause in the South African constitution. She is a prolific author and a lecturer globally on topics including race, women, and civil rights. Her contributions are extensive and impressive.
Dr. Crenshaw has spoken specifically about the struggles of immigrant women in the United States. They struggle – and they succeed – as people of color, as women, and as immigrants. They are more than any one aspect, and in today’s world, any or all of these aspects can be used against them. As their teachers, we work with our immigrant students to understand and prevail against obstacles, only one of which is English.
Past Recipients
| Year |
Recipient |
| 2020 |
Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw |
| 2019 |
iCivcs |
| 2018 |
Jim Cummins |
| 2017 |
The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF)
|
| 2016 |
International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) |
2015
|
Linda Darling Hammond |
| 2014 |
British Council |
| 2013 |
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program |
| 2012 |
BRAC Education Programme |
| 2011 |
Association of Binational Centers in Latin America (ABLA) |
| 2010 |
The Peace Corps |
| 2009 |
Sen. Gilbert Cedillo & UCLA Improving Dreams, Equality, Access & Success (IDEAS) |
| 2008 |
Laurie Olsen |
| 2007 |
Li Ka-shing |
| 2006 |
American Civil Liberties Union |
| 2005 |
Claudio Sanchez |
| 2004 |
Howard Gardner |
| 2003 |
Morris Dees |
| 2002 |
John H. Flavell |
| 2001 |
The Spencer Foundation |
| 2000 |
Milton Wong |
| 1999 |
UNICEF Education for Development Unit |
| 1998 |
James Banks |
| 1997 |
Charles Ferguson |
| 1996 |
The Center for International Exchange of Scholars |
| 1995 |
Le Ly Hayslip |
| 1994 |
George Soros |
| 1993 |
Hillary Rodham Clinton |
| 1992 |
Lt. Governor David C. Lam |
| 1991 |
Paulo Freire |
| 1988 |
Senator Paul Simon |