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.
2019 Presidents' Award Recipient: iCivics
Since its founding in 2009 by former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics has provided over 200,000 teachers and 6 million students across the United States with free civics education lesson plans, resources, and interactive online games. One of iCivics’ most popular online games, “Do I Have a Right?” teaches students about constitutional law and individual rights. Following the game’s initial success, a Spanish version, “¿Tengo Algún Derecho?” was released to help English learners understand their civil liberties under the U.S. Constitution while improving their English language skills.
Commenting on the selection of iCivics to receive this prestigious award, TESOL President Luciana de Oliveira said, “iCivics’ commitment to empowering English learners through civics education is inspiring. The values of advocacy and empowerment that the organization embraces, and that TESOL International Association holds in such high regard, are admirable. TESOL is privileged to present iCivics with this honor in recognition of their collective hard work and dedication.”
Past Recipients
| Year |
Recipient |
| 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 |