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.
2021 Presidents' Award Recipient: International Rescue Committee (IRC): Education team
With its earliest roots dating back to 1933, the IRC has been strongly committed to responding to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helping people impacted by conflicts around the world. Currently operating in 40 countries and in 20 cities within the United States, the IRC and its teams on the ground help provide clean water, shelter, health care, education, and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people. In response to the ongoing global struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRC has implemented broad, bold programs to integrate support services while helping learners develop a wide range of critical skills.
Past Recipients
| Year |
Recipient |
| 2021 |
International Rescue Committee (IRC) Education team |
| 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 |