TESOL ITA-IS New Members

Dear interested TESOL International Teaching Assistants-Interest Section (ITA-IS) new members,

We are glad that you are interested in becoming part of our interest section. As a new member, trying to navigate everything can be confusing. Here are some tips on how to get involved in our community. This list may not cover everything, but it should give you an idea about how engaged our ITA-IS members are.

1. Sign up for the non-TESOL listserv.

This is our primary method of communication. This listserv consists of TESOL, non-TESOL, and retirees from the ITA field. Since some people have moved on from the profession, this is the best way to stay connected with everyone. We post and share upcoming meetings and workshops via this listserv.

2. Become an ITA-IS member through TESOL and sign up for the TESOL ITA-IS listserv. 

By being a member, you have access to materials and webinars through TESOL. As a member, you can vote for members to become part of the leadership steering committee. While we will try our best to cross list to both listservs, the TESOL listserv will include TESOL-wide information and voting procedures for ITA-IS members only.

• To become an ITA-IS member, find our community once you’ve logged in at myTESOL.
• Next, in the top black menu bar select "communities" and in the search bar select "select communities in Interest Sections"
• You will see a table of sections (green); either click on the "load more" orange button at the bottom or search" ITA"
• Click on the orange "join" button
• You will see a "request to join" window. Indicate in the drop-down menu whether or not you are a TESOL member. Click send.
• If you are a member you will see an orange button: "go to community."

Note: You must be a member of TESOL before you can become a member of the ITA-IS. For information on becoming a member of TESOL, please go to Join TESOL

3. Engage in professional development activities

There are several ways that you can develop professionally through our IS:

• Attend the annual TESOL International Association conference
  • Be sure to look for sessions that have the “ITA” label in your program book or program software. For more information, please go to TESOL | International Association.
• Webinars
  • The ITA-IS offers several webinars throughout the year. Stay connected through the non-TESOL listserv to know what’s coming.
• YouTube Channel
  • Recorded webinars are archived on our ITA-IS YouTube channel. Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6DGkSBSyGbz-ob6_TUQ1A
• Join a virtual ITA work group
  • These ad hoc groups are formed by members in the non-TESOL listserv. If you’re interested in joining or creating a group, feel free to post in the non-TESOL listserv to generate interest. Some members have made their ad hoc groups more formal by taking notes in a shared Google Document during their session and inviting speakers.
• Read the ITA-IS Newsletter
  • The ITA-IS Newsletter is published three times a year. The purpose of the ITA-IS Newsletter is to inform the membership about IS business and events relating to the TESOL convention. The newsletter also provides ESOL professionals with a forum for sharing teaching practices, research, and programmatic and administrative issues related to English language proficiency testing and the training of ITAs for instructional responsibilities in university classrooms.
  • The newsletter is sent out on the TESOL listserv and non-TESOL listserv. It can also be found in the ITAIS Community Interest Section in MyTESOL. The Newsletter Archives is expected to be available by the end of the year.
• Attend the ITA Professionals Symposium
  • ITA professionals gather to attend the annual symposium. Its location in the US varies year to year. Information about the symposium will be sent through the non-TESOL listserv.

4. Engage in networking opportunities.

• Attend the ITA-IS social networking dinner at the annual TESOL International Association convention
  • The dinner takes place directly after the ITA-IS business meeting. All ITA-IS members are welcome to join the meeting. You can also follow the non-TESOL list-serve for the location of the dinner.
• Attend the various professional development activities stated above
  • ITA-IS members love to share ideas and network between and during professional development activities. Some of the best networking happens between sessions.
• Post in the non-TESOL listserv
  • Members are very active and welcoming and are willing to help other members look for new job opportunities.
• Consider joining the ITA-IS leadership committee.
  • There are several leadership positions that new members specifically may want to consider joining. If you’re interested in any of these positions, please contact the ITA-IS Chair.

Secretary – 1 year

• Attend and take minutes for the ITA-IS annual business meeting
• Work with Chair and Chair-Elect in preparation for the following year’s responsibilities
• Work with Members-at-Large to plan webinars
• Work with Member-at-Large to plan Intersection session at TESOL International Association Conference

Members-at-Large (2 positions) – 1 year

• Plan ITA-IS dinner
• Plan ITA-IS Intersection
• Work with the Secretary to plan webinars

Newsletter Editors (2 positions) – 2 years (1^st year is an apprenticeship)

• Direct the publication of the ITA-IS newsletter.
• Liaison with editors of TESOL publications, affiliate newsletters, and other IS newsletters.