Carolina TESOL August 2025

We hope that whether you are winding down your summer or beginning work in your classrooms, offices, or other professional spaces, you feel rested and rejuvenated to continue the important work that you do every day! A new school year offers new chances to reimagine routines, refine our practice, and recommit to the multilingual learners and families we serve.

We know August can feel like a sprint, so consider this a gentle reminder that you are part of a community that understands the pace and the pressure. Over the coming months, Carolina TESOL will share professional learning opportunities, advocacy updates, and classroom-ready resources designed to lighten your load rather than add to it.

If you’re seeking connection, join one of our regional meet-ups to swap ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate small wins together. If you’re seeking voice, lend it to our policy and outreach efforts so that decisions about language education in the Carolinas include those who do the work every day. We also invite you to showcase your expertise by contributing to our newsletter or presenting at regional gatherings; your stories and strategies inspire others more than you may realize.

As you set up classrooms, craft syllabi, or plan district initiatives, remember that language growth and content mastery thrive in spaces where students feel seen, safe, and intellectually challenged. Let us know what you need—data points, talking points, or just a listening ear—so we can respond with timely support.

Please take a moment to renew your membership or invite a colleague to join; our collective strength depends on your participation. Thank you for the countless unseen acts of care you extend to students, colleagues, and communities. May this year bring you clarity of purpose, unexpected joy, and the reassurance that you are not doing this work alone. We can’t wait to learn, advocate, and grow alongside you—see you soon!

Sincerely,

The Executive Board of Carolina TESOL

Another important announcement is Jennifer Mann has stepped down from the role of North Carolina Advocacy Coordinator. We wish her well in her future endeavors.

Do you live in North Carolina and want to support educators in advocating for multilingual families? OR Do you know someone who lives in North Carolina who would be a good fit leading educators in advocacy? If you are interested in this role or know someone who may be interested, please email Revae Bostwick at president2024@carolinatesol.com to learn more about this role!

This year's theme, "Our Voices, Our Stories," speaks to the diversity of who we are in our lived and shared experiences.

• As colleagues, we have stories of what works well in the classroom and beyond for language acquisition.
  
• As advocates, we have stories of change and how we can advance our profession forward to better meet the needs of those we strive to serve.
  
• As a people, we have stories of grit, resilience, and hope that illuminate our paths into our futures.
  

Together, our resonance transcends inequities, and our counter narrative speaks truth! Come and let us communicate, collaborate, and celebrate Our Voices, Our Stories together.

Join us in Charlotte, NC during the week of November 5-7, 2025 for our annual Fall Conference! Registration can be completed through the Whova platform. Once registered, be sure to download the Whova app to get crucial updates and notifications as we get nearer to the conference!

The 2025 Carolina TESOL Fall Conference is coming to Charlotte, NC—and this year’s pre-conference workshop offers something especially valuable for educators of newcomers and students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE).

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Carol Salva, nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author of Boosting Achievement, to lead our pre-conference session. Her interactive workshop will explore high-impact practices that support literacy development, academic acceleration, and student confidence for multilingual learners—especially those entering school with gaps in formal education.

Participants in the pre-conference will receive:

• A copy of the Second Edition of Boosting Achievement

• Access to follow-up virtual sessions with Dr. Salva throughout the year

• Practical tools for building language-rich, trauma-informed, asset-based classrooms

• CEU/PD certificates (available for all sessions)

  
  

Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or ELD specialist, this session is designed to meet you where you are and connect you with a community of committed educators.

Register for the Pre-Conference before spaces fill up!

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Valeria Rodríguez, ESL teacher, poet, songwriter, and facilitator at Thornton Library (210 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565), for leading our Spring Event on May 17, 2025:

"Creative Writing and Identity Exploration with MLLs."

During this inspiring session, leaders and teachers from four counties came together to connect, share insights, and participate in hands-on activities featuring poetry, picture books, and microstories.

We are excited to announce that planning for our Fall Event is underway! This time, we are inviting more leaders, teachers, and education professionals to join us for an engaging discussion on Artificial Intelligence and its impact on multilingual learners in the classroom.

And of course, we’ll add a touch of fun with karaoke, snacks, and great networking opportunities!

Registration is now open!

This is the link to register: https://tinyurl.com/MiniConfREGISTRATION

This is the link to submit a proposal: https://tinyurl.com/MiniConfProposal

Throughout the summer, Carolina TESOL members in South Carolina engaged in a book study of Ron Daise’s Raptors in the Ricelands. In three virtual sessions, members discussed multilingual supports (e.g., culturally responsive teaching and cultural identity) as they traced the Gullah Geechee history woven through the narrative. Book study participants are invited to a final gathering on Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. to network and celebrate the end of the study! These participants should have received an email to RSVP. If you participated in the book study and did not receive the email, please contact John Spigner, SC Midlands Representative, at scmidlands@caroliantesol.com.

Join us for the second annual Low Country Books & Beach gathering on September 6 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. The location is the Port Royal Plantation Beach House at 45 S Port Royal Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. Expect networking, a focused conversation on serving SLIFE students, and a deep dive into Dr. Salva’s updated book. The text is Supporting SLIFE and Newcomers: From Grade Level Learning to Accelerated Learning and Literacy. If you can’t make the November conference and serve multilingual students in the Lowcountry, this one’s for you! We’re limiting the session to 25 seats. Preference will be for members not able to attend the Fall Conference. Don’t wait—reserve your place today.

Visit the conference website: https://arktesol.org/setesol-conference-2025.

Thank you to everyone for your advocacy efforts! As you may have heard, the FY25 federal education funds for this coming school year have been unfrozen! This includes:

• Title I-C for migrant student education
• Title II-A for professional development
• Title III-A for English learners and immigrant students
• Title IV-A for student support and academic enrichment

Your emails and phone calls make a difference! Thank you for partnering with us in advocating for ML students and families.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 23-3-82 SO AS TO CREATE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INFORMATION REWARD FUND TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO PROVIDE A FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR REWARD TO EACH RESIDENT OF THIS STATE THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION TO SLED'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT UNIT THAT LEADS TO THE APPREHENSION AND DEPORTATION OF AN ILLEGAL ALIEN IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-18-130 SO AS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS FOUND TO BE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE ENTITLED TO TAKE CERTAIN ASSESSMENTS IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE AND MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS ASSESSMENTS OTHERWISE REQUIRED UNDER THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 1-1-698, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE.

Are you interested in becoming more involved with advocacy this upcoming school year?

Think about joining the Carolina TESOL Advocacy Committee! Fill out this Google Form to start your advocacy journey with us.

To Stay Informed on the Latest Advocacy Issues: Sign up for Voter Voice alerts, which also allows you to search for legislation and contact your legislators. https://sites.google.com/carolinatesol.com/home/resources/advocacy/voter-voice

Also, check out our Social Media for Advocacy Wednesdays, where you will find ways that you can advocate and become involved.

Instagram: @mycarolinatesol

Facebook: Carolina TESOL Facebook Group

TESOL International has provided some links containing data on the potential loss of funding for public schools if federal funding were to be cut in FY2026 as proposed by President Trump. Take a look at the data for your specific state and then reach out to your senators and representatives to let them know how you feel about the potential lack of funding.

Are you a relatively new teacher of Multilingual Learners (MLs)? Do you want to learn strategies to support the MLs in your class, building or district? OR Do you know a new teacher of ML students and want to help provide them an opportunity to attend professional development?

We are awarding a scholarships to cover the Carolina TESOL Conference fee ($325 value) for new teachers of MLs! Complete this application form: https://forms.gle/zgW6ynL5CFVXc7j17 by August 15, 2025!

Requirements:

• You must be a new (1-5 years) teacher of multilingual learners (K-12 content, ML specialist, ESL/ENL/ML teacher).

• You must be a member of Carolina TESOL.

• Due date is August 15, 2025

Veteran teachers, please share this opportunity with new teachers! Remind them, they must join Carolina TESOL to receive the scholarship ($15 annual membership fee). Prospective members can join our membership in the portal located at this link.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this application, please contact Alison Turner at secretary@CarolinaTESOL.com

The Teacher of the Year must currently be employed teaching English to multilingual learners in a NC or SC Institution. This includes K-12 classrooms, community colleges, and universities. Applicants must be Carolina TESOL members in good standing for their applications to be considered and must maintain their membership through the following year.

The Teacher of the Year cannot have received ANY awards or grants from Carolina TESOL (including Carolina Canvas Awards) in the past 2 years AND cannot have EVER received the Teacher of the Year award from Carolina TESOL.

The Teacher of the Year must have at least three years’ experience teaching English to multilingual learners which can include teaching experiences outside of NC and SC.

Please fill out the nominations form here. Applications close August 31, 2025

Do you know anyone deserving of the Carolina Distinguished Service Award? This award is given to a person who is being honored for service other than teaching or research. Please complete the nomination form to submit the name of a deserving person.

Are you looking to get more involved in Carolina TESOL, or know someone who would be a good fit? We are looking for nominations for the following Executive Board positions that will open in October of this year.

• President-Elect
• Secretary
• Eastern NC Representative
• Piedmont NC Representative
• Midlands SC Representative
• Low Country SC Representative
  

Please take a look at the nomination form that includes job descriptions for the open offices.

Separately, if you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee that will help review applications and verify the election results, please contact president2024@carolinatesol.com.