Letter From the Chair

Karen Asenavage, [email protected]

Welcome to TESOL conference season. We hope to see many of you in Tampa! This has been an exciting year for CETC. We set goals earlier in the year and I am pleased to say that together we have met and exceeded most of these goals. Here is what we all have accomplished in this past year.

Goals for CETC 2005-06
 

1.      Use the communications tools available to us to their fullest to help you communicate and keep you informed.

All tools have been used. Two newsletters have been produced. The e-list is very active; the Web site is updated and expanded.

2.      Increase in the number of members on the e-lists from 155 to 200 by the conference.

The e-list membership increased from 155 to over 600 members. Although this increase occurred as a result of an administrative glitch, most members are still on the e-list and it is extremely active with almost daily postings from around the world. This high level of activity is due to the monthly topic format and effective management by Gena Bennett and Andy Bowdler.

3.      To collaborate with the other caucuses.

• Eleanor Pease will represent us on the All-Caucus Colloquium.

 All Caucus Colloquium: Caucus Strategies for Leading TESOL Internationally

 Wednesday, 15th March: 9:30-11:15 a.m.

 Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel/Grand Salon A

• We can all also collaborate at the All Caucus Social Event

Thursday, 16th March: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel/Grand Salon C

Nibbles and conversation help you get to know others in the caucuses.

• Mary Wong became the first CETC member elected to the Caucus Leadership Committee, for a 3-year term (2006-09).

4.      To respond to your comments from TESOL San Antonio.

Your responses and feedback helped to give us direction for the All Caucus topic and CETC Colloquia as well as e-list topics and the CELT conference held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

5.      To increase the number of international connections among CETC’ers.

CETC members were members of the organizing committee of the Christian Educators in TESOL Conference at Payap University in Chiang Mai, January 23-25, 2006. Many CETC’ers, most of whom work in overseas settings, attended. TESOL as an organization and the CETC caucus were presented as vital professional development organizations and membership was encouraged.

6.      To enlarge the slate of candidates for CETC positions in TESOL.

We prepared for e-elections but it was difficult to identify those who could take on CETC leadership for the 3 years required. CETC will continue its search for leaders who can continue the active functioning of the caucus. Special thanks to those who have faithfully served and have committed for the future: Eleanor Pease, chair; Gena Bennett, e-list manager and chair-elect; Mary Wong, past chair; Andy Bowdler, newsletter editor; Frank Tuzi, webmaster, and all those past chairs who remain available as resources. We will continue to develop a base of leaders and pray that you consider future leadership positions. CETC currently needs a newsletter editor to replace Andy who is unable to continue this role.

7.       To actively participate in TESOL and other professional forums in ways which identify us as Christians of integrity and professionalism.

• The CELT Conference in Chiang Mai was an extremely professional endeavor led by Brad Baurain. It provided a venue for CELTs to consider aspects of professionalism and integrity. Suggestions for future scholarly research as well as valuable international networking to implement this research emerged. Proceedings may be published.
• The CETC Colloquium, to be held March 16 from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel/Room 9 with Tom Scovel, Jeff Stebbins, Rich Robison, Darla Cuppery, and Karen Asenavage, will address the topic of “Professional Integrity and the Christian ELT Leader.”
• Mary Wong, with coeditor Suresh Canagarajah, is forging ahead with the book Christianity and ELT: Political, Pedagogical and Professional Tensions.

 And we hope to revise the CETC Handbook developed by Nancy Zumwalt, past chair, in 2002.

All in all, this has been a very active and professionally enriching year for me. I have been honored to serve as the CETC chair, to stand and to work with committed Christians and professionals the world over. It is this word stand that I’d like to focus upon.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16 (New International Version)

 

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (New International Version)

Throughout the Bible, men stood before kings and dignitaries, they stood in battle, and they stood for their beliefs and against evil and for each other. As Christians we must stand together as Christian English language professionals in a position of strength. I welcome the new CETC leadership and pray that in the months and years ahead as we teach and work and serve that we stand for the hope that is within us: Jesus Christ, the only cause that matters.
 

Blessings in Jesus’ name,

Karen