2009 Annual Conference
New York State TESOL 39th Annual Conference
The 39th Annual Conference on November 13 and 14 in White Plains, New York was the destination spot for TESOLers from around the state. The conference offered educators a two-day stimulus package with a full array of speakers, concurrent sessions, and exhibitors.
Friday, November 13
On the first morning, NYS TESOLers from all regions filled the lobby to pick up their conference badges, register on-site, meet colleagues for the continental breakfast, or find seats in the big ballroom for the day’s first event before spreading out to attend any one of the 120 presentations over the next two days.
When New York State TESOL President Fran Olmos opened the conference, all tables and additional seating areas were full and latecomers were tucked into SRO spaces. Included in the president’s welcome message was a special tribute and remembrance of educators Darlene Larsen, Marcie Williams, and Roberta King with family members in attendance as special guests of NYS TESOL.
Following President Olmos was the first keynote speaker, Dr. Aida Walqui, whose address “Realizing Our Students’ Potential: The Road to Multiliteracies and Multilingualism,” re-set the bar for attendees to help students reach new heights.
Many gathered for the luncheon event to celebrate and honor NYS TESOL’s Lifetime Achievement recipient Estee Lopez, Outstanding Teacher, Barbara Suter, and Recognition Award recipients, Regent Saul Cohen and Dr. Walter Sullivan. Keynote speaker, Dr. Jason Irizarry shared his research, insights and hands-on experience in his speech, “Learning from Latino Youth: New Perspectives on Teaching and Teacher Education.”
In addition to the afternoon concurrent sessions, attendees browsed through new materials and resources from numerous exhibitors and visited the open NYS TESOL regional and board meetings.
Friday ended with an elegant evening reception where TESOLers could wind down and recap the day while enjoying the food, refreshments, music, and improv-style reading from Dominican Dream, American Reality by keynote, Dr. Jocelyn Santana.
Saturday, November 14
Day two started early with more attendees arriving and hurrying off to the new Teacher Education Special Interest Group Panel, poster presentations, or concurrent sessions.
A special ticketed lunch featured thanking Conference Chair, Nanette Dougherty, who worked tirelessly putting the conference together, and welcoming new NYS TESOL President, Connie Dziombak. Other thanks went to Assistant Conference Chair, Mackenzie Bristow and On-site Registration Chair, Dianne Matos-Craig (2010 Conference Chair).
The lunch closed with Dr. Gerald Campano’s inspiring account “This Is My Message to the World: Learning from Our Students’ Words and Experiences.”
Following lunch, attendees had a wide selection to choose from as they continued on their way to concurrent sessions, the Swap Shop to exchange lesson plans, exhibitor booths, or a planning meeting for next year’s conference in Albany.
As the conference came to a close many attendees lingered to talk about what they would be taking with them to share with colleagues who could not attend and with students who would benefit from their experiences at the NYS TESOL 39th Annual Conference.
