The Outstanding Advocate Honor is presented by TESOL International Association at its annual convention to individuals who have advocated for, and on behalf of, the ESL/EFL profession and English language learners. Each year the host affiliate for the convention has an opportunity to nominate an individual for recognition.
2018 TESOL Outstanding Advocate: Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro
As the Manager of Education Policy and Research with the
Latino Policy Institute in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro has ventured to advocate for all Latino and English learners to have access to high quality care and education services that are linguistically and culturally responsive in an effort to close the opportunity gap. She leads efforts in family and community engagement and capacity building; equitable access and resource distribution; and pre-and in-service educator preparation.
Rebecca also provides immigrant parent workshops to discuss how various policy changes influence the education of English Learners. Most recently, as a state-appointed member of the Illinois Advisory Council on Bilingual Education, Rebecca led efforts to advise the state on how English Learners are considered within the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Past Recipients
Year |
Outstanding Advocate |
Nominated by |
2017 |
Gil Mendoza |
WAESOL |
2016 |
Gustavo Torres |
Maryland TESOL |
2015
|
Premiere Kathleen Wynne |
TESL Ontario |
2014 |
David Bautista |
Oregon TESOL |
2013 |
Rep. Roberto Alonzo |
TexTESOL V |
2012 |
Len Reiser, Esq |
PennTESOL-Eastby Intermountain TESOL |
2011 |
David A. M. Ware, Esq. |
LaTESOL |
2010 |
State Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez |
MATSOL |
2009 |
Rep. Jared Polis |
COTESOL |
2008 |
Rep. Tim Bishop |
NYS TESOL |
2007 |
Sen. Maria Cantwell |
WAESOL |
2006 |
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz |
Sunshine State TESOL |
2005 |
Gilette Irby |
TexTESOL IV |
2004 |
Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg |
CATESOL |
2003 |
Dr. Alvin Thornton |
Maryland TESOL |
2002 |
State Senator Pete Suazo |
Intermountain TESOL |
2001 |
Governor Tom Vilsak |
Mid-America TESOL |
2000 |
Dr. David Lam |
B.C. TEAL |
1999 |
Assemblyman Ed Sullivan |
NYS TESOL |
Outstanding Global Advocate Honor
From 2002-2010, a separate award recognized individuals from outside the United States who advocated for, and on behalf of, the ESL/EFL profession. Past honorees have included:
Year |
Honoree |
Nominated by |
2002 |
Dr. Victor Galindo Sanchez |
Mexico TESOL |
2003 |
Raffaele Sanzo |
TESOL Italy |
2004 |
Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan |
TESOL ARABIA |
2005 |
Dr. Vladimir Kurilov |
FEELTA (Russia) |
2006 |
Sergio Bitar |
TESOL Chile |
2007 |
Léon-Charles Ciss |
ATES (Senegal) |
2008 |
Dr. K. Lakshminarayana |
FORTELL (India) |
2009 |
Goran Andonovski & Zarko Hristovski |
ELTAM (Macedonia) |
2010 |
Minister Lucy Molinar |
Panama TESOL |
Questions?
Questions can be directed to:
John Segota, CAE
Associate Executive Director for Public Policy & Professional Relations