Committees
Our volunteer, member-run committees are the driving workforce behind many of our events and services. Without our committees, the visions and goals set at the Board level would never become a reality.
Each committee is made up of individuals with varied backgrounds and experience, from different teaching sectors and affiliates chapters. Each committee is composed of a chairperson and one or more members. The number of committee members is dependent on the type of planning and work the committee does. The scope and nature of the committee’s work determine the membership composition of the committee. Each committee member commits to a 2-3 year term with a possibility of renewal for another 2-3 year term. Committee members must be able to commit to attending scheduled virtual meetings on a regular basis as arranged by the committee. The dates and times of all committee meetings are determined by committee members’ availability.
TESL Ontario committees are typically working committees. Members are tasked with committee assignments and are asked to contribute knowledge and expertise to committee discussions. Committee members should have an adequate level of comfort with technology to collaborate in a virtual setting.
Committees and their Terms of Reference
Accreditation Standards Committee
Mandate
To support TESL Ontario in establishing and advancing accreditation standards, and provide consultation on accreditation-related initiatives and issues.
Committee Members
- Karen Evans, Chair
- Narjis Ahmed
- Sven Greve
- Kay Ham
- Allison Keown
- Reza Mazloom-Farzaghy
- Joan Reynolds
- Milka Stupar
- Antonella Valeo
- David Wood
Colleges & Universities Committee
Mandate
To develop leadership for professional development and practice among English language and TESOL educators working in both the college and university sectors.
Committee Members
- James Papple, Chair
- Shaun Dass
- Danielle Freitas
- Alex Harchenko
- William (Bill) Hodges
- Allison Keown
- Parisa Nafissi Rad
- Ivan Su
Conference Committee
Mandate
- To plan and organize a multi-day, multi-faceted educational conference experience for individuals involved in the English Language training and adult ESL fields in Ontario.
- To represent the education and training needs of the TESL community in the design and development of TESL Ontario’s annual conference.
Committee Members
- Tayebeh Shalmani, Chair
- Derya Bozdogan
- Paramita Dutta
- Carol Essenburg
- Rachel Fourny
- Dave Fraser
- Kevin Gamble
- Allison Keown
- Reza Mazloom-Farzaghy
- James Papple
- Linda Ward
- Helen Wu
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Mandate
- To support the TESL Ontario community in all facets to establish and maintain guiding principles that reflect our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
- To educate, inform and raise awareness about best practices on issues affecting equity-seeking groups
- To provide consultation and guidance for concerns or complaints related to racism and DEI
Committee Members
- Rebecca Schmor, Chair
- Nisa Akdemir Genc
- Suma Balagopal
- Dave Fraser
- Allison Keown
- Emel Ortac
- Hannah Pyo
Research Advisory Committee
Mandate
The mandate of the Research Advisory Committee is to support and encourage research and scholarship at all levels of the TESL Ontario association and community of practice, within a broad framework of theoretical and methodological diversity and inclusive, equitable and ethical research practice.
Specifically, the committee will:
- Provide input and direction to assist the association with identifying areas of focus for meaningful research activities;
- Offer recommendations for research projects and provide direction to ensure desired results;
- Help identify funding opportunities;
- Support mobilization and synthesis of insights and implications from empirical research and scholarship in Canada and beyond;
- Cultivate and strengthen research-practice partnerships, networks and professional relationships.
Committee Members
- Saskia Van Viegen, Chair
- Le Chen
- Violetta Cupial
- Farahnaz Faez
- Allison Keown
- Maria Merecoulias
- Mitra Rabiee
- Antonella Valeo
Serve on a TESL Ontario Committee
Members who would like to express their interest in volunteering for a TESL Ontario working committee are encouraged to submit the “Expression of Interest in Joining a TESL Ontario Committee” form.
Please note that different committees may have different application processes and requirements.
