PennTESOL East

The Spring Symposium is this Saturday, May 30th at

If somehow our incredible plenary speaker and invited workshop presenters were not enough to tempt you to register yet, then let us tempt you with food. Catering for our brunch/networking hour will be pies and coffee from !

The event is free for members but advance registration is required:

www.penntesoleast.org/2026-Spring-Symposium

Invited Speaker Announcement!

“From Reflection to Action: Practical Reflective Teaching in ESOL” will be delivered by invited speakers Linlin Wang and Jessica Levy of The Welcoming Center.

“Identity Matters: Incorporating Students’ Culture in ELL Instruction” will be delivered by invited speakers Pauline Martin and Kassia Vedoveli da Silva of Reading Area Community College.

“Planning for Connection: Frameworks and Questions for Designing Student-centered Lessons” will be delivered by invited speaker Liz Szylejko of The School District of Philadelphia.

The Symposium will be held on May 30th, from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM at The Welcoming Center in Philadelphia.

Registration is free to members (membership is only $25!) but an RSVP is required:

penntesoleast.org/event-6596791

Happening TODAY at 5:00pm! Free & open to all. Details & link to join in flyer ⬇️

Join us next Monday 5/11 for an online “Ask Me Anything” open forum with immigration attorney Rachel Rutter! Details & link to join in flyer ⬇️ *No registration required*

Join us TOMORROW for a free seminar with K-12 ELD Specialist Megan Evangeliste of Pittsburgh Public Schools! Details & link to join in flyer ➡️

We are so pleased to announce that the plenary speaker at the 2026 PennTESOL Spring Symposium will be Dr. Roxanna Senyshyn of Pennsylvania State University, Abington. The Symposium will be held on May 30th, from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM at The Welcoming Center in Philadelphia.

Dr. Senyshyn will be introducing the event's theme: Adapting, Reflecting, Learning: Students at the Center. The plenary address will be followed by three 7-minute "lightning talks," each of which expands upon an aspect of the plenary theme. Following an hour of brunch and networking, courtesy of our presenting sponsor, Ellii, the three lightning speakers will each lead breakout workshops in which participants can further develop and contextualize the theme to different settings: K-12, higher education, and adult education.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and made our first advocacy potluck a success! This will be the first of many, so watch out for the next announcement!

A big thank you to for hosting us!

We are also pleased to announce a new initiative: PennTESOL Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year Award celebrates outstanding educators whose teaching, leadership, and advocacy reflect excellence in our field and in our professional community. The award is also a way to recognize and uplift the contributions of PennTESOL members.

Nominations are now open:

https://www.penntesoleast.org/PennTESOL-Teacher-of-the-Year

PennTESOL East is seeking a paid Administrative & Communications Fellow to support the association’s ongoing operations and events. This role focuses on administrative, clerical, and communications tasks that help the organization function smoothly throughout the year, including support for meetings, webinars, conferences, and member communications.

This position is ideal for TESOL graduate students interested in gaining hands-on experience with professional associations, nonprofit operations, and networking in the field.

Full details and application instructions here:

PennTESOL East - PennTESOL is Seeking a Paid Administrative Fellow