About ATESOLNSW
50 years of helping
We are a community of educators, dedicated to helping improve the educational outcomes for learners of English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) and promoting multilingualism. We proudly support all learners including our first nations people who speak a traditional language or dialect, students from refugee backgrounds, and recent migrants.
ATESOL NSW Inc. is a non-profit professional association for teachers that was formed in 1971, as ATEFL. It assumed its current name in March 2002. ATESOL NSW is an affiliate of the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA), which is the peak body for all state and territory TESOL associations in Australia.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote the development of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) expertise of specialist and class teachers in order to improve educational outcomes for learners of English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D), including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who speak traditional Indigenous languages, creoles and varieties of Aboriginal English.
Membership of ATESOL NSW, means joining a community of teachers who believe deeply that what we do is more than just a job, we are passionate about helping learners discover their interests, strengths and realise their personal potential.
Our Council
As a non-profit association, we rely on the generosity, passion and volunteer time of a core group of professionals. We love welcoming new members to our Council, to bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm and to share the effort required to keep ATESOL strong. Our current Council members are:
Executive Committee
President
Cindy Valdez
(atesolnswpresident@gmail.com)
Vice President
Margaret Turnbull
Treasurer
Mark Fraser
Secretary & Registrar
Luke Nolan
Other Council Roles
ACTA Councillors
Cindy Valdez
Margaret Turnbull
Michael Michell
MEAG Representative
Michael Michell
Ethnic Affairs Representative
Vi Nguyen
Newsletter Editors
Glenice Aiken,
Marina Pearce
Public Officer Margaret Turnbull
Secondary EAL/D Matters
Margaret Wajs
Professional Learning Coordinator
Kathy Rushton
Social Media & Website
Vi Nguyen,
Nathan Jeffrey
Cindy Valdez
Other Councillors
Robyn Johnson
Bess Wassman
Gillian Pennington
Melanie Davies
Jonelle Uptin
Gabrielle Weiss
Council Meetings
7 March, 4 April, 2 May, 6 June, 1 Aug, 5 Sept, 14 Nov AGM @7pm + Council Meeting to follow afterwards.
Our meetings are via Zoom @7pm on Tuesday nights. If you are a financial member and would like to attend our next meeting or add items on the Agenda, please email: atesolnswinc@gmail.com
Ambassadors
Oliver Phommavanh
Oliver is a teacher, author of children's books and a stand-up comedian. He grew up in a household where English was not their first language, having gone on to become an educator with deep empathy and having a unique talent to use humour to cut through and communicate with people.
Watch Oliver here as he calls teachers to join “the movement” of educators striving to support multilingual students.
Visit his website to find out more!
Irena Kobald
Irena is the author of children's books and an artist. Born in a mountain village in Austria with a Masters in Russian, Irena learned English through her own informal education. Did you know she has completed her TESOL qualifications at the University of Southern Queensland? Her first book, My Two Blankets, covers themes including cultural diversity, integration and social issues. It also talks of family, friendship and feelings, bringing together not only the broader context of inclusion but the rich conversations around how we connect as individuals.
Visit her website to find out more!
Oliver Phommavanh
Oliver is a teacher, author of children's books and a stand-up comedian. He grew up in a household where English was not their first language, having gone on to become an educator with deep empathy and having a unique talent to use humour to cut through and communicate with people.
Watch Oliver here as he calls teachers to join “the movement” of educators striving to support multilingual students.
Visit his website to find out more!
Irena Kobald
Irena is the author of children's books and an artist. Born in a mountain village in Austria with a Masters in Russian, Irena learned English through her own informal education. Did you know she has completed her TESOL qualifications at the University of Southern Queensland? Her first book, My Two Blankets, covers themes including cultural diversity, integration and social issues. It also talks of family, friendship and feelings, bringing together not only the broader context of inclusion but the rich conversations around how we connect as individuals.
Visit her website to find out more!