The board of directors leads the development of TESOL’s vision and mission and oversees the strategic direction of the association.
The board of directors is elected by TESOL members. Each individual serves a 3-year term on the board. The TESOL president serves 1 year as president-elect, 1 year as president, and 1 year as past president.
Executive Committee

Justin Shewell
President
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona, USA
Term: 2024–2027

Okon Effiong
President-Elect
Qatar University
Doha, Qatar
Term: 2025–2028

Debra Suarez
Past President
Uplifting Teachers
Washington, D.C., USA
Term: 2023–2026

Danielle Staudt
Executive Director
TESOL Staff Office
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Board of Directors

Misty Adoniou
University of Canberra
Canberra, Australia
Term: 2024–2027

Kisha Bryan Jordan
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Term: 2023–2026

Drew Fagan
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, Maryland, USA
Term: 2025–2028

Larisa Olesova
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, USA
Term: 2024–2027

James Papple
Centennial College
Ontario, Canada
Term: 2025–2028

Araceli Salas
Benemérita Unversidad Autónoma de Puebla
Puebla, Mexico
Term: 2024–2027

Jorge Torres Almazán
The American School of Tampico
Tampico, Mexico
Term: 2025–2028

Cynthia Wiseman
Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York (CUNY)
New York, New York, USA
Term: 2023–2026
Current Initiatives and Projects
TESOL is currently undertaking the following special projects or initiatives, click on each to learn more.
- Launching a new professional council focused on justice and equity issues in the field.
- Examining TESOL's membership structure, pricing, and offerings.