Vance Stevens Educational Technology Mentoring Award

ELT professionals* who are:

• current TESOL members and
• interested in becoming more involved in the work of TESOL International Association’s CALL-IS or the EVO and improving their educational technology and leadership skills with the support of a mentor.

*Preference will be given to applicants from underrepresented groups and/or who are working in areas underresourced in educational technology. Current EVO coordinators and CALL-IS leadership are ineligible to apply.

The award recipient will receive the following:

• Free 1-year TESOL membership
• Up to US$350 to apply toward a project of professional development and leadership in TELL
• A mentoring relationship with a CALL-IS or EVO leader.

The awardee will develop and implement a TELL project with the help of a mentor from the CALL-IS or EVO. Before the funds can be dispersed, a project proposal containing the following information must be submitted to TESOL for approval:

• The project goal and expected outcome in the form of deliverables as determined by the awardee
• A timeline for completion of the project

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Active involvement in (e.g., an affiliate of TESOL International Association, the EVO, IATEFL’s Learning Technologies Special Interest Group)
• Service to the TESOL profession
• Feasibility of the proposed project idea in terms of budget and qualifications of the applicant
• Quality of the written proposal (i.e., clarity, organization, project design, and specification of expected outcomes)

For more details, please see the Evaluation Rubric.  

To complete the online application process, you will need to supply the following information:

Please explain what makes you a good candidate to apply for this award; discuss your current and potential future involvement and leadership in TESOL International Association’s CALL-IS, EVO, and/or other TELL group. (250 words max)

Describe the proposed TELL project and how you plan to implement it. Discuss specific expected outcomes. Explain how the funds will be used. (300 words max)

Examples of possible project ideas might include one or more (or a combination) of the following:

• Proposing an EVO session and forming a team to run it
• Participating in the Virtual TESOL Convention, producing a summary of lessons learned using multimedia, and describing how such lessons can be applied to your own teaching context
• Compiling and critically reviewing two to three tools (apps or software, AI) for English language learning or teaching (e.g., Pi AI, Twee AI, ChatGPT for ELT, D-ID, Quizlet, Quizizz, Nearpod, Edpuzzle, Voki, or Kahoot for a specific learning objective)
• Creating a multimedia report using technology hardware for TELL in innovative ways (e.g., AR/VR headsets, or other equipment for learning and/or teaching)

List the following information:

• Employment history
• Postsecondary education history
• Organizational experience, such as involvement in an affiliate of the TESOL International Association, EVO, IATEFL’s LTSIG, or other
• Relevant awards and honors