COLLEGE PARK, MD (February, 2013) Maryland Teacher and COE alumna Ann Marie Foester Luu, was named the first recipient of the TESOL Teacher of the Year Award from the TESOL International Association and National Geographic Learning. The award was created to honor exceptional English language teachers at all levels.
Mrs. Foester Luu has been a Pre–K–12 English teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools for the past 13 years after starting her career in higher education administration. She received her Med in TESOL from the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership (formerly Curriculum and Instruction).
Speaking about her role as the only full-time teacher of English to speakers of other languages at her elementary school, Mrs. Foester Luu says, “It’s important to help teachers see commonalities, but then see individual students at the same time so that they can broaden their experiences with ESPL students no single handout is going to work; no single conversation is going to work. ESOL teachers really need to keep their doors open and to see themselves as someone who is advocating for their students”.
National Geographic Learning will present the award to Foerster Luu at the 2013 TESOL International Convention & English Language Expo, where she will deliver a presentation titled “TESOL Teacher of the Year: Best Practices in ELT Excellence.”
About TESOL International Association
Founded in 1966, TESOL International Association is a professional community of educators, researchers, administrators, and students committed to advancing excellence in English language teaching for speakers of other languages worldwide. Through professional development programs, its international conference, special interest groups, and publications, TESOL engages tens of thousands of professionals to collaborate globally and create a world of opportunity for millions of people of all ages who want to learn English. For more information, please visit www.tesol.org.
About Cengage Learning and National Geographic Learning
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, software and services company for academic, professional and library markets worldwide. National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage Learning, is a provider of quality core and supplemental educational materials for the PreK–12, higher education and adult education markets. For more information, please visit www.cengage.com.
Adapted from TESOL International Association press release.
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