ISSN #2331-6845 

 
From the President of Georgia TESOL 

By Francisco J. (Harvey) Oaxaca 
Oaxaca@fultonschools.org 

 
BEING LEARNING LEADERS 
As language professionals, we understand the need for ongoing professional development.  In 
fact, in the GATESOL mission/purpose statement we indicate that providing opportunities for 
ongoing study and research along with encouraging professional development, participation, 
and leadership within Georgia is something that we will do as an organization.    
 
Since 1981, Georgia TESOL has been here working to provide what some would call a vital 
piece in the ongoing development of educators stating that “when educators learn, students 
learn more” (Mizell, 19).  Even though our organization has grown and changed since its 
inception, our belief in our standard mission is still the same.  One area in which we are 
dedicated is ensuring that our Annual Conference has quality presentations and speakers.  
Each year our Conference team dedicates countless hours to developing a conference that will 
meet the needs of the various groups within GATESOL.  Additionally, we have begun to fund 
smaller learning opportunities for specific groups throughout the year.  This past spring the IEP 
interest section held their 2nd Annual Mini-Conference, our Adult Education interest section held 
their first ‘hands-on’ workshop, and this summer, Regions 8, 9, &12 held their first regional 
meeting.   
 
We aim to connect to our members throughout the year through our newsletters, online forums, 
Facebook, Twitter (@GA_TESOL), and resources found on our website.  As our world becomes 
more virtual, it is imperative that we as an organization move forward as well.   It is exciting to 
see GATESOL in Action moving to an online journal.  This is our organization’s cornerstone 
publication providing articles from current practitioners in the field with ongoing information 
about new research and current language learning practices.    
 
In order for language educators to remain at the “top of our game”, we must be learning leaders 
and this happens in part through ongoing professional development.  Leaders and educators 
who desire to research, study, learn, and apply new knowledge to better equip our students for 
the language demands they will face.  With this new online journal, GATESOL continues to be a 
learning leader as an organization.  Connect with GATESOL and help ensure that we will be 
able to provide professional development in its various forms for our members for years to 
come. 
 
Mizell, Hayes.  Why professional development matters. Oxford, OH: Learning Forward.  2010.  
www.learningforward.org     

1                                                                   GATESOL in Action, Vol. 1, Spring 2014 

mailto:Oaxaca@fultonschools.org
http://www.learningforward.org/