Carolina TESOL is committed to advocating for English learners (ELs) throughout the Carolinas by informing educators of national, state, and local research, issues, and policies affecting ELs and advising its membership of advocacy resources and opportunities.
Pee Dee Representative Richard McCabe and SC Advocacy Coordinator Destiny Shannon met with Kaitlin Williams Senior Policy Advisor and Shaefer Cabaniss Legislative Aide to South Carolina US Senator Lindsey Graham's office to discuss continued funding and support for ML students in the FY 25 and FY 26.
From left, former NC Advocacy Coordinator Dr. Jon Smart and current NC Advocacy Coordinator Dr. Jen C. Mann met with North Carolina legislators to discuss how federal legislation affects higher education, as well as PK-12 Multilingual Learners across the United States.
Please click the icon at left to access our current Voter Voice Campaigns to facilitate the ease of communicating with your congressional representatives regarding bills and policies that affect the education of multilingual learners in our states.
From left: Revae Bostwick, Richard McCabe and Destiny Shannon meet in Alexandria/D.C. for a full-day workshop with congressional staffers, a former member of Office of English Language Acquisition, and experts in immigration law and adult/higher education.
TESOL International annually holds the Advocacy Action Days in Washington, D.C. for those interested in meeting with members of Congress (and/or their staff) to discuss educational needs.
Carolina TESOL sent three representatives, one for North Carolina and two for South Carolina. These educators met with TESOL International Advocacy Director Jeff Hutcheson, as well as other TESOL affiliate members to collaborate and learn about policymaking and progress.
The focus for Carolina TESOL during the Summit was to forge relationships with members of Congress who represent the two Carolinas. Being knowledgeable about the current legislation was important to engage the members of Congress and their staff in meaningful discussions. Both South Carolina and North Carolina members went to offices of US Senators and Representatives for meetings, as well as brought collateral to leave with the staff to later review our legislative priorities.
Local Advocacy Resources
Find your U.S. congressional representative
Advocacy and Leadership Resources from Colorin Colorado
SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center
Padlet of Resources from Spring 2020 Pandemic Town Hall Session
TESOL International Advocacy Links
Advocacy and Policy Summit Information
Voter Voice Action Center