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Evangel English prof honored for service to MIDTESOL

Published on Oct 25, 2017 by Paul K. Logsdon

Jennifer Morrison, assistant professor of English at Evangel University, received the Distinguished Service Award from Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MIDTESOL) on Sept. 30, 2017, at the organization’s annual conference in Kansas City.

MIDTESOL is a professional teaching organization that supports English language teachers in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. There are currently 600 members. Morrison has coordinated Evangel’s TESOL program since 2011.

The award is a peer-nominated one that “honors an individual’s dedication to and leadership in MIDTESOL.”

Morrison served on the MIDTESOL board from 2005-2015. During that time, her responsibilities expanded with her successes, which included taking the organization’s newsletter from paper to digital format, and leading the creation of MIDTESOL’s first-ever peer-reviewed journal, The Conference Proceedings of MIDTESOL.

When she left the board in 2015 as communications director, she was overseeing several sub-committees, including membership, social media and publications.

“The true honor is having been able to serve with such exceptional people throughout the years,” said Morrison upon being honored with the award.

2017-10.24 MIDTESOL, Morrison annual report
Announcement from MIDTESOL’s 2017 Annual Report. // (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

 

About MIDTESOL

The mission of Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages is to strengthen the effective teaching of English in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, to people whose native language is a language other than English while respecting their individual language rights.

As a regional affiliate of TESOL and a professional organization, MIDTESOL:

  • supports those involved with English language teaching, teacher education, administration and management, curriculum and materials design, and research;
  • provides leadership and direction through the dissemination and exchange of information and resources; and
  • encourages access to the standards for English language instruction, professional preparation and employment.

TESOL at Evangel

“We have two tracks for students at this point,” said Morrison. “The first is a 14-hour TEFL certificate, which is the minimal preparation for students who might be thinking about going overseas to teach English.

“For those who want to take more hours of preparation, and for future U.S. public school teachers, there is a 21-hour minor. This course of study allows education majors to also receive the ESOL endorsement to teach public schools,” added Morrison. “But the minor is open to all majors — anyone who might be interested in teaching English overseas.”

A native or Spavinaw, Okla., Morrison joined the Evangel faculty in 2011. Prior to that, she taught at Missouri State University, Central Bible College and in the Springfield Public School system.

For more information, contact the Evangel University Humanities Department at (417) 865-2811, ext. 8640.

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