Welcome from the 2025 Executive Board!
Back to BlogWelcome from the 2025 President and Executive Board!
Welcome to the 2025 NYS TESOL Executive Board!
Dear Readers,
Warm greetings! I am thrilled to join the dedicated NYS TESOL Executive Board. As we embark on another exciting year of advocating for multilingual learners and supporting educators, we are thrilled to introduce the dedicated professionals leading NYS TESOL in 2024. Our executive board is composed of passionate individuals who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization. Each member is committed to fostering collaboration, professional development, and advocacy for English language learners and their educators across New York State. Above you will find a infographic detailing each person's role. You can find more information on the Executive Board Webpage of NYS TESOL.
Meet Our Esteemed Leaders:
Dr. Olga De Jesus, President
With over 25 years in education, Dr. De Jesus specializes in bilingual and special education, instructional technology, and teacher preparation. She is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at Marist College and a former Fulbright Scholar. Dr. De Jesus continues to drive NYS TESOL forward with her leadership and dedication.
Dr. Sandra Vargas-Ortega, President-Elect
A veteran language educator with experience in NYC and Puerto Rico, Dr. Vargas-Ortega holds a doctorate in Second Language Acquisition Research. She is an ENL educator, mentor, and adjunct professor, committed to advancing TESOL education through collaboration and research.
Shawnna Sweet, President
Shawnna serves as the Director of Multilingual Education for Greece Central School District. With a background in ENL teaching, higher education, and policy work, she is passionate about supporting multilingual learners and their families.
Nicole Bell, VP of Conference
An advocate for multilingual learners, Nicole is the Coordinator at Mid-West RBERN and has extensive experience in family engagement, bilingual education, and culturally responsive teaching. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in leadership for diverse learning communities.
Mary Sandoval, VP of Conference-Elect
With 17 years in education, Mary is an ENL Instructional Coach passionate about equitable and culturally responsive instruction. She is committed to fostering professional development and collaboration within the NYS TESOL community.
Sonal Patel, VP of Advocacy
An immigrant and multilingual educator, Sonal has served in K-12 and higher education settings. She is passionate about ELL advocacy and creating inclusive academic programs that empower multilingual students and families.
Katie Leven, VP of Communications
An ENL teacher with 19 years of experience, Katie is an award-winning educator and podcast host who shares her knowledge on language acquisition and literacy strategies with fellow educators.
Dr. Christine E. Seebach, VP of Finance
A former NYS TESOL President, Dr. Seebach brings 26 years of experience in K-12 and higher education, specializing in multilingualism, curriculum development, and teacher training.
Dr. Sam Song, VP of Membership
An Associate Professor at Nazareth University, Dr. Song is an expert in applied linguistics and TESOL education, with a strong background in international teacher training and conference organization.
Christian Perticone, VP of Outreach
A leader in ESL education, Christian directs the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island, CUNY. He is dedicated to innovative pedagogical practices and leadership development in TESOL.
The NYS TESOL is an excellent forum to collaborate and keep up to date with new research and best practices in the field of TESOL. If you would like to contribute to our blog, please reach out to me via email at: vpcommunications@nystesol.org.
If you are interested in joining one of the special interest groups (SIGs), CLICK HERE to provide your contact information to the SIG leaders. You can watch these videos from our SIG leaders to learn more about what each SIG does:
Applied Linguists SIG -----> CLICK HERE
Bilingual Education SIG ---> CLICK HERE
Anti-Racist Action SIG ----> CLICK HERE
Adult Education SIG ------> CLICK HERE
We look forward to working together to support the needs of multilingual learners and educators. Stay connected with NYS TESOL as we embark on a year filled with professional growth, advocacy, and collaboration!
In Solidarity!
— Katie Leven
VP Communications
P.S. Would you like to brighten your day? Explore Carly Spina’s updated blog post on the 2025 Puppy Bowl—an engaging language activity that is sure to bring joy to your students while fostering their language development.