Blog: Interview with Nikki Bell, 2026 President-Elect of NYS TESOL
Back to BlogBlog: Interview with Nikki Bell, 2026 President-Elect of NYS TESOL
01/17/2026
Get to know NYS TESOL’s 2026 President-Elect, Nikki Bell! In this interview, Nikki opens up about her professional journey, her passion for collaboration, and her goals for supporting educators and multilingual learners across New York State. Whether you're a longtime member or newly joining us, this conversation offers a meaningful look at the purpose and heart behind her leadership.
KATIE:
Today I’m sitting down with our 2026 President-Elect of NYS TESOL, Nikki Bell! We have gotten to know each other through NYS TESOL’s Annual Conferences (by magically sitting next to each other!) and I’m thrilled to have this chance to learn even more about her journey and her motivations for stepping into this leadership role. Thank you for joining me today as we dive deeper into your work and aspirations as the 2026 President-Elect and 2027 President of NYS TESOL.
NIKKI:
Thanks, Katie! Happy New Year!
KATIE:
Yes, Happy New Year! So, what inspired you to join NYS TESOL and eventually step into a leadership role?
NIKKI:
When I was in grad school, one of my professors required that we become members of NYS TESOL. I attended my first conference in 2013 and I have been hooked ever since. At one point, I was reading the Monday Memo and saw the call for a Student Projects Coordinator and loved the people that I got to work with on the Executive Board. Forming professional relationships with people who are as passionate as you are about learning and multilingualism was and continues to be the biggest draw. Once you get involved, there is always a committee or a volunteer role to fill and it’s great to be a part of such a great team and organization. I think the best part is that there are both big ways and smaller more manageable ways to be involved and each role is integral.
KATIE:
I completely agree—many hands really do make light work. And speaking of teamwork, congratulations on the incredible accomplishment of chairing the most recent NYS TESOL Annual Conference. As you transition into the president-elect role, I’m curious: what do you hope to achieve during your presidency, both in the short term and the long term?
NIKKI:
I haven’t had a lot of time to think about this-I am still coming off the high of the success of our amazing 2025 conference planning team. Short term-I would love to connect with members and prospective members to network and grow our membership to its full potential. Long term-The teacher shortage in TESOL and Bilingual is challenging. I hope to connect with Universities and Colleges to ensure that up and coming TESOL & bilingual students know that they have a supportive NYS TESOL network to lean on.
KATIE:
That’s a wonderful ambition. I firmly believe that working together truly lightens the load for all of us, and building well-developed professional networks is a key step in that direction. I also love your long-term goal. I try to contribute by increasing awareness of the CRITI Grants from NYSED, which help educators gain certification in ESOL or Bilingual instruction. (More information can be found at the NYSED website.)
How do you think NYS TESOL can support teachers and multilingual learners as we move toward that vision?
NIKKI:
NYS TESOL is an organization that helps to build the passion and capacity of its members. Sometimes TESOL educators are the lone-wolves in their contexts. For them, gathering with other NYS TESOL members can be a reminder that they have a supportive network and people to call on. NYS TESOL can also be a way to invigorate your teaching. I’m a lifelong learner, so I am always excited to learn from my colleagues at workshops and conferences. It’s kind of refreshing.
KATIE:
I agree wholeheartedly. It’s incredibly reassuring to know whom to reach out to when you have a question or a situation you’ve never encountered before.
So, how do you believe NYS TESOL should advocate for multilingual learners statewide?
NIKKI:
NYS TESOL can be the collective voice of advocacy for multilingual learners. We are navigating hard times right now. A lot of tears have been shed and hearts have been broken. Standing together and making everyone know that we will advocate for what is right is the glue that is holding some of us together.
KATIE:
What an incredible world it would be if more people centered others’ needs and truly acted with students’ best interests at heart. One powerful way to do this is through collaboration. How do you see collaboration—within NYS TESOL and across the field—supporting the success of English learners?
NIKKI:
When we collaborate, we can have a strong shared vision and message that aligns our collective expertise, resources, and goals. It helps to break down silos and gives a sense of collective responsibility for celebrating our students academically and linguistically.
KATIE:
I love that statement, Nikki. That’s what asset-based education is: recognizing, appreciating and celebrating what students can do! I would love to see that continue to expand across education!
One final question for you today: what leadership values guide how you work with the executive board and our members?
NIKKI:
Accountability and Adaptability centered around clear communication. Great leadership honors diverse perspectives, but also has a clear alignment to the collective vision. Essentially, everything ultimately comes down to the students-We thrive so our students can thrive.
KATIE:
Wow—what a powerful reminder for our readers. Thank you so much, Nikki, for sharing your heart, your experiences, and your vision with us today. Your commitment to multilingual learners and to the educators who serve them shines through every answer. We’re deeply grateful for your leadership and excited to see how your presidency will continue to strengthen and uplift our NYS TESOL community.
To all our members—and those considering joining us—I encourage you to connect with Nikki at our upcoming virtual events and at our Annual Conference on Long Island this November. These gatherings are wonderful opportunities to get to know her and other NYS TESOL members, share your own experiences, and become part of the collaborative network that makes this organization so special.
Thank you again, Nikki, and thank you to our readers for joining us. Here’s to a year filled with learning, connection, and advocacy.
Get to know NYS TESOL’s 2026 President-Elect, Nikki Bell! In this interview, Nikki opens up about her professional journey, her passion for collaboration, and her goals for supporting educators and multilingual learners across New York State. Whether you're a longtime member or newly joining us, this conversation offers a meaningful look at the purpose and heart behind her leadership.
KATIE:
Today I’m sitting down with our 2026 President-Elect of NYS TESOL, Nikki Bell! We have gotten to know each other through NYS TESOL’s Annual Conferences (by magically sitting next to each other!) and I’m thrilled to have this chance to learn even more about her journey and her motivations for stepping into this leadership role. Thank you for joining me today as we dive deeper into your work and aspirations as the 2026 President-Elect and 2027 President of NYS TESOL.
NIKKI:
Thanks, Katie! Happy New Year!
KATIE:
Yes, Happy New Year! So, what inspired you to join NYS TESOL and eventually step into a leadership role?
NIKKI:
When I was in grad school, one of my professors required that we become members of NYS TESOL. I attended my first conference in 2013 and I have been hooked ever since. At one point, I was reading the Monday Memo and saw the call for a Student Projects Coordinator and loved the people that I got to work with on the Executive Board. Forming professional relationships with people who are as passionate as you are about learning and multilingualism was and continues to be the biggest draw. Once you get involved, there is always a committee or a volunteer role to fill and it’s great to be a part of such a great team and organization. I think the best part is that there are both big ways and smaller more manageable ways to be involved and each role is integral.
KATIE:
I completely agree—many hands really do make light work. And speaking of teamwork, congratulations on the incredible accomplishment of chairing the most recent NYS TESOL Annual Conference. As you transition into the president-elect role, I’m curious: what do you hope to achieve during your presidency, both in the short term and the long term?
NIKKI:
I haven’t had a lot of time to think about this-I am still coming off the high of the success of our amazing 2025 conference planning team. Short term-I would love to connect with members and prospective members to network and grow our membership to its full potential. Long term-The teacher shortage in TESOL and Bilingual is challenging. I hope to connect with Universities and Colleges to ensure that up and coming TESOL & bilingual students know that they have a supportive NYS TESOL network to lean on.
KATIE:
That’s a wonderful ambition. I firmly believe that working together truly lightens the load for all of us, and building well-developed professional networks is a key step in that direction. I also love your long-term goal. I try to contribute by increasing awareness of the CRITI Grants from NYSED, which help educators gain certification in ESOL or Bilingual instruction. (More information can be found at the NYSED website.)
How do you think NYS TESOL can support teachers and multilingual learners as we move toward that vision?
NIKKI:
NYS TESOL is an organization that helps to build the passion and capacity of its members. Sometimes TESOL educators are the lone-wolves in their contexts. For them, gathering with other NYS TESOL members can be a reminder that they have a supportive network and people to call on. NYS TESOL can also be a way to invigorate your teaching. I’m a lifelong learner, so I am always excited to learn from my colleagues at workshops and conferences. It’s kind of refreshing.
KATIE:
I agree wholeheartedly. It’s incredibly reassuring to know whom to reach out to when you have a question or a situation you’ve never encountered before.
So, how do you believe NYS TESOL should advocate for multilingual learners statewide?
NIKKI:
NYS TESOL can be the collective voice of advocacy for multilingual learners. We are navigating hard times right now. A lot of tears have been shed and hearts have been broken. Standing together and making everyone know that we will advocate for what is right is the glue that is holding some of us together.
KATIE:
What an incredible world it would be if more people centered others’ needs and truly acted with students’ best interests at heart. One powerful way to do this is through collaboration. How do you see collaboration—within NYS TESOL and across the field—supporting the success of English learners?
NIKKI:
When we collaborate, we can have a strong shared vision and message that aligns our collective expertise, resources, and goals. It helps to break down silos and gives a sense of collective responsibility for celebrating our students academically and linguistically.
KATIE:
I love that statement, Nikki. That’s what asset-based education is: recognizing, appreciating and celebrating what students can do! I would love to see that continue to expand across education!
One final question for you today: what leadership values guide how you work with the executive board and our members?
NIKKI:
Accountability and Adaptability centered around clear communication. Great leadership honors diverse perspectives, but also has a clear alignment to the collective vision. Essentially, everything ultimately comes down to the students-We thrive so our students can thrive.
KATIE:
Wow—what a powerful reminder for our readers. Thank you so much, Nikki, for sharing your heart, your experiences, and your vision with us today. Your commitment to multilingual learners and to the educators who serve them shines through every answer. We’re deeply grateful for your leadership and excited to see how your presidency will continue to strengthen and uplift our NYS TESOL community.
To all our members—and those considering joining us—I encourage you to connect with Nikki at our upcoming virtual events and at our Annual Conference on Long Island this November. These gatherings are wonderful opportunities to get to know her and other NYS TESOL members, share your own experiences, and become part of the collaborative network that makes this organization so special.
Thank you again, Nikki, and thank you to our readers for joining us. Here’s to a year filled with learning, connection, and advocacy.
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