Interview with Seongshin Kim, 2026-2027 VP Outreach of NYS TESOL
Back to BlogInterview with Seongshin Kim, 2026-2027 VP Outreach of NYS TESOL
06/09/2026
Strong professional communities don't happen by accident—they are built through relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to supporting educators and multilingual learners. As NYS TESOL welcomes its 2026–2027 Executive Board, we are excited to introduce Seongshin Kim, our new Vice President of Outreach. In this conversation, Seong shares her vision for strengthening connections across NYS TESOL's Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Regions, fostering meaningful engagement among members, and expanding opportunities for collaboration throughout the state. Her thoughtful approach to outreach highlights the important role every educator can play in building a more connected, responsive, and inclusive professional community.
Please join us this Thursday, June 11th: 7:30 PM- 8:30 PM - via Zoom
KATIE:
Today I’m sitting down with our 2026-2027 VP of Outreach for NYS TESOL, Seongshin Kim! She is a new member of our Executive Board that I look forward to getting to know! Thank you for joining me in the hopes of better understanding your work and aspirations in this new role. It’s an important one!
SEONG:
Thank you so much, Katie. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of this conversation and to serve NYS TESOL in this role. I’m very excited to work with such a dedicated community of educators.
KATIE:
I completely agree! What inspired you to take on the role of VP of Outreach for NYS TESOL?
SEONG:
What inspired me to take on the role of VP of Outreach is my strong belief in the power of professional communities. Throughout my career, I have seen how meaningful connections among educators can directly impact the success of multilingual learners. NYS TESOL has always been a space where educators learn from one another, and I wanted to contribute to strengthening and expanding that network.
KATIE:
Yes, I believe together everyone achieves more! Can you tell me more about the SIGs and Regions?
SEONG:
SIGs and Regions are really the heart of NYS TESOL. SIG stands for Special Interest Groups. SIGs bring together educators around shared professional interests, such as adult education, leadership, or technology, while Regions connect educators geographically. Together, they create opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and support that are both focused and accessible.
KATIE:
That makes a lot of sense because it’s great to connect with those in your area AND it’s great to connect with those playing a similar role in education. How have they been evolving this year?
SEONG:
This year, we are taking a closer look at how our SIGs are functioning and how we can make them more responsive to members’ needs. We are exploring ways to increase engagement, clarify their purpose, and ensure that each SIG is active and meaningful. There is also ongoing conversation about aligning SIGs more closely with current trends in TESOL and the evolving needs of our members.
KATIE:
I love that you are updating them to be responsive to what will move the needle in 2026. What vision guides your work as VP of Outreach, and how did you develop that vision?
SEONG:
My vision as VP of Outreach is to build a more connected, responsive, and inclusive professional community. I want our outreach efforts to reflect what educators actually need, whether that is practical classroom strategies, leadership support, or opportunities for collaboration. This vision comes from both my experience in teacher education and from listening to educators who are navigating increasingly complex classroom realities and longing for a community that can share information and provide support.
KATIE:
It sounds like you have listened to a lot of voices. How do you see the SIGs and Regions contributing to NYS TESOL’s mission of supporting teachers and multilingual learners?
SEONG:
SIGs and Regions play a critical role in advancing NYS TESOL’s mission. They provide spaces where educators can share knowledge, address challenges, and support one another in teaching multilingual learners. When these groups are active and well-supported, they become powerful platforms for professional growth and ultimately improve outcomes for students.
KATIE:
Yes, it’s been interesting to me how this year I’ve had to learn how to be a better advocate for my students. I have been inspired by the advocacy SIG and their work to try out some new ways of showing off our students’ assets. How do you foster collaboration—within NYS TESOL and with external partners—to expand outreach and impact?
SEONG:
Collaboration is essential. Within NYS TESOL, I hope to strengthen communication across SIGs and Regions so that efforts are aligned and mutually supportive. Externally, partnerships with schools, universities, and organizations allow us to expand our reach and bring in diverse perspectives. Outreach is most effective when it is not isolated but connected to a broader network.
KATIE:
How can all educators play an active role in outreach that supports the success of English learners?
SEONG:
All educators can play a role in outreach by sharing their knowledge, participating in professional communities, and supporting colleagues. Even small actions, such as presenting at a webinar, contributing to discussions, or mentoring others, can have a meaningful impact. Outreach is not just a position; it is a shared responsibility that helps us grow as a profession and better serve our students.
KATIE:
Wow! “A shared responsibility” is a great way to think about it. Thank you so much for your time today, Seong. I appreciate your enthusiasm and the wonderful job you're doing as Vice President of Outreach. I can’t wait to see the evolution of our SIGs and Regions under your leadership! Is there a way for educators to get more involved in their SIGs and Regions?
SEONG:
I would like to invite everyone currently involved in, or interested in becoming involved in, NYS TESOL SIGs and Regions to a planning and operations meeting. This will be an opportunity for us to connect, discuss goals and initiatives for the upcoming year, share ideas, and explore ways SIGs and Regions can collaborate and support one another more effectively.
Meeting Details:
Thursday, June 11
7:30 PM- 8:30 PM - via Zoom
CLICK HERE: https://mms.nystesol.org/ct.php?lid=533104511&mm=155732471535
Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for this virtual event.
Whether you are a current leader, an active member, or someone interested in getting more involved, your participation and input would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing everyone and working together to continue strengthening our NYS TESOL community.
KATIE:
Thank you for that invitation, Seong. I’m sure many of our members will be joining you on the 11th.
Strong professional communities don't happen by accident—they are built through relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to supporting educators and multilingual learners. As NYS TESOL welcomes its 2026–2027 Executive Board, we are excited to introduce Seongshin Kim, our new Vice President of Outreach. In this conversation, Seong shares her vision for strengthening connections across NYS TESOL's Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Regions, fostering meaningful engagement among members, and expanding opportunities for collaboration throughout the state. Her thoughtful approach to outreach highlights the important role every educator can play in building a more connected, responsive, and inclusive professional community.
Please join us this Thursday, June 11th: 7:30 PM- 8:30 PM - via Zoom
KATIE:
Today I’m sitting down with our 2026-2027 VP of Outreach for NYS TESOL, Seongshin Kim! She is a new member of our Executive Board that I look forward to getting to know! Thank you for joining me in the hopes of better understanding your work and aspirations in this new role. It’s an important one!
SEONG:
Thank you so much, Katie. I truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of this conversation and to serve NYS TESOL in this role. I’m very excited to work with such a dedicated community of educators.
KATIE:
I completely agree! What inspired you to take on the role of VP of Outreach for NYS TESOL?
SEONG:
What inspired me to take on the role of VP of Outreach is my strong belief in the power of professional communities. Throughout my career, I have seen how meaningful connections among educators can directly impact the success of multilingual learners. NYS TESOL has always been a space where educators learn from one another, and I wanted to contribute to strengthening and expanding that network.
KATIE:
Yes, I believe together everyone achieves more! Can you tell me more about the SIGs and Regions?
SEONG:
SIGs and Regions are really the heart of NYS TESOL. SIG stands for Special Interest Groups. SIGs bring together educators around shared professional interests, such as adult education, leadership, or technology, while Regions connect educators geographically. Together, they create opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and support that are both focused and accessible.
KATIE:
That makes a lot of sense because it’s great to connect with those in your area AND it’s great to connect with those playing a similar role in education. How have they been evolving this year?
SEONG:
This year, we are taking a closer look at how our SIGs are functioning and how we can make them more responsive to members’ needs. We are exploring ways to increase engagement, clarify their purpose, and ensure that each SIG is active and meaningful. There is also ongoing conversation about aligning SIGs more closely with current trends in TESOL and the evolving needs of our members.
KATIE:
I love that you are updating them to be responsive to what will move the needle in 2026. What vision guides your work as VP of Outreach, and how did you develop that vision?
SEONG:
My vision as VP of Outreach is to build a more connected, responsive, and inclusive professional community. I want our outreach efforts to reflect what educators actually need, whether that is practical classroom strategies, leadership support, or opportunities for collaboration. This vision comes from both my experience in teacher education and from listening to educators who are navigating increasingly complex classroom realities and longing for a community that can share information and provide support.
KATIE:
It sounds like you have listened to a lot of voices. How do you see the SIGs and Regions contributing to NYS TESOL’s mission of supporting teachers and multilingual learners?
SEONG:
SIGs and Regions play a critical role in advancing NYS TESOL’s mission. They provide spaces where educators can share knowledge, address challenges, and support one another in teaching multilingual learners. When these groups are active and well-supported, they become powerful platforms for professional growth and ultimately improve outcomes for students.
KATIE:
Yes, it’s been interesting to me how this year I’ve had to learn how to be a better advocate for my students. I have been inspired by the advocacy SIG and their work to try out some new ways of showing off our students’ assets. How do you foster collaboration—within NYS TESOL and with external partners—to expand outreach and impact?
SEONG:
Collaboration is essential. Within NYS TESOL, I hope to strengthen communication across SIGs and Regions so that efforts are aligned and mutually supportive. Externally, partnerships with schools, universities, and organizations allow us to expand our reach and bring in diverse perspectives. Outreach is most effective when it is not isolated but connected to a broader network.
KATIE:
How can all educators play an active role in outreach that supports the success of English learners?
SEONG:
All educators can play a role in outreach by sharing their knowledge, participating in professional communities, and supporting colleagues. Even small actions, such as presenting at a webinar, contributing to discussions, or mentoring others, can have a meaningful impact. Outreach is not just a position; it is a shared responsibility that helps us grow as a profession and better serve our students.
KATIE:
Wow! “A shared responsibility” is a great way to think about it. Thank you so much for your time today, Seong. I appreciate your enthusiasm and the wonderful job you're doing as Vice President of Outreach. I can’t wait to see the evolution of our SIGs and Regions under your leadership! Is there a way for educators to get more involved in their SIGs and Regions?
SEONG:
I would like to invite everyone currently involved in, or interested in becoming involved in, NYS TESOL SIGs and Regions to a planning and operations meeting. This will be an opportunity for us to connect, discuss goals and initiatives for the upcoming year, share ideas, and explore ways SIGs and Regions can collaborate and support one another more effectively.
Meeting Details:
Thursday, June 11
7:30 PM- 8:30 PM - via Zoom
CLICK HERE: https://mms.nystesol.org/ct.php?lid=533104511&mm=155732471535
Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for this virtual event.
Whether you are a current leader, an active member, or someone interested in getting more involved, your participation and input would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing everyone and working together to continue strengthening our NYS TESOL community.
KATIE:
Thank you for that invitation, Seong. I’m sure many of our members will be joining you on the 11th.
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