A Word of Thanks from Barb Gomez

As we approach the end of our 2019-20 term on the current Board of ITBE, it is with great appreciation to all the current members that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the honorary Marsha Santelli Award which was announced and given to me at the 2020 Convention on Feb. 28^th. When the current president, Marie Friesema, got up on the stage to announce this award, I was totally shocked and surprised. Yes, I have been an active volunteer on the ITBE board since 2010, but I don’t work any harder at any particular job than any of the other wonderful volunteers who are currently on the board or who have been on the board in the past 10 years. Remember that everyone on the board of ITBE is a volunteer and we do what we can to advance the education of many ELLs across the state of Illinois.

The original board of ITBE formed in October of 1970, and one of the board members was Marsha Robbins Santelli. She served as the third President of ITBE, and thereafter worked for many years as the coordinator of the Publishers Exhibits at each annual convention, helping to increase funding for our professional organization. This award was established in her honor because of her hard work under the leadership of Debbie Sternecky in 2017 (I think?) and each year the board honors someone who has given of their time to help in any capacity on the board and in the advancement of the field of English to speakers of other languages. I feel very honored to follow in the footsteps of so many great leaders in this organization and am humbled by this award. Thank you.

As we look to the future of this great organization, let us all find ways that we can increase membership, advocate for English language learners of all ages, volunteer in any way to advance this field of education, and collaborate to improve our outreach as the Illinois affiliate of TESOL.

With sincere regards. Stay well!

Barbara L. Gomez
Past Secretary of ITBE, 2018-19

Barb Gomez has taught in the field of English as a second language for more than 25 years, 18 of those as a middle school ESL teacher in Huntley District 158, and for nearly 20 years as an Adjunct Professor at National Louis University. She is currently a Professional Adjunct Lecturer at NLU where she teaches face-to-face and online courses in the language minority education division of the National College of Education.


A Word of Thanks from Barb Gomez As we approach the end of our 2019-20 term on the current Board of ITBE, it is with great appreciation to all the current members that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the honorary Marsha Santelli Award which was announced and given to me at the 2020 Convention on Feb. 28^th. When the current president, Marie Friesema, got up on the stage to announce this award, I was totally shocked and surprised. Yes, I have been an active volunteer on the ITBE board since 2010, but I don’t work any harder at any particular job than any of the other wonderful volunteers who are currently on the board or who have been on the board in the past 10 years. Remember that everyone on the board of ITBE is a volunteer and we do what we can to advance the education of many ELLs across the state of Illinois. The original board of ITBE formed in October of 1970, and one of the board members was Marsha Robbins Santelli. She served as the third President of ITBE, and thereafter worked for many years as the coordinator of the Publishers Exhibits at each annual convention, helping to increase funding for our professional organization. This award was established in her honor because of her hard work under the leadership of Debbie Sternecky in 2017 (I think?) and each year the board honors someone who has given of their time to help in any capacity on the board and in the advancement of the field of English to speakers of other languages. I feel very honored to follow in the footsteps of so many great leaders in this organization and am humbled by this award. Thank you. As we look to the future of this great organization, let us all find ways that we can increase membership, advocate for English language learners of all ages, volunteer in any way to advance this field of education, and collaborate to improve our outreach as the Illinois affiliate of TESOL. With sincere regards. Stay well! Barbara L. Gomez Past Secretary of ITBE, 2018-19 Barb Gomez has taught in the field of English as a second language for more than 25 years, 18 of those as a middle school ESL teacher in Huntley District 158, and for nearly 20 years as an Adjunct Professor at National Louis University. She is currently a Professional Adjunct Lecturer at NLU where she teaches face-to-face and online courses in the language minority education division of the National College of Education.
ITBE Link - Spring 2020 - Spring 2020