The document is a newsletter from the Metro Chapter of PRTESOL (Puerto Rico Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages). [1] The Metro Chapter has been working to organize activities for members and keep them informed through a new website and email. They held two successful events last semester: a symposium on technology integration and a storytelling contest. [2] An annual conference is scheduled for October 18 on research and innovative practices in ESL teaching. It will feature workshops, a research roundtable, and networking opportunities. [3] Information is provided on joining PRTESOL, including a membership application form. Members are encouraged to renew their memberships and recruit new members.

1. PRTESOL’s M et r o
ID
METRO
Bayamón, Carolina, Cataño, Corozal, Dorado, Guaynabo, Naranjito, Río Piedras, San Juan, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto,
Vega Alta, Vega Baja
A Message from the President
September 2008 Dr. Naomi Vega Nieves
Inside this issue: PRTESOL Metro Chapter has worked very hard to organize activities for its members and use
communication technology to keep you informed. We created a new website,
 Message from http://metro.prtesol.angelfire.com, with the invaluable help of Dr Eric Otero. And a new email
the president address was also established, metroprtesol@gmail.com. If you have not received emails from us
 Meet the Board then we probably do not have your current email address. Please email us with your new address.
members We are very proud of the two very successful activities that we held last semester: the Symposium
on the Integration of Technology in the ESL Classroom and the Storytelling Contest. We had
 Metro Update excellent participation and attendance. The Storytelling Contest was especially a new exciting and
 Storytelling rewarding experience for the participant teachers, students and their parents.
Contest
 13th Annual Our last activity for the year is our annual conference on Saturday, October 18, 2008. I hope you
Conference are making plans to attend because it promises to be an exciting professional development
experience. Please send in your pre-registration before October 10 so that you can be eligible to
 Join TESOL! participate in a raffle to get the PRTESOL November convention free (worth $150). Everyone will
 Membership receive certificates with contact hours. Some highlights of the Metro conference are, a Research
application Roundtable, and four intensive two-hour interactive workshops on researched-based strategies and
the latest technology for more effective teaching. The Research Roundtable will be led by a panel
of distinguished colleagues who will present a variety of research paradigms and projects. Then all
the participants will share their research or ask questions and network in small groups. All the
details and the registration forms are in this newsletter. We look forward to greeting you on that
day.
Mark your Calendars!
Lastly, I want to remind you to renew your PRTESOL membership since most Metro Chapter
35th PRTESOL Annual memberships have expired recently or will expire in October 2008. As you all know PRTESOL is
Convention and
carrying out a membership campaign and if you recruit 10 members your membership is free.
Exhibit
Please recruit those ten English educators. PRTESOL is your professional organization.
Gran Meliá PR Resort
The Metro Board and myself have tried our very best to serve our members and we hope that our
chapter continues to strengthen and grow; it depends on your participation.
Nov. 21—22, 2008
Many Blessings throughout this academic year.
Meet the 2008 Board Members
Naomi Vega Nieves President
Mark Wekander Vice-President
Brenda Cámara Past Pres./Secretary
Elsie de Jesús Treasurer
Josué Alejandro University Rep.
Wanda Billoch Private School Rep.
Emma Rosa Mejias Elem. School Rep./Membership Sec.
Wanda Ramírez Member at Large
Milagros Rodríguez Member at Large
(Not shown in picture: Prof. Milagros Rodríguez, Dr. Josué Alejandro)

2. METRO UPDATE A brief overview of this year’s events
3rd Symposium on the Integration of Technology in the ESL Classroom PRTESOL Metro
Chapterhad the opportunity to co-sponsor together with Sacred Heart University a fine symposium on
the integration of technology. In this event, which was held on April 16, 2008, participants shared the
activities and research that are taking place in Puerto Rico ESL classrooms.
Storytelling Contest On April 18, 2008 PRTESOL Metro Chapter held its 1st Storytelling Contest at the
Sacred Heart University. The event was an amazing success. Participants (students and teachers) came
from Robinson School, Colegio Congregación Mita, Colegio Puertorriqueño de Niñas, and Luis Muñoz
Rivera, Julián Blanco, S. U. Adolfo García, John F. Kennedy schools. Kudos for great coordination and
team work! We are looking forward to seeing more members and schools participating next year.
PRTESOL METRO CHAPTER’s 13th Annual Conference
Research and Innovative Practices in ESL
Mark your calendars to attend this conference that will be held at Sacred Heart University in Santurce, “Sala de la
Facultad” (located on Barat Building). The schedule will be as follows:
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration, Breakfast, Exhibitors
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. First Concurrent Sessions and Research Roundtable
11:00 a.m. – 12 m. Lunch and Raffle
12:00 m. - 2:00 p.m. Second Concurrent Sessions
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Farewell and Raffle
ESL Research Round Table Panelists: Dr. Loretta Collins (UPR- Río Piedras), Dr. María Antonia
Irizarri (UPR- Río Piedras), Dr. Evelyn Lugo, (UNE), Dr. Maritza Sostre (UPR-Bayamón), and Dr. Milagros
Martínez (UPR- Bayamón). The panelists will explain their research project and research method. Then they will
join the round tables for an exchange of ideas. Participants will be able to hear about the experience of researchers
and talk to them personally in small groups to ask questions and receive answers from each panelist or each other.
A great opportunity for master’s level and doctoral level students to participate in a round table on research that will
go beyond institutional boundaries.
Concurrent Sessions
Plan on attending two of the following workshops to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
 Title: quot;iLearningquot;: Use of iPod as a tool in the ESL classroom. Presenter: Amarilys González
This workshop is an introduction to podcasting. Participants will learn the basics for developing podcasts to be
used in the teaching learning process. Teachers will receive a step by step guide to create podcasts.
 Title: Differentiated Instruction- One size doesn’t fit all Presenter: Elsie De Jesus
In most classrooms we have a diversity of students with different academic abilities and learning styles. We can
meet their needs by differentiating instruction. In this workshop you will be provided with the knowledge and
skills to implement effective strategies to meet the needs of your students and improve student achievement.
 Title: Digital Storytelling Presenter: Eileen Hernández
Digital storytelling is the modern and technological expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Participants of this
workshop will learn how create a digital story using the program moviemaker. The presenter will show how you can use it
in the classroom as a powerful instructional tool to have your students retell and create stories.
 Title: Fun Writing Activities: Presenter: Crucita Orama
Presentation of activities that will engage your students in talking, listening, reading and writing English. The
students will have fun while learning, and therefore be more interested in their English class.

5. Puerto Rico TESOL
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
MEMBERSHIP FORM
? NEW ? RENEWAL
NAME: ________________________________________ Member ID # _____________
Last (Names) First Middle Initial
MAILING _____________________________ HOME PHONE: ____________
ADDRESS _____________________________ CELL PHONE: _____________
_____________________________ E-MAIL: _______________@________
Town Country Zip Code
WORK/STUDY : ?Public ? Private CURRENT LEVEL :
PLACE: _______________________________ ____ Elementary
_______________________________ ____ Secondary
_______________________________ ____ Higher Education
Town Country Zip Code ____ Administration
____ Other (please specify)
TELEPHONE(S): _______________________ ________________
FAX: _________________
CHAPTER:
MEMBERSHIP FEES (Please check the rate
that applies to you.) ONE YEAR ____ CAGUAS
____ EASTERN
? REGULAR $25 ____ METRO
____ NORTHERN
? FULL TIME STUDENT * $20 ____ SOUTHERN
____ WESTERN
? RETIRED $20
PAYMENT :
? INSTITUTION ** $30
_____ CHECK
_____ MONEY ORDER
_____ CASH (No cash through
* Rate for full-time student only, undergraduate 12 credits or the mail, please)
more, graduate 6 credits or more. A copy of the present class
program is required with membership form.
** This fee entitles institutions to mailings only. Referred by ___________________________
MAIL TO:
PLEASE DO NOT FILL OUT
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
PUERTO RICO TESOL Membership List: ________________
P. O. BOX 366828 Membership Card Sent Date: _______
SAN JUAN, PR 00936-6828 Check No. _____________
Date: _______________
Banking Institution: ______________
* A $10.00 fee will be charged for each returned check.
Revised form 2008/mr