Ms. Cathy Jacobson has been asked to participate on a panel at the International Teaching Assistants (ITA) Academic Session of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) 2011 Annual Convention to be held in New Orleans during March 16-19. The focus of the presentations will be the "Relationship Building in International Teaching Assistant Programs." Emphasis is rightfully placed on the relationships between International Teaching Assistants and their students. However, the ITAs' relationships with and within the TESOL's programs have a significant impact on their success and satisfaction. Presenters discuss the relationship dynamics fostered by their programs and the resultant differences in ITA experiences. The five panel members include:

• Karen Asenavage, Yale
• Diane Cotsonas, Univ of Utah
• Jane Dunphy, MIT
• Elin Epperson, LSU
• Cathy Jacobson, Georgia Tech

Each presenter will explain their own program in light of the session's focus on ITA relationship development, and then share those thoughts with the rest of the group. The range in the types of programs represented should lead to an interesting discussion at the convention.