Kris Lewis
@krislewisphd.bsky.social
Applied Linguist, TESOL educator, Asst Prof, they/them, nonbinary queer neurodivergent educator
**Opinions are my own, I do not speak for my employer**
**Opinions are my own, I do not speak for my employer**
New tactic for (birthday) mail from folks who should know better: read it with a black marker in hand to redact all the places where they use the wrong name and such, while shaking my head about how silly they were to "forget."
Definite mood improver. 10/10, can recommend.
Definite mood improver. 10/10, can recommend.
November 26, 2025 at 3:01 AM
New tactic for (birthday) mail from folks who should know better: read it with a black marker in hand to redact all the places where they use the wrong name and such, while shaking my head about how silly they were to "forget."
Definite mood improver. 10/10, can recommend.
Definite mood improver. 10/10, can recommend.
In the midst of so much else that is terrible in our world right now, this, too, is a heartbreak.
October 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
In the midst of so much else that is terrible in our world right now, this, too, is a heartbreak.
I work hard to create space for students to be excited and enthusiastic about how they use grammar and punctuation in their writing. (Not a small feat, I think.)
And AI—and the many tendrils of its consequences—attempts to suffocate all of those attempts, day in and day out.
And AI—and the many tendrils of its consequences—attempts to suffocate all of those attempts, day in and day out.
October 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I work hard to create space for students to be excited and enthusiastic about how they use grammar and punctuation in their writing. (Not a small feat, I think.)
And AI—and the many tendrils of its consequences—attempts to suffocate all of those attempts, day in and day out.
And AI—and the many tendrils of its consequences—attempts to suffocate all of those attempts, day in and day out.
And then we talked about how some of them are scared to experiment with em dashes in their writing because professors treat them as red flags for AI.
I promised them that if I ever accuse them of using AI, it won't be because they used em dashes. (That's never yet been the tell for me.)
I promised them that if I ever accuse them of using AI, it won't be because they used em dashes. (That's never yet been the tell for me.)
October 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
And then we talked about how some of them are scared to experiment with em dashes in their writing because professors treat them as red flags for AI.
I promised them that if I ever accuse them of using AI, it won't be because they used em dashes. (That's never yet been the tell for me.)
I promised them that if I ever accuse them of using AI, it won't be because they used em dashes. (That's never yet been the tell for me.)
Today, some of my students did a fabulous job teaching their classmates—students studying English, creative writing, and technical writing—how to use em dashes and en dashes correctly and effectively.
October 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Today, some of my students did a fabulous job teaching their classmates—students studying English, creative writing, and technical writing—how to use em dashes and en dashes correctly and effectively.
It sure is some sort of mind trip to go from thinking you're underpaid just because you're in an undervalued department (still true) to realizing that you're also significantly underpaid compared to folks hired after you in that same department.
Tell me again how my department cares about DEIJ?
Tell me again how my department cares about DEIJ?
October 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
It sure is some sort of mind trip to go from thinking you're underpaid just because you're in an undervalued department (still true) to realizing that you're also significantly underpaid compared to folks hired after you in that same department.
Tell me again how my department cares about DEIJ?
Tell me again how my department cares about DEIJ?
Hey, look: my university is hiring in TESOL/bilingual ed.
But because this position is in the school of ed (not arts & sciences), you'd make more money and have significantly better resources than me. Fun times.
But because this position is in the school of ed (not arts & sciences), you'd make more money and have significantly better resources than me. Fun times.
Assistant/Associate Professor of Bilingual-Bicultural Education | Jobs | Illinois State
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jobsearch.illinoisstate.edu
October 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Hey, look: my university is hiring in TESOL/bilingual ed.
But because this position is in the school of ed (not arts & sciences), you'd make more money and have significantly better resources than me. Fun times.
But because this position is in the school of ed (not arts & sciences), you'd make more money and have significantly better resources than me. Fun times.
Reposted by Kris Lewis
"Intentionally or not, Trump is adding weight to this burden that women are already carrying as family health managers." - my thoughts in this terrific piece from @bcrodriguez.bsky.social for @19thnews.org on the gendered burdens of attacks on Tylenol and vaccines.
19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
Trump’s vision for childhood vaccines could hurt working moms the most
“Intentionally or not, Trump is adding weight to this burden that women are already carrying as family health managers."
19thnews.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
"Intentionally or not, Trump is adding weight to this burden that women are already carrying as family health managers." - my thoughts in this terrific piece from @bcrodriguez.bsky.social for @19thnews.org on the gendered burdens of attacks on Tylenol and vaccines.
19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
Reposted by Kris Lewis
📢Call for Proposals
ITBE 2025 Virtual Fall Workshop
💠Theme: Evolving Voices in TESOL: Advocating for our Profession and our Learners
🗓 Date: October 18, 2025
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
⏱ Submission deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
👉 See more www.itbe.org/2025_fall_vi...
#ILTESOL #ITBE
ITBE 2025 Virtual Fall Workshop
💠Theme: Evolving Voices in TESOL: Advocating for our Profession and our Learners
🗓 Date: October 18, 2025
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
⏱ Submission deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
👉 See more www.itbe.org/2025_fall_vi...
#ILTESOL #ITBE
August 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
📢Call for Proposals
ITBE 2025 Virtual Fall Workshop
💠Theme: Evolving Voices in TESOL: Advocating for our Profession and our Learners
🗓 Date: October 18, 2025
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
⏱ Submission deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
👉 See more www.itbe.org/2025_fall_vi...
#ILTESOL #ITBE
ITBE 2025 Virtual Fall Workshop
💠Theme: Evolving Voices in TESOL: Advocating for our Profession and our Learners
🗓 Date: October 18, 2025
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
⏱ Submission deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
👉 See more www.itbe.org/2025_fall_vi...
#ILTESOL #ITBE
New pub alert: How do Russian language learning materials (textbooks and a digital app) for verbs of motion align (or not) with principles of second language acquisition? Showcasing the thesis work of my first MA student, Elena Petrova. Part of a special issue on teaching Russian verbs of motion.
A Pedagogical Analysis of How Unprefixed Verbs of Motion are Presented in Instructional Materials for Beginner Russian Language Learners
It is well-known that verbs of motion (VoM) are quite challenging for Russian language learners. We analyze four VoM-specific pedagogical materials (three textbooks and one mobile application) for their usefulness in supporting second language acquisition and the development of new thinking-for-speaking (TFS) patterns in beginner-level Russian language learners. Focusing on directionality, scaffolding, comprehensible input, the use of visuals, and communicative activities, we highlight how these materials lay a foundation for understanding VoM but are not sufficient for helping learners fully develop new TFS patterns. We pose recommendations for future research, teaching, learning, and materials development in the area of Russian VoM.
scholarsarchive.byu.edu
August 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
New pub alert: How do Russian language learning materials (textbooks and a digital app) for verbs of motion align (or not) with principles of second language acquisition? Showcasing the thesis work of my first MA student, Elena Petrova. Part of a special issue on teaching Russian verbs of motion.
This week (4 weeks post-op), I messaged my surgeon's office because I've just been feeling AWFUL, and I wondered if that was normal. Abdominal pain, fatigue, depression, brain fog. I can't *do* anything. Some days I can't even sit up for very long or go for a short walk outside.
June 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This week (4 weeks post-op), I messaged my surgeon's office because I've just been feeling AWFUL, and I wondered if that was normal. Abdominal pain, fatigue, depression, brain fog. I can't *do* anything. Some days I can't even sit up for very long or go for a short walk outside.
Glad to live in Illinois today.
Illinois has enshrined protections to meet this very moment.
In a time of increasing overreach and hateful rhetoric, it's more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.
You have a home here always.
In a time of increasing overreach and hateful rhetoric, it's more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.
You have a home here always.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court upholds a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors in a huge setback for transgender rights.
June 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Glad to live in Illinois today.
Oh dear! Thinking of y'all and hoping this doesn't turn out to be Lyme 💜
June 7, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Oh dear! Thinking of y'all and hoping this doesn't turn out to be Lyme 💜
Reposted by Kris Lewis
I have a new blog post that tries to lay out just what is at stake with Trump's attempted fascist takeover of higher education. Check it out and share widely!
educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/t...
educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/t...
This Is How a Democracy Dies—One University at a Time
During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump didn’t exactly hide what he was planning. He said he’d take control of higher education—and in the 100+ days since his second inauguration, he’s been …
educationallinguist.wordpress.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I have a new blog post that tries to lay out just what is at stake with Trump's attempted fascist takeover of higher education. Check it out and share widely!
educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/t...
educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/t...
Reposted by Kris Lewis
It's that time of year so porting a 🧵from the Bad Place
Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. 1/17
Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. 1/17
April 29, 2025 at 1:34 PM
It's that time of year so porting a 🧵from the Bad Place
Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. 1/17
Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. Scaffold your teaching evaluations. 1/17
I really don't love how they've segregated the two, but I'm trying to hold back final judgment until we see the pricing structure for registration rates...
April 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I really don't love how they've segregated the two, but I'm trying to hold back final judgment until we see the pricing structure for registration rates...
The best part about having my SLA students write annotated bibliographies on topics related to L2 learning is that I get to read some of the the cool articles they find... so much interesting work folks are doing!
April 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The best part about having my SLA students write annotated bibliographies on topics related to L2 learning is that I get to read some of the the cool articles they find... so much interesting work folks are doing!
Reposted by Kris Lewis
i think people are missing the forest for the trees with this one. RFK Jr wants complete centralized knowledge of every American's health in order to exact control on what medications are allowed and in order to fabricate "evidence" for each and all of his nonsense theories.
April 22, 2025 at 1:17 AM
i think people are missing the forest for the trees with this one. RFK Jr wants complete centralized knowledge of every American's health in order to exact control on what medications are allowed and in order to fabricate "evidence" for each and all of his nonsense theories.
Reposted by Kris Lewis
Bring back *everyone* who was sent from the U.S. to CECOT in El Salvador. *No one* should be sent there. ALL their rights were violated. ALL of them should come home.
April 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Bring back *everyone* who was sent from the U.S. to CECOT in El Salvador. *No one* should be sent there. ALL their rights were violated. ALL of them should come home.
Reposted by Kris Lewis
March 31, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Yeah, it's wild. (applied linguist in an English dept)
March 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Yeah, it's wild. (applied linguist in an English dept)
Yes, absolutely!
For the worst of it, I've also had conversations with the Ombudsperson (which is its own kind of problem at my institution) and the Dean's Office.
For the worst of it, I've also had conversations with the Ombudsperson (which is its own kind of problem at my institution) and the Dean's Office.
March 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Yes, absolutely!
For the worst of it, I've also had conversations with the Ombudsperson (which is its own kind of problem at my institution) and the Dean's Office.
For the worst of it, I've also had conversations with the Ombudsperson (which is its own kind of problem at my institution) and the Dean's Office.
I have often wished for these kinds of mentors, both when I was a doctoral student and now as an assistant prof. Now, I'm trying to balance protecting myself (sometimes from the very same folks who *should* be protecting me) and doing better by those coming up behind me.
I wish all scholars were afforded the same kinds of protection that I was extended as a master's & doctoral student, then as an assistant professor.
At each level, there was one mentor who was determined that I was going to succeed. They weren't always gentle w/ me, but they shielded me from a lot.
At each level, there was one mentor who was determined that I was going to succeed. They weren't always gentle w/ me, but they shielded me from a lot.
March 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I have often wished for these kinds of mentors, both when I was a doctoral student and now as an assistant prof. Now, I'm trying to balance protecting myself (sometimes from the very same folks who *should* be protecting me) and doing better by those coming up behind me.