Heather Linville

Dr. Heather Linville is a Professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in the Department of Educational Studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Her research focuses on digital storytelling as translanguaging, advocacy for English learners (ELs), language teacher education, and social justice in education. She holds a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Dr. Linville teaches courses such as Educating Multilingual Learners and TESOL Methods, emphasizing the preparation of teachers to advocate for ELs. She has lived and taught in Mexico, Panama, and Indonesia, bringing global perspectives to her work.

Her recent scholarly contributions include keynote speeches at the Maryland TESOL Conference (2024) and the publication of Advocacy in English Language Teaching and Learning (2019). Dr. Linville currently serves as President-Elect of WITESOL and Chair of the Teacher Educator Interest Section for TESOL International. She has received prestigious awards, including the 2025 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award and the 2019 Fellows@50 Encore award.

Dr. Linville’s work bridges theory and practice, prioritizing translanguaging strategies and social justice advocacy. Her research explores how digital storytelling can empower multilingual learners and challenge monolingual language ideologies. She actively contributes to teacher education through professional development and policy advocacy, aiming to enhance equity in language education globally.