Santoi Wagner

Santoi Wagner is a Senior Lecturer and Acting Director of the TESOL program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. She specializes in language education and applied linguistics, focusing on social interaction in institutional contexts. Her research employs Conversation Analysis to explore teacher-mentor dynamics and authentic materials in language teaching. Dr. Wagner founded the PEDAL programs, offering free ESL classes to international families and West Philadelphia residents. She has collaborated internationally, such as with Dr. Eun Sung Park of Sogang University (South Korea), supported by a National Communication Association micro grant. These efforts address challenges in preparing TESOL graduates for diverse global teaching environments.

Her professional roles include supervising ESL student teachers and advocating for community-based language education. Key projects involve analyzing classroom interactions and bridging gaps between U.S. training programs and international teaching realities. Dr. Wagner’s work emphasizes intercultural dialogue and the practical application of theoretical frameworks in diverse educational settings.