Hector Castrillon-Costa

Bio

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Hector moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 2015 to begin serving as a Dual Language Bilingual Education Social Studies Teacher in a middle school. In 2022-23, he moved to Saint Lucia to conduct his dissertation research. He joined the faculty at UW-Stevens Point in 2025.

Experience and Interests

Teaching

• Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2025-present)
• Adjunct Instructor, Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, The University of Texas at San Antonio (Summer 2025)

Research Interests

• Language Policy and Planning
  Decolonial / Transmodern Approaches to Education
  Genealogies of Education

Professional Experience

• Dual Language Bilingual Education Social Studies Teacher, Fulmore Middle School Austin, Texas (2016-2019)
• Co-Teacher, IDEA Public Schools, San Antonio, Texas (2015-2016)

Presentations and Publications

Publications

• Castrillón-Costa, H. R. (2022-23). Principal Investigator (PI). Fulbright Open Study/Research Award (29,150). Caribbean Creole Languages in Education: An Ethnography of Educational Language Policy in St. Lucia. (PS00337647)

Involvement

Community

• Volunteer, Food Bank (2021-2025)

Professional Memberships

• Reviewer of Journal Manuscripts, International Journal of Lesson and Learning Studies (2024-present)
• Reviewer of Journal Manuscripts, Teacher Education Quarterly (2022-present)
• Reviewer of Journal Manuscripts, Bilingual Research Journal (2021-present)
• Reviewer of Journal Manuscripts, International Journal of Language and Linguistics (2022-present)
• Reviewer of Conference Proposals:
  • AERA (2020-present)
  • TESOL (2023-present)

Fun Facts

Last book you read?

The Politics of Decolonial Investigations by Walter Mignolo

Best advice you ever received?

Enjoy today, tomorrow is not promised.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A baseball player.

Favorite Quote?

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

The excitement of exchanging stories.