English Language Center
1000 E. University Ave. Dept. 3707
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 1-307-766-3631
Email: elc@uwyo.edu
Graduate ESL Coordinator
English for Academic Purposes Instructor
Cheney International Center 14
+1(307)766-3606 | pheinz@uwyo.edu
Petra holds a master’s degree in Romance Languages (French and Italian) and German
as a Foreign Language from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany.
She came to the US in 2004 and has taught undergraduate and graduate ESL courses at
UW since 2010. Her main areas of interest include adult language acquisition and assessment,
and intercultural teaching and learning. Petra is the ELC’s link to the School of
Graduate Education. In 2014, she became an ACTFL Certified English Oral Proficiency
Tester and renewed her certification in 2020. Petra is in charge of the online ITA
Orientation and the ITA Training Workshop Series. In both, she combines her passion
for teaching and intercultural communication. In her free time, Petra likes to hike,
ski, play “fetch ball” with her dog, and cook German recipes.
English for Academic Purposes Instructor
Cheney International Center 27
Marian Stordahl holds a Ph.D. in curriculum instruction. She teaches academic and technical writing for international students, and she holds the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). Marian’s professional experience includes teaching K-12 in public schools within the continental United States and in Europe. Certified in English, Marian taught high-school courses in American literature, African-American literature, science fiction, and in composition and grammar. Stordahl has been active in teacher education for over 14 years, supervising teacher preparation and providing support and writing guidance for pre-service teachers in language arts and mathematics. Stordahl has provided observation and assistance for pre-service teachers completing practicum requirements for ESL teacher certification. Offspring of Wyoming natives and child of a military family, Marian has lived in Europe and Hawaii, and served in the military, stationed in South Korea. She continues her interest in international travel and in global issues that affect the lives of humans. Stordahl’s research interests include second language acquisition, writing assessment, and positioning theory. She is currently involved in projects on teaching the writing of science discourse.
Intensive English Program Instructor
mbyrnes@uwyo.edu
Mary Byrnes has many years of leadership and skills to support culturally diverse
populations gained through organizing international academic and governmental trips
and domestic symposia, teaching English as a second language to international college
students and adults, and volunteering overseas to support economic empowerment. Throughout
her experiences, she has developed great team-working skills and an understanding
of the invaluable benefits that come from collaborative work and clear project management.
Mary is an instructor of the University of Wyoming Intensive English Program working
with international students to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
She has the following credentials: TESOL Graduate Certificate – University of Northern
Colorado; Advanced Grant Development and Proposal Writing Certificate – Arizona State
University; Agricultural Economics, MA – University of Wyoming.
Assistant Director, English Language Center
Intensive English Program Instructor
joshfm@uwyo.edu
Josh is an alum of the University of Wyoming and longtime resident of Laramie. He
holds an international TESOL certification from Bridge School in Denver, and dual
master’s degree in American Studies/Environment and Natural Resources from the University
of Wyoming. Josh also studied journalism and theater arts at Washington State University
and enjoys traveling with his wife and daughter. His inspiration is sparked by collaborating
with diverse international students in the art of language learning.
English Language Center
1000 E. University Ave. Dept. 3707
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 1-307-766-3631
Email: elc@uwyo.edu