Dr. Peggy Semingson

Position: University Professor
Organization: UT Arlington

Biography

Dr. Peggy Semingson is an assistant professor in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Arlington where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Literacy Studies. Dr. Semingson taught bilingual students as a classroom teacher and a reading specialist for eight years in both Southern California and Texas. She received her M.Ed. in Reading Education from Texas State University, San Marcos in 2004 and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Language and Literacy Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. Dr. Semingson presents at local, state, and national conferences on topics that include: literacy learning, bilingual best practices, and parent involvement in literacy learning. She has co-authored a book chapter on literacy assessment for Guilford Press and most recently was co-author of an article in Teachers College Record. Her research focuses on the ways that families participate in their children’s literacy learning as well as ways to support students with challenges in reading. She was recently awarded the Jeanne S. Chall Research Grant from Harvard University to pursue research on ways to assist upper-grade readers. She believes all students bring unique strengths to school. It is our job, as educators, to know students' strengths and build on those as we make learning meaningful, purposeful, and connected to their lives and communities. She is an identical twin and has lived in Alaska, Southern California, and Texas.

Speech Titles

Fostering effective home and school partnerships. Helping students who face challenges in reading and writing. Integrating sustainbility topics with children's literature. Increasing student achievement in reading and writing instruction.

Speech Description

I am interested in the concept of social-collaborative literacy learning models and studying literacy sponsors in the community. I also focus on ways to support students in the elementary and middle school grades who have challenges in reading. These supports include instructional strategies in the classroom as well as the broader socio-contextual supports of meaningful and ongoing community and family involvement. Other academic interests include: historical and policy approaches to literacy learning. My profesional website is here: http://www3.uta.edu/faculty/peggys/index.html

References

Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts Conference 2009 Inspirational Authors: Engaging English Language Learners with Bilingual Text National Association of Bilingual Education 2009 Engaging Bilingual Learners with Culturally Relevant Literature to Develop Comprehension and Vocabulary Texas Association of Bilingual Education 2008 The Photography Project Staff Development: Austin Independent School District, Graham Elementary 2008 Presentation to 40+ staff and administrators on Effective Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners. February 2007--Presenter at 43rd Annual Rose Spicola Reading Conference, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX. Parent’s Perspectives About How Their Children’s Literacy Needs Are Met at School. Staff Development: Austin Independent School District, Walnut Creek Elementary 2007 Presentation to 75+ faculty and administrators on Vocabulary Development for English Language Learners: "What Works". American Educational Research Association 2006 April 2006-American Educational Research Association. "I Just Need More Information to Help My Child": Parents' Perspectives About How Their Children's Literacy Needs Are Met at School.

Minimum Speaking Time: 15 minutes
Maximum Speaking Time: 1+ hours