About Dr. Peggy Semingson

I am currently an assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Arlington in the College of Education where I teach graduate and undergraduate courses in Literacy Studies.

http://www3.uta.edu/faculty/peggys/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/peggysemingson

Education: Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Language and Literacy Studies from the University of Texas at Austin (2008); M.Ed. in Reading Education from Texas State University, San Marcos (2004); B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1996). Teaching Certificate from Westmont College (1997), Santa Barbara, CA.

I am certified in Texas to teach: early childhood-grade 12,  reading specialist (EC-12), Master Reading Teacher (EC-12), bilingual/ESL (EC-12), Special Education (EC-12), and Secondary Reading (6-12).

Prior to my academic career, I taught elementary school and was a reading specialist for a total of eight years in Southern California and Central Texas. I taught bilingual education and ESL in both urban and rural settings (all Title 1 schools).

Research and Writing Agenda

My research and writing agenda 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 support of meaningful and ongoing family involvement.  I am also interested in the ways that technology and new literacies can support literacy learning for learners of all ages and settings. Other academic interests include: historical and policy approaches to literacy learning. I have been doing extensive reading on the work and legacy of Jeanne S. Chall in preparation for my trip as a visiting scholar to Harvard University.

Current Research Projects as Principal investigator

1) Using Video and Blogging to Discuss and Reflect on Simulated Demonstration Lessons in Class (grant funded)

Using the conceptual framework of a community of inquiry (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2001), I investigate the ways that blogging, participation in new literacy practices, and use of multi-media (student-authored video) support the knowledge development of literacy learning and lesson plan design of future teachers.

2) Parents’ Narratives about their Participation in their Children’s Literacy Learning in Home and School

This study examines the role Latina immigrant mothers play in their children’s literacy learning. We use a narrative approach to listen to their stories and analyze themes across the participants. We also look at the narrative stories and accounts of the community personnel who are engaging the mothers in community-based family literacy program.

Research questions: 1) What role or roles do parents play in their children’s literacy learning? (2) What resources do parents use to support the home-school and community connection? (3) In what ways do parents’ previous literacy learning experiences impact the kinds of literacy opportunities provided to their children at home? (4) What literacy-related activities are practiced at home that may support classroom instruction?

Writing-manuscripts in progress

I am also writing articles from my dissertation study. “”O.K., Let‘s figure it out all together”: Parents’ Narratives about Collaborative Literacy Learning in the Home”, my first paper, which I will present at the National Reading Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico this December, focuses on the strengths of social-collaborative literacy practices in households.

Additionally, I am writing out of my dissertation on the general breakdown in communication between home and school with families of students who face challenges in reading.

I love listening to various sub-genres of Electronic music such as: techno, trance, house, freestyle, Eurodance, and 80’s synth-pop and new wave. Her favorite DJ’s are George Acosta, Armin van Buuren, and Paul van Dyk. I am a child of the 80’s. I was born in Austin, Texas, she then grew up in the wilds of Alaska (Kodiak Island, Fairbanks, and Anchorage) as well as Southern California (the borderlands of San Diego) and Santa Barbara. I have called Texas home for nine years.

Contact info: peggys@uta.edu