Doctor Researcher and Teacher Sinelia Peixoto

Sinelia Peixoto is an award-winning Delaware educator, published author, and Doctor of Education known for her advocacy for immigrant and English language learners. Born in Brasília, Brazil, she serves as an ESOL and English Language Arts teacher at Georgetown Middle School in Delaware.

Professional Background & Education

• Role: 6th-grade ESOL/ELA teacher at Georgetown Middle School (Indian River School District).

• Education: She is finishing her Principal Preparatory Program at the University of Delaware. She earned her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Salisbury University, where she was also a Holmes Scholar.

• Community Leadership: Founded the Georgetown Middle School International and Equity Club in 2024 to support the school's diverse student body, celebrate cultural heritage, and foster belonging.

  
  

Awards and Grants

• NEA Foundation Grant: Recognized as one of three Delaware educators to win a grant supporting student inclusion and cultural programs.

• "Write Your Story" Program: Co-developed an innovative teaching curriculum with Heather Langton, recognized through Voya Financial's Unsung Heroes program to encourage student authorship.

  
  

Published Works

• Poetry: Author of Poems in the Spring, focusing on life experiences, empowerment, and teaching. It's on Amazon.

The Doctor:

Dr. Sinelia Peixoto (published academically under Sinelia Espindola Peixoto) focuses her research on multilingual education, student self-assessment, writing, and equity for English language learners.

Doctoral Dissertation

• Title: Building Bridges: Making Space to Connect Identities in a Newcomer Multilingual Classroom with Writing

• Publication: ProQuest LLC / ERIC (2023): https://www.proquest.com/openview/6417558c5f0a0d680e000a8fec837630/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

• Focus: Investigates methods to help multilingual students leverage their native languages to enhance literacy and engagement in English-centric classrooms while learning English and writing.

  
  

  Academic Articles & Research Papers

  Her published papers and collaborations, widely hosted on platforms like ResearchGate, include: [1]

  • When Would You Feel Like a Writer? Exploring Writing with Newcomer Students (Co-authored with Thea Williamson): Examines how middle school writers navigate multiple languages to construct cross-linguistic literacy skills. https://publicationsncte.org/docserver/fulltext/ej/114/1/englishjournal114165.pdf?expires=1784850155&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=1578EADE0AF74945138DAD7F4E9C8D0B

  • More, Faster, Neater: Middle School Students' Self-Assessed Literacy Concerns (Co-authored with Thea Williamson and Kira Leekeenan): Analyzes student mindsets regarding linguistic diversity and regional dialects in school environments and students' self-assessments. https://publicationsncte.org/docserver/fulltext/ej/114/1/englishjournal114165.pdf?expires=1784850155&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=1578EADE0AF74945138DAD7F4E9C8D0B

  • Linguistic Scaffolding chapter in the book: Nine Dimensions of Scaffolding for Multilingual Learners: Investigates how teachers are using scafdolding strategies in their programs in urban schools. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=6GNrEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=sinélia+peixoto&ots=aaoNQkycKt&sig=18Kw-UM4loAiGSp2EyNoS6t-wOQ#v=onepage&q&f=false