Shantel Dasilva, Ph.D and I am an SEI Social Studies teacher at New Bedford High School. I am first generation and was raised in a Portuguese-speaking home. I speak Portuguese and Spanish. I recently received my doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. My research has been focused on educational policies that impact undocumented English Learners in Massachusetts and ways to empower these students across the state. My teaching and learning is project based and provides opportunities for students to be creative and self-advocates.