Dr. Dacia Sewell: A Leader Driven by Heart and Equity for Emergent Multilingual Learners

For Dr. Dacia Sewell, principal of Forest Oak Middle School, supporting Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs) is more than a job. It’s a personal mission shaped by her own teaching experience.

Years ago, as a high school history teacher without formal ESOL certification, Sewell was assigned a class of English language learners. “I had to learn alongside them — finding ways to make learning accessible while honoring their home languages,” she said. That experience sparked a lifelong dedication to language equity and inclusion.

Her passion and leadership were celebrated June 9, when she was surprised with the 2025 MCPS Middle School Leader for Emergent Multilingual Learners Award during Forest Oak’s eighth grade promotion ceremony at Gaithersburg High School. She was one of six educators recognized in MCPS this year, along with two other principals and three teachers, for their outstanding work in supporting EMLs. 

“It’s not just my award — it’s a tribute to my incredible staff and community who do this work every day,” Sewell said. “I’m simply the face of it.” 

Since becoming principal two years ago, Sewell has driven significant progress at Forest Oak, where nearly a quarter of the students are EMLs. Under her leadership, English language learners have made gains toward state goals and increased participation in honors courses.

Sewell fosters a schoolwide culture of responsibility for the success of EMLs. “English Language Development (ELD) is not a department — it’s a mindset shared by every adult here,” she said. “Whether you have certification or not, every staff member is an ELD teacher.” 

Together with eighth grade administrator Paula Martindill, Sewell launched “Empoderadas,” an empowerment group created in response to data highlighting the unique social-emotional needs of Hispanic girls. Martindill praised Sewell’s leadership.

“I’m proud to work alongside such a compassionate and patient leader whose kindness inspires us all,” she said.

Nicole Sosik, director in the Office of School Support and Improvement who oversees schools in the Gaithersburg cluster, also recognized Sewell’s impact. “Through her inclusive vision and unwavering commitment to language equity at Forest Oak, she has expanded access to rigorous instruction, fostered schoolwide support and led significant growth for Emergent Multilingual Learners,” she said. 

Sewell is thankful for her staff’s dedication and collaboration. “This work requires empathy, strategy and genuine care,” she said. “Every person here shows up for our students, believing in their potential and helping remove the barriers they face.”

She acknowledges the challenges families overcome. “You leave everything you know because someone said this is a better life,” she said. “Somebody has to care enough to help you get over those hurdles — or even knock them out of your way. That’s what we do here.” 

When asked what advice she would offer other school leaders, Sewell pointed to mindset: “Start with believing in what students can do. If you believe, you’ll do what’s needed to help them succeed.”