Heartwise Presents
Newcomer Teacher Practice Series:
Strategies to Support Newcomer Connectedness, Confidence, and Deeper Learning
A 4-part virtual workshop series for educational professionals looking to support an inclusive, rigorous, community-connected learning environment for their newcomer students and families.Â
March 4th & 20th, April 17th, May 6th
Register Here →
We know you care deeply about your newcomer students.
When you invest in your own practice, you help your students feel supported and see school as somewhere they are accepted and safe. You know that those come first before learning can even take place.
I'm Ready!
So, what can you expect to learn from this workshop series?
How to create spaces of safety and belonging.
All children deserve to be seen, valued, and supported. You’ll learn strategies and techniques to build a learning environment that allows newcomer students to feel safe and included.
How to leverage newcomers’ full linguistic toolbox.
Newcomer students come to us at all different English proficiency levels. Learn how to cultivate deeper learning through differentiated instruction so every student can thrive, no matter where they are in their language-learning journey.
How to integrate newcomers’ diverse funds of knowledge.
Newcomer students are stepping into a brand-new world. Learn how to create an academically rich learning experience that connects to their cultural background.
How to build meaningful connections with newcomers’ families.
A successful educational experience extends far beyond the classroom. Learn strategies to connect with newcomer’s families or caregivers, through relationship-building and classroom learning.
What can you expect from each session?
Learning with and from your peers.
Each interactive session gives you space to listen and learn alongside your peers. Connect with educators who are facing similar challenges, share your own experiences, and gain new perspectives on supporting newcomer students. This workshop series emphasizes activating a powerful peer community, so we can thrive together!
Exposure to wise practices in newcomer education
During each session, you will be exposed to wise practices emerging in the field of newcomer education. We won’t just talk about concepts; we’ll showcase specific teacher moves, lesson plans, and recommended reading lists for instructional content you can use with your newcomer students. Â
Time to experiment with the tools and techniques.
These sessions are more than just presentations. You’ll also have time to reflect on and discuss how the workshop content applies to your own newcomer students so you can tailor the shared strategies to meet your unique student and classroom needs.
“I enjoyed the environment you created and the safe space for conversations.”
-Newcomer Teacher
The Newcomer Teacher Practice Series is designed for:
Teachers of Newcomers
Both new and seasoned educators working with newly arrived students in any classroom setting (newcomer programs, EL classes, or general education).
Instructional Support Staff
Aides and coaches who directly support teachers and newcomer students in the learning process.
School Leaders & Support Staff
Administrators, community school specialists, family liaisons, and other school personnel committed to creating inclusive and supportive environments for newcomers.
Anyone Supporting Newcomer Success
Individuals seeking practical resources, strategies, and tools to best serve newcomer students and their families.
Workshop Dates and Descriptions
Each workshop in the 2025 Newcomer Teacher Practice Series is a stand-alone professional development workshop.
The information you learn is not codependent on the entire series, so you can register for one, multiple, or all workshops and still benefit from them.
March 4th & 20th, April 17th, May 6th
Workshop #1: Creating Classrooms of Safety and Belonging for Newcomers
Date:Â Tuesday, March 4th
Time:Â 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Cost:Â $150 per participant
In this virtual 1.5-hour workshop, you will learn key strategies for creating an inclusive classroom community of safety, trust, and belonging for newcomer students, particularly in politically turbulent times.Â
We provide practical guidance on how to create classroom conditions, routines, and activities that support newcomers’ psychological safety and belonging. Research shows improved attendance, classroom engagement, and deeper learning. Â
By participating in this workshop, you will:
- Understand the landscape of current threats to newcomers’ psychological safety in the classroom and the impact of these threats on academic learning and well-being.
- Learn key strategies to proactively and reactively support newcomers’ safety, belonging, and engagement in deeper learning.
- Practice applying new strategies and problem-solving safety and belonging concerns with a supportive group of peers.
Workshop #2: Leveraging Newcomers’ Rich Linguistic Resources to Support Deeper Learning
Date: Thursday, March 20th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Cost: $150 per participant
In this 1.5-hour virtual workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of leveraging newcomers’ full linguistic toolbox (including knowledge of multiple languages) to support their deeper learning and engagement in the classroom.
The session will outline the mindsets, conditions, and strategies for creating a linguistically inclusive learning environment while also supporting newcomers’ English acquisition, engagement in relevant academic content, and socio-emotional development.
By participating in this workshop, you will:
- Understand the latest research on language development and usage for newcomer students.
- Reflect on existing school and classroom language practices and their impact on newcomers.
- Learn new asset-based strategies to leverage students’ full linguistic toolbox in classroom activities while supporting their emerging plurilingualism, academic learning, and connectedness.
- Practice applying new strategies in a supportive community of peers.
Workshop #3: Embracing Newcomers’ Funds of Knowledge to Create Inclusive and Rigorous Classrooms
Date: Thursday, April 17th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Cost: $150 per participant
In this virtual workshop, you will learn about the many funds of knowledge newcomers bring to the classroom, how to identify their students’ individual and community funds of knowledge, and how to incorporate them into rich classroom learning experiences.
You will gain key insights, strategies, and concrete tools to support them in creating relevant and rigorous learning experiences for newcomers and all students.
By participating in this workshop, you will:
- New insight into the numerous sources of knowledge that newcomers bring with them to the classroom that are often untapped by educators.
- Specific strategies for identifying newcomers’ funds of knowledge and documenting them to maximize planning.Â
- Lesson planning tools to help incorporate newcomers’ funds of knowledge into relevant content while also building confidence and growing classroom connections.
- Practice utilizing new tools and strategies among a supportive community of peers.
Workshop #4: Engaging Newcomer Families in Classroom Learning and Beyond
Date: Tuesday, May 6th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Cost: $150 per participant
In the final virtual workshop of this series, you will learn new ways to engage newcomer families and caregivers in rich, relevant, community-connected learning experiences for students.
We will do a deeper dive into newcomers’ funds of knowledge, focusing on familial funds of knowledge and proving concrete strategies for integrating family funds of knowledge into learning activities that support greater engagement, develop multicultural competencies, and build school and classroom connection.
By participating in this workshop, you will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of why integrating family funds of knowledge supports newcomer students’ engagement and deeper learning.
- Learn concrete strategies and sample activities for connecting with newcomer families and integrating family funds of knowledge into classroom learning.
- Practice planning for how to integrate these strategies into your specific context.
How You’ll Spend Your Time
These interactive, virtual workshops include:
Direct Instruction and Practice Time
A combination of direct presentation, videos, opportunities for discussion and reflection, and “practice time” to apply new skills with colleagues.
Join us virtually
Each session will be on Zoom so you can join us from your classroom or cozied up on the couch with your favorite snacks.
Goodies & Takeaways
After the sessions you will receive presentation slide decks, strategy handouts, practice scenarios for teachers, and other resources and tools relevant to the workshop.Â
Recording
You will also receive a recording of the session, valid for 30 days so you can rewatch those strategies you are excited to try with your newcomer students.Â
Meet the Workshop Facilitators
Cristina Lash & Kendra Fehrer
Each virtual workshop session in this Newcomer Teacher Practice Series is facilitated by Cristina Lash, PhD, a Senior Associate at Heartwise Learning and expert on supporting immigrant students and families, and Kendra Fehrer, PhD, Founder and Principal at Heartwise Learning.Â
Cristina is an experienced educator, trainer, and researcher, with special expertise in how schools can best serve immigrant students and families. She has published numerous scholarly and practitioner-facing articles on culturally responsive and multicultural teaching practices, immigrant incorporation in schools, and supports for newcomer students. Cristina has also advised state policymakers on best practices for English Learners.Â
Cristina received her PhD in Sociology of Education from Stanford University, her MA in Education and Social and Cultural Studies from UC Berkeley, and her BA from Stanford University in Comparative Literature.
Kendra collaboratively leads the Heartwise Learning team’s strategic direction, external relationships, and business development while stewarding project work in the areas of community schools, school-based mental health, newcomer supports, and family engagement.Â
Kendra earned her PhD in Anthropology from Brown University and her BA and MA in International Development, Community, and Environment from Clark University.
Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to this workshop series.
Important Workshop Details
Workshop Session Access
Each session will be held virtually via Zoom, so you will need access to a computer and WiFi service.Â
Workshop Session Investment
- Cost per session: $150 per participant
- Cost to purchase all 4 sessions: $525
- Discounted group rates per session (groups of 5 or more participants) contact [email protected] for pricing
Workshop Session RecordingsÂ
Workshop recordings will be provided post-session to all registrants in the event that you cannot attend live or would like to re-watch it. You will have access to the recording for 30 days after the session.
Accommodating Participants with Disabilities
Heartwise Learning is an inclusive organization that strives to provide fair and equal access to all participants. Please contact [email protected] as soon as possible with any disability support requests so we can honor and accommodate them.Â
Newcomer Teacher Practice Series:
Strategies to Support Newcomer Connectedness, Confidence, and Deeper Learning
Register for your session(s) today and create real change that addresses the real needs of your newcomer students.Â
Workshop 1:Â Creating Classrooms of Safety and Belonging for Newcomers
Learn key strategies for creating an inclusive classroom community of safety, trust, and belonging for newcomer students, particularly in politically turbulent times.
Date:Â Tuesday, March 4th
Time:Â 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Workshop 2: Leveraging Newcomers’ Rich Linguistic Resources to Support Deeper Learning
Learn the fundamentals of leveraging newcomers’ full linguistic toolbox (including knowledge of multiple languages) to support their deeper learning and engagement in the classroom.
Date: Thursday, March 20th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Workshop 3: Embracing Newcomers’ Funds of Knowledge to Create Inclusive and Rigorous Classrooms
Learn about the many funds of knowledge newcomers bring to the classroom, how to identify their students’ individual and community funds of knowledge, and how to incorporate them into rich classroom learning experiences.
Date: Thursday, April 17th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Workshop 4: Engaging Newcomer Families in Classroom Learning and Beyond
Learn new ways to engage newcomer families and caregivers in rich, relevant, community-connected learning experiences for students.
Date: Tuesday, May 6th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 Pacific Standard Time
Purchase all 4 workshops and SAVE $75!
Workshop 1:Â Creating Classrooms of Safety and Belonging for Newcomers
Workshop 2: Leveraging Newcomers’ Rich Linguistic Resources to Support Deeper Learning
Workshop 3: Embracing Newcomers’ Funds of Knowledge to Create Inclusive and Rigorous Classrooms
Workshop 4:Â Engaging Newcomer Families in Classroom Learning and Beyond
