Newcomer & Immigrant Teacher Workshop Series
A 5-part virtual workshop series for educators looking to create inclusive, rigorous, community-connected classrooms for their newcomer students and families.
A Practical, Reflective Learning Series — Grounded in What Teachers Are Asking
If you’ve ever asked yourself…
How do I support my students when I know so many have experienced trauma?
How can I engage with students across a language divide—and help them access grade-level content while learning English?
What do I do when students seem disengaged? How can I build on what they already know and care about?
How do I connect meaningfully with families when we don’t share a language or cultural background?
How can I help newcomer students feel more confident and comfortable at school—academically and socially?
…this series is for you.
You don’t need to be a language expert or a mental health professional to make a big difference in your newcomer students’ lives. You just need the right tools, supportive community, and space to reflect on what’s working and what’s possible.
In this five-part series, you’ll build practical strategies to better support newly arrived students—while connecting with other educators navigating similar challenges.
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. This is hard work - and you are not alone!
Workshop Series Overview
We know that supporting newcomers takes more than good intentions — it takes time, tools, and a space to learn with others.
Our five session series includes:
Session 1 – Belonging: Strategies to Build Safety, Trust, and Belonging
Newcomer students often arrive in classrooms carrying past trauma and navigating unfamiliar environments. This session offers concrete practices to create emotionally safe, welcoming spaces where students feel seen, respected, and supported- because learning starts with belonging.
Session 2 – Language: Leveraging Students’ Home Languages for Deeper Learning
You don’t have to speak every student’s language to make it a resource in the classroom. Learn how to honor and build on students’ full linguistic repertoires, even as they develop English—supporting both content access and confidence.
Session 3 – Funds of Knowledge: Integrating Community Strengths into Curriculum
When students don’t see themselves reflected in the classroom, engagement suffers. Explore strategies for tapping into the rich experiences, knowledge, and interests students bring with them and so your curriculum feels more relevant, rigorous, and connected
Session 4 – Family Engagement: Partnering with Families Across Cultures
Building relationships with newcomer families can feel daunting, especially across language and cultural differences. This session helps you develop creative, strengths-based approaches to engage families as essential partners in their children’s learning.
Session 5 – Cultivating Newcomers’ Confidence, Connectedness, and Civic Engagement
Newcomer and immigrant students often navigate systems that limit their voice and agency. This session expands how educators think about citizenship and civic engagement, exploring how students build confidence, leadership, and civic identity through everyday classroom experiences. Participants will reflect on practices that empower or unintentionally disempower immigrant students and learn concrete strategies to support student voice and civic engagement—because students develop as leaders when they see themselves as capable contributors.
A cohesive series that gives you and your team the tools, shared language, and time they need to grow together in supporting newcomer students.
Who is this for?
General Ed Classroom Teachers
Learn practical ways to differentiate and enrich grade-level curriculum so newcomer students feel safe, supported and engaged in learning.
Dedicated EL or Newcomer Teachers
Deepen your strategies for supporting students’ social-emotional needs—not just language development—while growing your toolbox for classroom practice.
School Leaders, Coaches, & Support Staff
Gain shared framing and practical tools to guide, coach, and align schoolwide efforts to better support newcomer students and the educators who serve them.
What Participants Will Gain
Each workshop is designed to deepen your practice, strengthen your connection with students, and leave you feeling energized and equipped to do the work.
Practical strategies and tools you can use right away
A clearer sense of what newcomer students need — and how to help
More confidence navigating language, culture, and trauma in the classroom
A supportive space to reflect, share ideas, and grow with peers
Workshop logistics & registration details
Workshop Session Access
Each session will be held virtually via Zoom, so you will need access to a computer and WiFi service.
Workshop Session Recordings
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 hello@heartwiselearning.org as soon as possible with any disability support requests so we can honor and accommodate them.
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 Kendra Fehrer, PhD, Founder and Principal at Heartwise Learning. Cristina is an experienced educator, trainer, and researcher, who has researched culturally responsive and multicultural teaching practices and immigrant incorporation in schools, as well as advised state policymakers on best practices for English Learners. Kendra is an educator, researcher, trainer, and student support practitioner who has served newcomer students and teachers.
Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to support teachers and students.
