2026 Newcomer Network Conference: Full Schedule

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1:10pm PDT

Narrative Theory: A practical approach to creating healing spaces in the classroom.

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation introduces narrative theory as a strengths-based, culturally responsive intervention framework for school-based practitioners. Participants will learn how students construct meaning through personal narratives and how school professionals can support them in “re-authoring” their stories into more empowering ones.

Speakers

Thalia Guillen, ACSW

Behavioral Health Clinician, Merced County Office of Education

I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) with five years of experience in the mental health field, providing compassionate and culturally responsive support to children, adolescents, individuals, and families. My professional experience spans K–12 school settings, nonprofit... Read More →

Socorro Saavedra, LCSW

Behavioral Health Clinician, Merced County Office of Education

Socorro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she currently works with students K-8 providing individual and family psychotherapy. Socorro has extensive experience working with individuals impacted by trauma who are system involved. Socorro also offers her own experience as an immigrant... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm PDT
Anderson 3rd Floor

Breakout Session

2:10pm PDT

AI Integration for Newcomer Success: Designing Standards-Aligned Learning

LIMITED

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm PDT

Anderson

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores how educators can integrate artificial intelligence into daily practice to design standards-aligned lessons, instructional materials, and resources for newcomer students and multilingual learners. Participants will learn practical ways AI can streamline planning while increasing access to grade-level content.
Aligned with the English Learner (EL) Roadmap, this session highlights how intentional AI integration supports high achievement by building on students’ strengths. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies and tools to enhance instruction and better meet the needs of diverse learners.

Speakers

Juliano Calvo

Teacher, Hoover High School / Glendale Unified School District

Juliano Calvo is a Career Technical Education (CTE) teacher at Hoover High School in Glendale Unified School District. He is a Teach Plus EBCAN, an ELLLI Fellow with CalTog, and serves as a member of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Working Group for guidance for the safe and effective... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm PDT
Anderson 3rd Floor

Breakout Session

3:10pm PDT

Designed to Thrive: The Internationals Network Approach to Newcomer Education

LIMITED

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm PDT

Anderson

Limited Capacity seats available

What does it look like when a school is truly designed for multilingual learners and for the educators who serve them? In this interactive session, participants will examine the Internationals Network's most recent case study of an innovative staffing model in which teachers work in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams with the autonomy to make decisions for heterogeneous cohorts of adolescent Newcomer MLLs. Guided by five research-based principles, this model creates conditions where both students and educators thrive with proven outcomes and strong teacher retention. Participants will explore how to apply these ideas and practical strategies to their own contexts.

Speakers

Kim Frumin

Director of New Partnerships and Wider Impact, Internationals Network for Public Schools

Kim Frumin is the Director of New Partnerships and Wider Impact at Internationals Network for Public Schools, where she works to expand equitable education opportunities for recently arrived adolescent multilingual learners. Most recently, she supported innovative schools and districts... Read More →

Linda Le

Director of School Support, CA, Internationals Network for Public Schools

Linda leads school-support efforts and oversees the delivery of network services in the California Bay Area. Linda is a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, an educator, and a freedom dreamer. She was born and raised in Southern California and earned her bachelor's degree from UC San... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm PDT
Anderson 3rd Floor

Breakout Session