2026 Newcomer Network Conference: Full Schedule

11:00am PDT

From Silence to Speaking: What’s Really Behind Newcomer Participation—and What Actually Works

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Newcomer students are often perceived as silent or unengaged, but silence has multiple causes that are frequently misunderstood. This session explores how cultural norms, cognitive overload, prior academic experiences, and emotional factors shape newcomer participation in the classroom.
Participants will learn a practical framework for supporting newcomers through a progression of participation strategies—from nonverbal engagement activities to structured speaking routines,, various pair and group activities with accountability, and eventually independent language production. The session also highlights the strategic use of first language, extended processing time, and culturally responsive practices that build trust and student identity.

Speakers

Marianna Domokos

District ELD Teacher / ELPAC Coordinator, Yosemite Unified School District

Marianna Domokos is an English Language Development (ELD) educator and coordinator with experience supporting multilingual learners in grades K–12. As an English learner herself (L1 Hungarian), she brings a personal understanding of second language acquisition and the strengths... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT
Gomes 3rd Floor

Breakout Session

1:10pm PDT

Foundations for Integrated ELD and Academic Discourse

LIMITED

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

Gomes

Limited Capacity seats available

The Foundations for Integrated ELD (FIELD) breakout session helps teachers integrate language development with rigorous content instruction. Participants learn to ensure access to grade-level content, explicitly teach how English works, and support students in academic discussions.

Through interactive strategies, educators explore oracy, collaboration, and academic discourse focused on multilingual learners. The session emphasizes practical application, modeling, and reflection.

Participants leave with ready-to-use resources, planning tools, and strategies to connect content and language learning, fostering classrooms where academic achievement and language development grow together.

Speakers

Rima Haroun

Coordinator, San Diego County Office of Education

Dr. Rima Haroun is an administrator at SDCOE, championing multilingual learners and their families. A former K–12 teacher and district leader, she has also taught at Chapman University, UC Irvine, and SDSU. Her passion is coaching and supporting educators systemwide to advance asset-driven... Read More →

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

Breakout Session

2:10pm PDT

Supplemental Newcomer ELD at the Elementary Level

LIMITED

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

Gomes

Limited Capacity seats available

Overview of how the Turlock Newcomer program at the elementary level was created and how it has transformed over the years.

Speakers

Erica Maldonado-Higle

Itinerant Supplemental ELD Teacher, Turlock Unified School District

A veteran teacher of 29 years, Erica currently teaches supplemental ELD to Newcomer students in Turlock Unified. Erica has served on the ELPAC Item Review team for Sacramento County Office of Education, is a member of the EBCAN Cohort 5 through Teach Plus, was the English Learner... Read More →

Kelly Villalobos

Itinerant Supplemental ELD Teacher, Turlock Unified School District

A veteran teacher of 30 years, Kelly currently teaches supplemental ELD to Newcomer students in Turlock Unified. Kelly has served on the ELPAC Data Review and Writing Range Review teams for Sacramento County Office of Education, is a member of the CDE Recommended Literature List team... Read More →

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

Breakout Session

3:10pm PDT

Using Data and Primary Language to Create Equitable Core Class Cohorts

LIMITED

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

Gomes

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation equips teachers and administrators with practical strategies for leveraging data to thoughtfully cohort students in core classes while ensuring language access as a foundation for content mastery. Participants will learn how to pull and analyze key data points—including academic performance, language proficiency, and learning needs—to create intentional, ability-based cohorts that support student growth. We'll explore how utilizing students' primary language during instruction removes barriers to content understanding and accelerates language development, particularly during the critical middle school years.

Speakers

Elvira Ledezma

Curriculum Support Provider, Washington Academic Middle School / Sanger Unified

My name is Elvira Ledezma, and I am a Curriculum Support Provider for teachers at Washington Academic Middle School in Sanger, California. I am a passionate Newcomer advocate with 11 years of teaching experience in Language Development. I am a former Emergent Bilingual Change Agent... Read More →

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

Breakout Session

10:10am PDT

Arts on the Plaza: Bringing EL Roadmap Principle 1 to Life Through Visual Art

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am PDT

Gomes

Limited Capacity seats available

Art has the unique power to heal, empower, and build community. "Arts on the Plaza" is an innovative, quarterly lunchtime pop-up that turns the school campus into a celebration of student identity and talent through visual and performing arts. Led by 2025 Teach Plus Change Agent Grant recipient Erin Webster, this session explores how to use creative, student-centered events to build a welcoming and inclusive environment. Discover practical ways to give your students voice and agency while fulfilling Principle 1 of the EL Roadmap by honoring the rich cultural assets of newcomer students.

Speakers

Erin Webster

Illustration Pathway Coordinator / Art Teacher, Washington Union High School, Fresno, CA

Erin Webster is an artist, an educator, and a recipient of the 2025 Teach Plus Change Agent Grant from the Central Valley of California. Holding a master's degree and a single-subject teaching credential in visual art from Fresno State University, Erin is deeply committed to the... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am PDT
Gomes 3rd Floor

Breakout Session

11:00am PDT

Math Multilingual Learner Strategies for Every Classroom

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT

Gomes

Limited Capacity seats available

MLR's combined with ELD standards. Funds of Knowledge. How they look in the class, and how we can help our students as they work through the math. Engage students, promote inclusivity and empower students.

Speakers

Gloria Carrasco

Math Coordinator, Merced County Office of Education

Hola, soy Gloria G. Carrasco. I began my career as a high school teacher at Livingston High, where I spent my years learning and refining the math for our students, I kept up with this as I transitioned to Atwater High. After a few years, I took a big leap into the world of leadership... Read More →

Luz Valdez

Math Coordinator, Merced County Office

Luz Valdez is a math coordinator focused on improving math instruction for multilingual learners. She has experience delivering professional development in mathematics and is passionate about helping educators develop practical skills for incorporating ELD standards into their work... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT
Gomes 3rd Floor

Breakout Session