2026 Newcomer Network Conference: Full Schedule

11:00am PDT

ELPAC Essentials: Connecting Classroom Language to Authentic Readiness

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

Limited Capacity seats available

Many teachers and students are unfamiliar with the ELPAC task types and the language skills they measure. Awareness changes everything. ELPAC Essentials helps teachers understand how ELPAC tasks reflect real classroom language use, and how to build those skills through daily lessons. Students learn what to expect, gain confidence, and see how the test connects to their learning. The result is stronger instruction, empowered teachers and learners, and authentic readiness that goes beyond the test.

Speakers

Jamey Goulet

Academic Officer, Teacher Created Materials

As an Academic Officer for Teacher Created Materials, Jamey Goulet leads teacher training sessions and collaborates with school districts for instructional planning while also assisting in the development and alignment of educational content. Jamey is an accomplished educator with... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT
Stockard 20

Breakout Session

1:10pm PDT

A Whole New World: Preparing Newcomer Students for Classroom Success

LIMITED

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

Stockard

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session National Geographic Learning will present ideas to engage middle and high school newcomer students with the basic academic language and literacy skills they need. Attendees will leave this session with strategies they can implement in class immediately. They will also be given copies of brand-new materials for students ranging from learning the alphabet to building an understanding of content area vocabulary.

Speakers

Robin Amrine

National K-12 MLL Content Specialist, National Geographic Learning/Cengage

Robin Amrine holds a MA in Bilingual and Multicultural education and has worked as a K-8 teacher, Adult ESL instructor, teacher trainer, educational consultant, and adjunct professor for the Teacher’s College at Western Governors University. As an educational consultant, Robin... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm PDT
Stockard 20

Breakout Session

2:10pm PDT

Meeting Newcomers Where They Are: Video-First Learning for ELL Students

LIMITED

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

Stockard

Limited Capacity seats available

Newcomer students often arrive mid-year, mid-unit, and mid-language acquisition. Traditional text-heavy curriculum forces them to learn English before they can access content, leaving them behind in core subjects. This session explores how video-first, self-paced curriculum changes that equation by letting students build comprehension visually while developing language. We'll look at real classroom examples, scaffolding strategies that pair video with language support, and what districts serving newcomer populations are doing to close the gap faster. Whether you're an ELL teacher, instructional coach, or admin, you'll leave with practical ideas you can use immediately.

Speakers

Albert Kim

Account Executive, subject.ai

Albert Kim is a Senior Account Executive at Subject, passionate about transforming the way K–12 districts experience online learning. He partners with district leaders to bring engaging, video-first curriculum and turnkey virtual programs to life — driving better student outcomes, exp... Read More →

Christian Ramos

Senior Account Executive, Subject.ai

Christian Ramos is a Senior Account Executive at Subject, partnering with K–12 districts to reimagine online learning through engaging, video-first curriculum and turnkey virtual programs. He works with district leaders to improve student outcomes, expand access, and streamline... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm PDT
Stockard 20

Breakout Session

10:10am PDT

Cultivating Success for Newcomer & Multilingual Learners with Imagine Learning

LIMITED

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

Stockard

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how Imagine Language & Literacy helps educators cultivate language development, literacy growth, and academic confidence for newcomer and multilingual learners. This session will explore the program’s embedded supports, including scaffolds, home language resources, offline tools, and personalized learning pathways designed to meet students where they are. Participants will learn how to leverage these supports to create inclusive learning experiences that accelerate language acquisition while providing meaningful access to rigorous academic content.

Speakers

Alexandra McCarthy

National Curriculum Consultant, Imagine Learning

Alexandra McCarthy holds a Master of Education and brings more than a decade of experience, with a focus on elementary and TESOL instruction. Since joining Imagine Learning in 2018, she has supported large-scale implementations and now specializes in consulting with district leaders... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am PDT
Stockard 20

Breakout Session

11:10am PDT

Scaffolding for Success: Practical Strategies for Newcomer Classrooms

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm PDT

Stockard

Limited Capacity seats available

Newcomer students bring linguistic and cultural assets, yet require intentional systems to access rigorous, grade level content. This session provides a practical framework for supporting Newcomers through integrated ELA/ELD instruction, structured academic discourse, and targeted scaffolds aligned to the California ELA/ELD Framework and EL Roadmap. Participants will engage in real world strategies including sentence unpacking, vocabulary development, academic discourse, and scaffolded writing to support immediate classroom application. The session also highlights the role of data, including ELPAC, in informing instruction and accelerating language development.

Speakers

Shelby Huerta

ELA/ELD Coordinator, Merced County Office of Education

Shelby Huerta is an experienced educational leader with over 25 years in public education, specializing in English Language Arts and English Language Development. She has served as a teacher, instructional coach, site administrator, and county level coordinator, collaborating in the... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm PDT
Stockard 20

Breakout Session