La Cosecha Dual Language Conference

Supporting Newcomers in Dual Immersion Schools

Presented at the La Cosecha Dual Language Conference 2025

Presented by:

• ‍Dr. Laurie Olsen, SEAL founder‍
• Heather Skibbins, SEAL Associate Director

Newcomers enrich our classrooms — but are we truly prepared to meet their unique needs?

Join SEAL experts Dr. Laurie Olsen and Heather Skibbins  for a dynamic session designed for dual-language and dual-immersion educators, administrators, and school leaders committed to multilingual learner success.

Newcomer students bring diverse experiences, global perspectives, and tremendous potential — yet they also face challenges adjusting to new academic, linguistic, and cultural environments. This interactive session will help you:

• Understand the developmental stages, strengths, and stressors of newcomer students
• Identify strategies to prepare your school community before newcomers arrive
• Apply practical approaches that foster inclusion, academic engagement, and belonging during the first critical year
• Strengthen your dual-language program’s capacity to serve all multilingual learners effectively

Grounded in SEAL’s research-based professional learning approach this session offers actionable insights that transform how schools welcome, support, and empower newcomer students to thrive.

📅 Add this session to your La Cosecha 2025 schedule and learn how to create classrooms where newcomers feel seen, valued, and ready to succeed.