Supporting Newcomer Students: Language Acquisition, Learning Disabilities, and Family Engagement (Series Begins Jan. 12, 2026)

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

Speaker

Lisa A. Kingkade, LMHC, M.Ed.

Description

This webinar equips educators with the knowledge and strategies needed to support newcomer students by addressing their unique academic, emotional, and linguistic needs. It begins with an exploration of the cultural, psychological, and migration-related challenges these students face, along with approaches to creating inclusive, welcoming classrooms. Educators will delve into the stages of second language acquisition (SLA), gaining a clear understanding of the difference between social and academic language, and how to effectively support language development in the classroom. The program also provides guidance on distinguishing language acquisition challenges from learning disabilities, with strategies for early identification and targeted interventions. A strong emphasis is placed on engaging families from diverse backgrounds, highlighting effective communication methods and the importance of building trust. Finally, a holistic, collaborative approach is introduced—one that integrates language development, learning support, and family engagement to ensure each student’s academic and social-emotional success.

Participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5 to receive PDPs and CEUs. Within 24 hours of the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

The session will delve into cultural considerations and the emotional and psychological challenges that newcomer students often face when adjusting to a new educational system. Special attention will be given to how migration impacts the educational experiences. This session will also cover the various stages of language acquisition and the importance of culturally responsive teaching in addressing these stages. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the backgrounds and challenges that newcomer students experience, as well as practical strategies to create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment.

This session will focus on the process of second language acquisition (SLA) and the common challenges newcomer students face as they learn a new language. The session will cover the different stages of SLA, highlighting common hurdles such as vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension. Participants will also learn the difference between social language (BICS) and academic language (CALP), and why this distinction is crucial for supporting newcomer students. The webinar will provide strategies for assessing students’ language proficiency and offer practical techniques to support language development within the classroom.

The session will address the crucial topic of identifying and addressing learning disabilities in newcomer students. It will distinguish between language acquisition challenges and actual learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD, and other conditions that can affect academic performance. The session will emphasize the importance of early identification and offer insight into the common signs of learning disabilities that may manifest in newcomer students. Participants will gain practical strategies to differentiate instruction and provide tailored support for students who may be struggling due to a learning disability.

Family engagement plays a critical role in the success of newcomer students, and this webinar will highlight why it is essential to involve families in the educational process. The session will focus on building trust with families from diverse cultural backgrounds and understanding the unique challenges they face, particularly in terms of language barriers. Participants will be provided with best practices for communicating effectively with families, including how to create accessible channels of communication for non-English-speaking parents. The webinar will also discuss how educators can partner with families to support both the academic and social-emotional growth of their children.

This session will begin by outlining how language development, learning disabilities, and family engagement are interconnected and how a lack of synergy in these areas can hinder student progress. It will also focus on collaborative methods, showing how educators, special education specialists, and family members can work together to support the whole child. This will include methods for clear communication and goal-setting with families, especially those who may face language barriers themselves. We’ll cover how schools can bridge gaps by offering translated resources, using interpreters effectively, and setting up family engagement programs that encourage participation, even when families may not be familiar with the educational system

About the Speaker

Lisa Kingkade, LMHC, M.Ed., (she/her) is a dedicated educational leader with over two decades of experience in supporting the social and emotional well-being of students. Until recently, she worked within the Milford Public Schools system, where she held a variety of key roles, including adjustment counselor at Milford High School, Assistant Principal of Stacy Middle School, Assistant Principal of Woodland, and ultimately, Director of Social Emotional Learning. Throughout her career, Lisa demonstrated a strong commitment to equity, serving also as the District McKinney-Vento/Foster Care Liaison, 504 District Coordinator, and Civil Rights Coordinator, working to ensure all students had access to the resources they needed to succeed. 

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

 

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All sessions are 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

  • Session 1: January 12, 2026, Understanding the Unique Needs of Newcomer Students
  • Session 2:  January 26, 2026, Language Acquisition Challenges in Newcomer Students
  • Session 3: February 2, 2026, Identifying and Addressing Learning Disabilities in Newcomer Students
    Interventions for At-Risk Students
  • Session 4: February 9, 2026, Family Engagement: The Key to Success for Newcomer Students
  • Session 5: February 23, 2026, Holistic Approaches: Integrating Language Development, Learning Disabilities, and Family Engagement