Michigan Newcomer Summit 2025

Hannah Werth is the School Engagement Coordinator for the Refugee Education Center. She is in her 15th year of working with refugee students and their families. Previous positions include secondary EL teacher and Refugee Foster Care education coordinator. Hannah's adopted brother and foster son both came to the United States through the refugee resettlement program and have informed part of her knowledge about the refugee student perspective. She has been providing professional development and trainings for teachers of refugee students, foster parents, and community members for the past 9 years.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 105 AB

  Effectively Working With Interpreters

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 105 AB

  Welcoming Spaces for Refugee Students

Jenny Nielsen currently serves as the Navigation Services Program Manager at the Refugee Education Center in Grand Rapids. She has extensive experience serving refugees throughout their resettlement journey, having worked in resettlement for 6 years at two different agencies in two different states. Her roles have focused primarily on the health and education systems.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 105 AB

  Effectively Working With Interpreters

Dr. Marie Heath

Educational Consultant

Seidlitz Education

Dr. Marie Heath brings over 30 years of experience in education, having held a variety of influential roles including ESL teacher, department head, compliance facilitator, specialist, curriculum writer, and adjunct professor. Prior to joining Seidlitz Education full-time, she served as the curriculum coordinator for a North Texas school district with over 12,000 multilingual learners. Dr. Heath has deep expertise in working with students from diverse backgrounds, particularly focusing on first-year emergent bilinguals. Her work has been featured in The Middle Level Leader with the article “Successful Middle School Newcomer Programs,” and in ProQuest with her research titled “Texas High School (Im)migrants Negotiation Acculturation: Measuring Bicultural Identity Integration in a New Cultural Context.”

Dr. Heath holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Texas and a Doctorate from Texas A&M Commerce, where her research focused on acculturation among immigrant adolescents and the factors that contribute to successful bilingual and bicultural integration. In 2022, the state of Texas adopted the Multilingual Acculturation Studies course she designed, which provides newcomer high school students with the opportunity to earn graduation credit while receiving social, cultural, and linguistic support.

As the child of an immigrant, Dr. Heath personally experienced the challenges of balancing two cultures and has dedicated her career to helping others navigate the complexities of multicultural identity. She lives in North Texas with her husband, and enjoys spending time with her seven children and six grandchildren.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Big Ten A

  Beyond SEL: Harnessing a Bicultural Superpower Identity through Literacy

With a passion for multilingualism, Kelsey pursued her academic journey at Wayne State University, specializing in ESL and English secondary education. She dedicated over a decade to teaching English Language Development (ELD) to students in a K-12 setting and also as a high school sheltered ELD/ELA teacher before serving as a district ELD teacher leader. During that time, she earned a master's degree in K-12 ESL from Spring Arbor University and is a Trainer of Trainers for SIOP from the Center for Applied Linguistics. Currently, she serves as a Newcomer EL consultant in the School Culture Climate unit at Oakland Schools.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 105 AB

  Preparing Secondary Teachers for SLIFE Newcomers

Dr. Carol Salva

Consultant

Seidlitz Education

Dr. Carol Salva is an author and award winning educator with proven success working with under-schooled, multilingual learners classified as SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education) or ELD (English Language Development) students. Carol routinely works with EL program leaders to support their educators in effective yet practical ways.
Dr. Salva is a Seidlitz Education consultant and a former elementary, middle and high school teacher. She lives with her husband and three children in Texas.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Auditorium

  Techniques for Supporting Content Teachers with Newcomers, Including SLIFE

• 2:15 - 3:30 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Big Ten A

  Seidlitz Presents: Meeting the Needs of Recent Immigrants, Including SLIFE in the 2025-2026 School Year.

Corinne (kuh-RIN) Z. Lyons is passionate about collaborating with fellow educators to reimagine education and ensure equitable access to academic success for marginalized students.

Corinne(she/her/hers) teaches 6th & 7th Grade Language Arts at Sampson Webber Leadership Academy in Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Corinne earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education from Wayne State University, in Detroit, in 2017. She is currently enrolled in their Bilingual Education Education Specialist Certification Program. One of the last members to join the BBE/ESL Cohort from DPSCD, she is studying to take the ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher certification.

Corinne is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ®, the first Greek-letter sorority founded in the U.S. for Black women. She is active with the Eta Iota Omega Chapter, in Inkster, MI. Corinne maintains active membership in the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Chi Chapter. She was the Diversity and Justice Chair with the Michigan Reading Association from 2022-2024. She was honored as their Secondary Educator of the Year Award in 2023. The Ravenclaw is passionate about literature and creativity. She seeks to motivate her students to “take over the world” like her favorite English teacher, Dana Davidson, inspired her to do.

She says Sundays are made for God, innovative lesson planning or studying coffee or tea, and music or Netflix favorites.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 103 AB

  Amplifying Voices: Supporting African American English Speakers through SIOP®

Anne Damiecka holds a master’s degree in Linguistics (TESOL) from the University of Surrey and a graduate certificate in Instructional Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Anne taught EFL in Poland for six years before moving to Houston, Texas, where she was Professor and Lead Faculty of ESOL at Lone Star College for 12 years. She has worked as a TEFL trainer, a CELTA trainer, and recently as a Virtual Educator with the U.S. State Department. Anne has served on the boards of MITESOL and TexTESOL IV as well as on the Conferences Professional Council for TESOL International. Her professional interests include active learning, engaging and inclusive teaching practices, curriculum design, and educational technology.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 103 AB

  Right Tool, Right Time: Choosing Supplementary Materials for High School Newcomers

Nedith is a Mexican creative, photographer, and graphic designer who moved to the U.S. in 2019 to begin a new chapter. As a Concentric Leader and Collective Care Specialist at Treetops, she brings heart and vision to her work with refugee and immigrant communities. Passionate about working with teens, Nedith is dedicated to creating safe, empowering spaces where young people feel seen and supported. Her mission is to uplift women and youth through connection, creativity, and community, building a future rooted in belonging and strength.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 104 AB

  Teen Club: Building Belonging and Leadership for Newcomer Girls

Zakia, a resilient leader and passionate learner from Afghanistan, now building a new life in Grand Rapids. With a background in Communication & Journalism from Kabul University and a strong commitment to education, Zakia brings heart and purpose to every space she enters. As a Concentric Leader and Collective Care Specialist with Treetops Collective, she supports Dari-speaking women and mentors teen girls, creating safe, empowering spaces for connection and growth. Zakia is dedicated to building community, uplifting others, and leading with courage and compassion.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 104 AB

  Teen Club: Building Belonging and Leadership for Newcomer Girls

Amina is a community builder and advocate for belonging. After arriving in the U.S. as a refugee in 2001, she has spent her life turning challenges into opportunities for connection and growth. Her journey includes work in healthcare, public media fundraising, and grassroots leadership. Since joining Treetops Collective in 2022, Amina has risen to lead the Women’s Concentric Program, empowering Somali women to build networks of strength and support. She also serves her community through A Glimpse of Africa, the West Michigan Friendship Center, and as a youth soccer coach. Amina leads with kindness, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 104 AB

  Teen Club: Building Belonging and Leadership for Newcomer Girls

Khalil El-Saghir

Wayne RESA

Khalil El-Saghir is an Multilingual Learner (ML) Consultant at Wayne RESA with over two decades of experience in EL education. He oversees professional development activities throughout Wayne County school districts. Khalil is a highly certified trainer who presents at local and state level conferences and workshops on second language development and acquisition, culture and climate at schools, EL students with suspected disabilities, the SIOP Model of instruction, WIDA standard and assessments, etc. He is a PhD candidate and holds an Education Specialist certificate in curriculum and instruction and a Master’s degree in English as Second Language (ESL).

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Auditorium

  Supporting Multilingual Families Using AI

Beth Gonzalez is Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services at Wayne RESA, Michigan’s largest ISD, serving over 260,000 students. A veteran leader with 20+ years in public education, she champions equity, rigorous instruction, and educator development. She oversees key areas including ML education, early childhood, mental health, and CTE. A Yale Fellow and Curriculum Matters founder, she is pursuing her doctorate at the University of Michigan.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Auditorium

  Supporting Multilingual Families Using AI

Jeff Moore serves as the Director of Instruction for Van Buren Public Schools, where he leads district-wide efforts to improve teaching and learning, with a strong focus on equity, multilingual learner support, and instructional innovation. With over a decade of experience in public education, Jeff brings a student-centered, systems-level approach to building inclusive practices that meet the needs of all learners. He is passionate about fostering culturally responsive environments, and ensuring access to high-quality instruction for every child. Jeff is proud to collaborate with educators across Michigan to shape a brighter future for our newest community members.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Auditorium

  Supporting Multilingual Families Using AI

Sierra Bauman works at the Refugee Development Center (RDC) in Lansing. The RDC serves newcomer families by welcoming them into our community and equipping them to be self-sufficient in their new home. Sierra works across several teams within the RDC, primarily serving as an English Instructor, teaching the beginner-level English class, and a Family Engagement Specialist, assisting families in enrolling their children in public schools. Sierra is also active in the Lansing community as an alumnus of Michigan State University, a member of Kingdom Life Church, and a singer in the Riverbend Voices choir.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Lincoln

  Communication That Cares: Adapt Your Language to Effectively Talk with Newcomers

Erica Hilliker is a middle school EL teacher at Forest Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She holds a Masters of Education in Literacy Studies with an emphasis in TESOL from Grand Valley State University. She also is certified to teach English and Spanish at the secondary level. During her career, Erica has worked with English learners at all grade levels from kindergarten to adult. Additionally, she is a certified SIOP trainer and has led professional developments for teachers throughout the West Michigan area. In 2017, she was selected as the Top Community Blogger for the Teaching Channel for her articles about teaching English Learners. Erica enjoys reading, films, and trying new foods. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband and two school-aged children.

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 104 AB

  From Silence to Sentence: Writing Frames for Newcomer Success

Jennifer Hernandez Ph.D. is the Executive Director of State and Federal Programs at Utica Community Schools where she supports K-12 teachers in implementing culturally responsive asset-based teaching with over 3800 multilingual learners. With over 30 years of experience in education, Jennifer is passionate about providing students with equity and access to education.

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 106

  Translation of International Transcripts

Ardiana Ivanaj is a Multilingual Learner (ML) coach for secondary students at Utica Community Schools, bringing over a decade of experience in English Learner (EL) education. Raised in a bilingual, bicultural household, Ardiana is deeply passionate about empowering educators with the tools and strategies needed to effectively support multilingual learners. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in English as a Second Language (ESL) from Dominican University

• 1:00 - 1:50 PM, Jul 31, 2025 106

  Translation of International Transcripts

Elise White Diaz

Educational Consultant

Seidlitz Education

Elise White Diaz is well-versed in the challenges facing diverse students from difficult backgrounds.

Prior to her work in public education, Elise’s passion for trauma-informed pedagogy began when she moved to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to serve at a school for child laborers in the garbage dump. There she taught bilingual and ESL education at the secondary level, and learned so much from her students who overcame obstacles and went on to college.

Upon returning to the United States, Elise brought her experiences to a diverse district in North Texas. She wove together principles from culturally-relevant, trauma-informed education and language acquisition in innovative ways, bringing dramatic gains in standardized test (STAAR) scores. Soon after, she began to mentor and coach teachers in how to recreate these routines. Elise has served in various roles in Emergent Bilingual education, including co-teaching, instructional coaching, writing curriculum, and offering professional development to Texas schools.

As a consultant for Seidlitz Education, Elise enjoys supporting teachers in their important work of building language and connection across cultures and obstacles. She holds a Master’s degree from Fuller Seminary in Intercultural Studies and lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two children. She is a member of the National Association for Bilingual Education and Women-for-Orphans-Worldwide, and returns to Central America wherever she can.

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 Auditorium

  From Puzzling Behaviors to Emotional Safety: The 4 S’s Routine for Educators

Jessica Alvarez is a current kindergarten teacher and a Masters student at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership and Policy. Her focus is on the intersectionality of special education and immigration. She has been a teacher working for five years with newcomers.

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 103 AB

  Special Education and Newcomers

My name is Jennifer Frankowiak and I’m currently an elementary ELD/Newcomer teacher in West Bloomfield, Michigan. I’ve been an ELD teacher for 7 years. Prior I taught 1st/2nd grade for 11 years and spent 4 years as a reading specialist. I’m married and have a 13 year old daughter. I've had the opportunity to present at the annual MITESOL conference, What's Working with English Learners and local pd within my district and county.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 Lincoln

  Learning Unleased: Engaging Students with Game-Based Strategies

I am a certified Japanese translator and hold the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT N1). I lived in Japan for many years and have taught in both Japanese and American public school systems. I am the founder of Japanese Kids Abroad (JKA), an organization that supports Japanese families in the Metro Detroit area.

JKA’s primary mission is to enrich the lives of Japanese children through community engagement, mentoring, cross-cultural exchange, holiday events, homestay placements, and playdates with American children. For parents, we offer 24-hour emergency interpreting, interpretation for parent-teacher conferences, and access to helpful resources such as used textbooks, educational games, and picture books.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 106

  How To Support Families Abroad: Community, Connection, and Care

Laura Gardner

Founder & CEO

Immigrant Connections

Laura has 20 years of experience working in education, refugee resettlement, and social work. While in education, she worked as a district level manager for immigrant family and community engagement as well as a school social worker. Laura also worked for Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Services (BRYCS) managing their national technical assistance initiative to federal Refugee School Impact Grantees. Laura has facilitated professional development on building the capacity of teachers and school systems to engage immigrant families in their children’s education, language access, cultural competency, equity, unaccompanied immigrant children, immigrant family reunification, and refugee resettlement. Laura holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Laura founded Immigrant Connections in 2017.

• 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 Big Ten A

  Welcome and Keynote Address

Ruth Ramon serves as the Multicultural Education Consultant at Van Buren Tech in Lawrence, Michigan. In this role, she supports multilingual students and their families, as well as school staff, by providing culturally responsive services and resources. She works closely with students from local high school districts who are enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, helping them build essential skills for future success. Ruth’s bilingual and biliterate expertise plays a vital role in fostering effective communication and collaboration among all stakeholders.

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 Lincoln

  Building Bridges to Success: CTE Access for Newcomer English Learners

Laura Kronk serves as the Multilingual Consultant and Instructional Coach for Van Buren County schools and programs. In this role, she provides coaching, direct support, and technical assistance to educators and stakeholders across the county. With over twenty years of classroom experience, extensive expertise in delivering SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) training statewide, and a strong background in working with bilingual students and families, Laura has played a key role in developing initiatives and systems that address the diverse needs of districts.

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 Lincoln

  Building Bridges to Success: CTE Access for Newcomer English Learners

Dr. Su McKeithen-Polish has been in the education field for over 30 years. She works at Macomb ISD for 20 years. Her educational degrees include, MA In Curriculum & Instruction with ESL emphasis and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.

• 10:10 - 11:00 AM, Jul 31, 2025 106

  Mindful Beginnings: Fostering Resilience and Connection in the Classroom for EL and Newcomer Students

Rebecca Elias is a Director of Professional Development for Summit K12. She moved from Puerto Rico to the United States to attend college and continue her studies in the field of bilingual education. She has spent 20 years working in that field in the state of New York to ensure high-quality bilingual programs and programs in English as a new language. She began her career as a bilingual fifth-grade teacher in Buffalo, where she gained experience developing and implementing literacy curriculum and instruction to meet the diverse needs of her students. Among the core philosophical values that have guided her approach to teaching is a belief that all children, irrespective of their background and circumstances, deserve access to authentic literature so that they can become lifelong readers and writers. Rebecca has also served as a regional resource specialist and instructional coach, providing lesson demonstrations and side-by-side coaching as well as implementing literacy programs in bilingual and monolingual K–12 classrooms. She has devoted herself to the belief that English learners achieve when given robust and highly scaffolded learning experiences, supported in both the home and the new language.

• 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM, Jul 31, 2025 104 AB

  Bringing Content and Language Together: Empowering Literacy Success!