S13/E9: Supporting newcomer students through acculturation with Dr. Marie Heath

S13/E9: Supporting newcomer students through acculturation with Dr. Marie Heath

Author: Ellevation Education December 11, 2024 Duration: 47:43

Newcomer students face unique challenges as they adjust to life in a new country, culture, and educational system. Dr. Marie Heath, an international educational consultant with over 30 years of experience, joins Highest Aspirations to share her expertise on acculturation and bicultural identity. Drawing from her own experience as the child of an immigrant and her doctoral research at Texas A&M Commerce, Dr. Heath discusses strategies for helping newcomer students build their bicultural identities while navigating the complexities of their new environment.

In this episode, Dr. Heath explores the importance of creating a welcoming space, building connections between schools and families, and equipping students with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. From developing systematic approaches to supporting newcomers to celebrating their strengths and unique contributions, this conversation provides actionable insights for educators dedicated to fostering inclusive classrooms.

Key questions we address:

  1. How can educators help newcomer students build bicultural identities while easing their transition into a new school environment?

  2. What strategies can schools use to engage newcomer families and create stronger school-community connections?

  3. Why is it critical to address students’ emotional and cultural needs alongside academic goals, and how can teachers achieve this balance?

For additional episode and community resources:

Dr. Marie Heath is an international educational consultant with over 30 years of experience in education. She earned her doctorate from Texas A&M Commerce, focusing on acculturation for immigrant adolescents and successful bicultural and bilingual integration. Growing up as the child of an immigrant, Dr. Heath understands the complexities of navigating multiple cultural worlds and has dedicated her career to what she calls “the beautiful art of grafting multicultural identities.”

Today, Dr. Heath works to help newcomer students and their families adjust to new cultural, linguistic, and academic environments, offering practical tools for fostering resilience and celebrating diversity.


At the heart of Highest Aspirations are the voices and stories of English Language Learners, a dynamic and fast-growing part of the student population. Created by Ellevation Education, this podcast moves beyond theory to explore the real-world experiences shaping classrooms today. Each episode connects you directly with educators who are in the trenches, students navigating dual languages, and researchers translating data into practical strategies. You’ll also hear from families and community advocates, whose perspectives are crucial yet often overlooked. These conversations collectively tackle a central question: how do we build systems that genuinely allow every student to thrive? Rather than offering simple answers, the series delves into the complexities of policy, instructional practice, and cultural belonging. It’s a space where the vibrant ELL community gathers to discuss both challenges and breakthroughs. Tuning in provides a nuanced look at the evolving landscape of education, emphasizing actionable insights and shared humanity. The Highest Aspirations podcast ultimately serves as a thoughtful forum for anyone invested in creating more equitable and effective learning environments for all.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Highest Aspirations
Podcast Episodes
Centering indigenous voices in education with Georgina Owen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:47
In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Sandra Medrano-Arroyo speaks with Georgina Owen, Indian Education Coordinator at the Colorado Department of Education, about advancing authentic and equitable education for Native…
Effective coaching for teachers of English learners with Paula Polk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:41
In this episode of Highest Aspirations, Sandra Medrano-Arroyo speaks with Paula Polk about her journey from classroom teacher to language coach and district leader. Paula shares insights on coaching with integrity, empat…
Organizing a summer newcomer program with Sarah Whitfield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:13
In this episode of Highest Aspirations, we speak with Sarah Whitfield, an ML Instructional Specialist, about the summer Newcomer Academy she directs. Sarah shares the intentional structure of the program, which is design…
Creating authentic learning experiences for ELs with Dr. Carol Salva [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:38
Season 15 of Highest Aspirations begins with Dr. Carol Salva, author of Boosting Achievement. In this episode, Dr. Salva shares updated strategies from the new edition of her book designed to support English learners, ne…
Igniting real change for English learners with Carly Spina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:01
This episode of Highest Aspirations features Carly Spina, an author and passionate advocate for English learners, as she shares her inspiring journey and groundbreaking work.Join us to hear how Carly's upbringing profoun…
Connecting with students from hard places with Elise White Diaz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:40
Elise White Diaz, a passionate advocate for trauma-informed multilingual education, joins Highest Aspirations to discuss practical strategies for connecting with and supporting students who have experienced trauma or com…