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

Highest Aspirations

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:

• Download the transcript here.

• Learn more about the Multilingual Acculturation Studies for Newcomers course

• Access Multilingual Acculturation Studies Resources

• For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog

• To expand your connection within the Ellevation community by join our ⁠Ellevation Educator Facebook Group.

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.