Professional Development

Together, We're Better with illustration of diverse ethnic hands in a circle

Together, We’re Better Learning Series

Creating a community of welcome, support, and belonging for newcomer students and families requires a holistic approach that considers the strengths and expertise of all stakeholders including: refugee families and students, teachers, administrators, scholars, community organization experts and staff, resettlement agencies, and state staff.

Join us in our Pennsylvania Refugee Education Program Learning series—Together We’re Better, to deepen your understanding of best practices in serving newcomer youth and families in your schools and communities.

There is no cost to attend. Act 48 credit available.

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Teaching Migration with Humanity: Storytelling and Belonging

Friday, March 27, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Storytelling is a powerful tool for helping students understand migration, displacement, and belonging beyond statistics and headlines. In this session, author and educator Ruchira Gupta explores how personal narratives can deepen learning, foster empathy, and create a sense of belonging for refugee and immigrant students. Drawing on insights from “I Kick and I Fly” and “The Freedom Seeker”, the talk examines how stories can humanize complex global issues while remaining grounded in classroom realities.

The session focuses on the role of storytelling in teaching migration with humanity, amplifying refugee voices, and thoughtfully integrating diverse texts into curricula. Participants will leave with practical perspectives on using narrative to support inclusive learning environments and strengthen connections across schools, educators, and the communities they serve.

Meet Our Instructor

Ruchira Gupta is an Emmy-winning journalist, internationally recognized anti-trafficking activist, and founder of Apne Aap, an organization that supports women and girls in exiting systems of prostitution. She is the author of “The Freedom Seeker” and the award-winning debut novel “I Kick and I Fly”, and has helped shape major global policies, including the UN Trust Fund for Trafficking Survivors and the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Honored with the French Ordre National du Mérite, the Clinton Global Citizen Award, and the UN NGO CSW Woman of Distinction Award, she holds an honorary doctorate from Smith College and has worked with the United Nations across multiple countries. A senior fellow at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs, she has co-authored As If Women Matter with Gloria Steinem and edited River of Flesh and Renu’s Letters to Birju Babu. She lives between New York and Forbesganj, continuing her activism and painting in her late mother’s garden.

Disclaimer: Learning Series sessions are created by individual providers. The opinions presented herein do not necessarily represent the official stance or policies of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and no official endorsement by the PDE should be inferred.

Recorded Webinars

Together, We’re Better Learning Series Recordings

Legal Rights of Immigrant Students in Pennsylvania Schools

[Recorded January 2026] Receive a legal overview and best practices to create a school environment that respects the rights of immigrant students, and an update on the status of national legal challenges that could impact schools serving immigrant students. In January 2025, the U.S. government rescinded the longstanding “Sensitive Locations” policy, which has resulted in disruptions at schools. We will cover immigrant students’ rights in enrollment, attendance, non-discrimination, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protections, and warrant requirements for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at schools. We will review a model Welcoming Schools policy and protocol.

Presenter: Kristina Moon, Senior Attorney, Philadelphia office of the Education Law Center

Language Justice: The Path to Engaging Communities

[Recorded October 2025] This presentation is designed to equip staff with the knowledge and skills to implement language justice as a key principle for fostering healthier and more equitable communities. Language justice, defined as equitable access to communication and information for individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds, ensures dignity, inclusion, and active family engagement in intervention processes.

Presenter: Amer Al Fayadh, CEO of Communication Essentials LLC

From Conflict to Classroom: The Refugee Journey and Building Belonging in PA Schools

[Recorded May 2025] Learn about the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), common pathways to legal status (including refugees, SIVs, humanitarian parolees, and asylum seekers), and the resettlement services provided upon arrival. We’ll explore how trauma, transition, and strength shape the experiences of newcomer students, and identify actionable ways schools and communities can foster belonging and cultural affirmation.

Presenter: Durre Sharif, Church World Services, Harrisburg

Elevate Your Teaching: Supporting and Welcoming Multilingual Learners to Our School Communities

[Recorded April 2025] Multilingual students bring incredible strengths to our schools – how can we ensure they feel welcomed and supported? Join us for a thought-provoking webinar with an equity-driven leader who will share practical insights and strategies to foster a sense of belonging and academic success for multilingual learners.

Presenter: Mayra Canizales Cruz, The Canizales Group

Download Elevate Your Teaching Presentation PDF

Trauma-informed Engagement for Newcomer Youth who have Experienced Forced Displacement

[Recorded March 2025] In this module, build on your learning from part one by deepening your understanding of trauma and trauma-informed care and identify ways in which we might apply strategies for reducing client stress during service delivery using trauma-informed principles. Examine the effects of trauma and toxic stress on clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, particularly the impacts on children and families.

Presenter: Jessica Dalpe, CARRE

Download Trauma-informed Presentation PDF

Supporting Refugee Youth and Families by Understanding Forced Displacement, Trauma and Mental Health

[Recorded February 2025] Learn the stages of displacement, flight, and refuge, with an emphasis on the stressors experienced at each stage and their impact on mental health across the lifespan. Explore culturally appropriate, strengths-based, and person-centered approaches in addressing displaced and newcomer populations, and gain an introduction to trauma-informed care practices.

Presenter: Jessica Dalpe, CARRE

Download Forced Displacement Presentation PDF

Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to Schools (ARSI S2S) Program Virtual Series

These series were developed by Child Trends, the leading research organization in the U.S. focused solely on improving the lives of children and youth, and supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Afghan Refugee School Impact Support to School program. Each session in the series is designed to serve educators, school administrators, counselors, social workers, and other professional service providers that work with refugee students and their families.

Spring 2024 Series: Culturally Responsive Family Engagement for Afghan Refugee Families

This three-part webinar series, led by Child Trends presenters Yosmary Rodriguez and Cassidy Guros, brings together research, practitioner insight, and family voice to deepen understanding of culturally responsive family engagement with Afghan refugee communities. Across the sessions, participants explore core concepts and research on family engagement, hear directly from Afghan parents and resettlement professionals about navigating U.S. schools, and examine evidence-based strategies educators and organizations can use to build trust, improve communication, reduce barriers to participation, and strengthen partnerships with families. Grounded in equity, relationship-building, and continuous learning, the series supports participants in moving from awareness to action through practical tools, reflection, and strategies aligned with family engagement standards.

Fall 2023 Series: Understanding Trauma and Fostering Resilience When Working with Afghan Refugee Students and Their Families

This three-session webinar series from Child Trends, led by Brandon Stratford and Cassidy Guros, supports educators and youth-serving professionals in strengthening trauma-informed practices when working with Afghan refugee students and their families. Across the sessions, participants build a shared understanding of trauma, stress, and resilience; examine how identity, belonging, and bias shape student and family experiences; and explore practical strategies schools can use to create safe, supportive, and culturally responsive environments. Together, the sessions emphasize reflection, relationship-building, and actionable approaches that promote well-being, belonging, and resilience for students, families, and school communities.