Online Courses
Live Courses
Empowering Multilingual Learners with Adverse Childhood Experiences [Coming Soon!]
One of the most significant challenges facing students across the nation is the high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Nearly half of all children and youth in the United States have encountered trauma, violence, or chronic stress due to abuse, neglect, or other household challenges. In addition to these alarming statistics, many multilingual learners and their families face unique disruptions, including living in war zones, experiencing persecution, undertaking perilous journeys to seek safety in the U.S., family separation, fear of deportation, and homelessness.
Despite extensive resources for counselors addressing trauma, there is a noticeable gap in materials designed specifically for educators working with multilingual learners who have experienced ACEs. This three-part interactive series will address this gap by presenting evidence-based strategies, tools, and examples of instructional and school-wide practices. The three sessions will focus on recognizing and leveraging the strengths and assets of these students and their families to foster a supportive and empowering educational environment.
Self-Paced Courses
Elevating Strengths: Supporting Multilingual Learners Facing Adversity [Coming Soon!]
This self-paced, asynchronous course equips educators with research-based insights, tools, and strategies drawn from Teaching to Strengths: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence, and Chroic Stress by Zacarian et al. Through real-world examples, reflective exercises, and implementation planning, participants will learn to create strengths-based, responsive learning environments that promote safety, belonging, value, and competence—both in school and beyond.
Format: Asynchronous, self-paced. Total Duration: 10 hours (The PD Provider Registry of the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approves this course).
Keynote Addresses and Professional Development Institutes
Dr. Zacarian’s keynote presentations and professional development experiences energize and inspire audiences to champion
multilingual learners. Whether at a conference, summit, or leadership retreat, her interactive sessions blend research-based
strategies, real-world insights, and practical tools. Participants leave motivated and equipped with concrete takeaways to lead
transformative change in their settings.
Sample of Topics
Transforming Schools for Multilingual Learners: Explore inclusive practices that ensure multilingual learners feel safe, valued, and academically empowered.
Teaching to Strengths: Supporting Students Facing Adversity: Learn a strengths-based approach to support learners with adverse childhood experiences.
Beyond Crises: Building Responsive School-Community Partnerships: Build partnerships that move schools from crisis response(s) to lasting transformation.
Teaching to Empower: Cultivating Agency and Purpose: Foster student agency, confidence, and collaboration for academic and social success.
The Power of Partnerships: Engaging Families and Communities – Strengthen student outcomes through responsive family and community engagement.
Unleashing the Power of Academic Language: Apply a research-based four-part framework to build students’ success.
Promoting Student Achievement with Research-Based Tools: Supporting Multilingual Learners’ growth and achievement.
Technical Assistance & Activities
Policy Analysis and Writing
Strategic Planning
Strengthening Instructional Practices (PreK-16)
Leadership & Instructional Coaching
Enhancing Family-School Engagement