In this month’s podcast, Lori Boll, Erin Madonna and Matt Barker explore the challenges of being a Newbie (starting at a new school).

Jon Nordmeyer is the international programs director for WIDA, and will be one of our speakers at our upcoming conference. WIDA provides language development resources to those who support the academic success of multilingual learners.

Dr. Deborah Taub & Dr. Elizabeth Reyes from the TIES Center. TIES Center is the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies.

Zico Luck Elvister is a 17-year-old student at Keningau Vocational College located in the interior region of Sabah, Malaysia. Zico is a student whose main means of communication is through sign language due to a hearing impairment. Despite this, Zico has inspired students of special needs and people from the rural communities in the state with his accomplishments in chess tournaments at the national and international level. He was the 1st runner up of Malaysian Lions International English Chess Competition for special needs category in 2019. He was also the 1st runner up for the same category in the national Malaysian Chess Tournament for the Disabled in 2019. He achieved this feat at such a young age despite coming from an economically disadvantaged and remote area. He has successfully paved the way for other students of special needs to venture into chess tournaments and has revived the community’s interest in the sport.

Dr. Ann Helmus is a clinical neuropsychologist and Executive Director of NESCA (Neuropsychology and Education Services for Children and Adolescents), in its 20th year in Boston.