How it started
It began with a huddle in the hallway
For years, we watched our newcomer students move through the halls like a small, protective island. They were the first to greet a new face in the office, instinctively grouping at lunch to make sure no one sat alone.
They were already doing the work of inclusion—the system just hadn't caught up to them yet.
When AB 2735 passed in California, and a policy shift threatened to pull these students out of "sheltered" spaces and into the abyss of mainstream classes, they didn't just worry—they came to us in a panic. They told us exactly what it felt like to be a "pariah" in a room where you don’t speak the language. That was our wake-up call. We realized that as educators, our most important job wasn't to "fix" the problem, but to quiet our own voices and finally listen to theirs.
Built by Students, For Students
- The Heart of the Program: This isn't a top-down mandate; it’s the brainchild of the students who lived the struggle.
- Radical Listening: We traded "teacher-led" for "student-empowered," letting those with the lived experience lead the way.
- Pure Heart: Our growth isn't driven by credits or requirements. It’s fueled by the intrinsic pride of students who refuse to let the next "new kid" feel invisible.
Our Co-Founders
Yana Costa
Yana Costa has spent 20 years in education across three continents, with 15 years focused on EML: as a teacher, EL coordinator, and EL department chair.
Yana has created district-wide programs to provide resources to new families, implemented a weekly bilingual tutoring program with Santa Clara University, initiated bi-weekly therapist-led trauma circles, tremendously increased ELAC numbers, and advocated for inclusivity in all classes.
As an ELL student herself, her life’s work has been dedicated to empowering students to overcome language barriers and helping others to understand the trauma and adaptation struggles faced by newcomers. She is honored to be a part of the Newcomer Ambassador Program.
Mindy Trisko
Mindy has been an educator for over 14 years. She is passionate about building authentic connections with and between students, as she believes that when students feel safe and have a sense of belonging, it’s easier for them to learn and thrive.
During her tenure as an educator, she has led numerous initiatives at the school site level, focusing on inclusivity, equity and fostering positive relationships. She was a founding member and content designer for a pilot Advisory Program, intended to promote invigoration, community-building, and student advocacy. She also envisioned and led various Collaborative Action Team (CAT) Groups at her school site to research and implement new strategies to support the diverse student body on campus. These CAT groups included: Abolitionist Educators, Advisory, and Restorative Practices.
She recently earned her M.A. in Emancipatory Leadership from SJSU and is thrilled to be paving the way to equity, belonging, and inclusion through the Newcomer Ambassador Program.