Yana Costa

Affiliation

Wilcox High School

Biography

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, designed an Academic Support class, and advocated for inclusivity in all classes. As an EML 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.