PELH empowers educators to support refugee learners

Diverse students learning together

ASU is helping educators meet the needs of refugee learners through assets-based professional learning that removes barriers and fosters belonging.

With global conflict displacing over a million students, U.S. schools are increasingly welcoming refugee learners—students who bring deep resilience, multilingual assets and a strong desire to succeed. But many face challenges such as interrupted schooling, unfamiliar systems and limited access to courses designed for English-language learners. These barriers can make it difficult to build durable skills and fully participate in academic and social life.

To help educators respond with equity and intention, Arizona State University has launched professional learning courses through the Professional Educator Learning Hub (PELH). Offered by ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, PELH provides free, flexible, short-format courses that equip educators to design inclusive classrooms for refugee and multilingual learners.

One foundational strategy is assets-based pedagogies—an approach that centers learners’ strengths, backgrounds and lived experiences as starting points for engagement. Courses in the hub support culturally responsive teaching, family involvement and equitable access to advanced coursework. These tools help educators create environments where all students—especially new arrivals—feel seen, supported and capable.

PELH also reflects ASU Learning Enterprise’s broader commitment to adaptability, workforce readiness and learner-centered design. It aligns with initiatives like Universal Pathways and Accelerate ASU, which offer flexible, affordable on-ramps to college credit for high school students—ensuring refugee and multilingual learners are not only included, but empowered to thrive.

Key features of the PELH program include:

  • Introductory micro-courses on inclusive teaching practices
  • Facilitated and self-paced options to fit educator schedules
  • Future expansions in 2025 that deepen focus on multilingual learning

By helping teachers adapt their instruction to meet students where they are, ASU is creating ripple effects across classrooms and communities—building educational systems that welcome, include and uplift every learner.

Explore free, assets-based educator courses at the ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub. Learn more about this program and how it aligns with the mission of Accelerate ASU.