Episode 156 | From Invisible to Valuable: Teaching Students from Refugee Backgrounds w/ Dr. Yacoub Aljaffery

What happens when schools see refugee students through a lens of deficit instead of possibility?

In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán sits down with Dr. Yacoub Aljaffery, author of Narratives of Success and Resilience of Students from Refugee Backgrounds in U.S. Schools: From Invisible to Valuable, to discuss what educators need to understand about refugee students, multilingual learners, and the power of belonging.

Drawing from his own journey as a refugee and educator, Dr. Aljaffery challenges common misconceptions and invites educators to move beyond trauma-centered narratives toward asset-based approaches that recognize resilience, brilliance, language, culture, and humanity.

Together, Roberto and Dr. Aljaffery explore:

• What makes students from refugee backgrounds feel invisible in schools
• How deficit thinking harms students and limits possibilities
• Why multilingualism should be viewed as an asset, not a problem
• The difference between supporting students and “fixing” them
• How current global conflicts and immigration debates impact students in classrooms today
• Practical ways educators can foster belonging and dignity
• What gives Dr. Aljaffery hope for the future

This conversation is a reminder that refugee students do not need pity. They need opportunity, affirmation, and educators willing to see their full humanity.

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