Guided Learning with Jeff Horwitz

This year long interactive professional learning opportunity will expand on the work that we began at our initial PD day this year, exploring how educators can use the framework of UDL in their classrooms to support firm instructional goals, while allowing students to showcase their learning through multiple means. Meeting Dates: October 28th, February 17th, April 14th.

Book Studies

UDL Now! A Teacher’s Guide to Applying Universal Design for Learning in Today’s Classrooms

In the third edition of UDL Now!, Katie Novak provides practical insights and savvy strategies for helping all learners succeed in a post-pandemic world using the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Novak presents examples throughout the book to make the content relevant and digestible. She concludes each chapter with reflection questions to help teachers apply key concepts to their work. This powerful guide for educators covers timely topics including: Supporting UDL within multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), UDL in the service of equity, Recruiting and engaging learners as UDL partners, How UDL and Differentiated Instruction (DI) work together, The role of student choice and voice, What learning expertise really means, Preparing for standardized assessments the UDL way.

UDL and Blended Learning

This approachable, in-depth guide unites the adaptability of Universal Design for Learning with the flexibility of blended learning, equipping educators with the tools they need to create relevant, authentic, and meaningful learning pathways to meet students where they’re at, no matter the time, place, and point of progress. With step-by-step guidance and clear strategies, authors Katie Novak and Catlin Tucker empower teachers to implement these frameworks in the classroom, with a focus on cultivating community, building equity, and increasing accessibility for all learners. As we face increasing uncertainty and frequent disruption to traditional ways of living and learning, UDL and Blended Learning offers bold, innovative, inclusive solutions for navigating a range of learning landscapes, from the home to the classroom and all points in between, no matter what obstacles may lie ahead.

Equity by Design

Equity by Design is intended to serve as a blueprint for teachers to alter the all-too-predictable outcomes for our historically underserved students. A first of its kind resource, the book makes the critical link between social justice and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) so that we can equip students (and teachers, too) with the will, skill, and collective capacity to enact positive change.” This course will introduce educators to Equity by Design by Katie Novak & Mirko Chardin with the intent of developing a culturally responsive and equitable framework for instruction that will serve all students.

Professional Learning Communities

Exploring and Applying the UDL Framework

In this PLC, educators will collaborate to explore a variety of resources that focus on UDL, share key takeaways of their learning, and work to apply their understandings in their classrooms and roles. This facilitated PLC will include research articles, videos, and classroom checklists for teachers to utilize in their practice.

Educator Designed PLC

In this option, educators can work to design their own PLC with the focus on Universal Design for Learning or removing barriers in our classrooms to help all students succeed. Please submit your proposal to your building principal by September 23rd using the link here