Katie Novak, Ed.D., is an internationally renowned education consultant, author, graduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a former Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts. With 20 years of experience in teaching and administration, an earned doctorate in curriculum and teaching, and eleven published books, Katie designs and presents workshops both nationally and internationally focusing on the implementation of inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), multi-tiered systems of support, and universally designed leadership. Dr. Novak is the author of the best-selling books, UDL Now! A Teacher’s Guide to Applying Universal Design for Learning in Today’s Classrooms, Innovate Inside the Box, with George Couros, Equity by Design, with Mirko Chardin, and UDL and Blended Learning with Catlin Tucker.

 

 

Tara Trainor

For centuries, schools worked well for those students who arrived ready to learn. When students struggled, they were often labeled as disabled or unable to learn - yet research is now clear that our systems create barriers that prevent learning.  Inclusive practices challenge education systems of the past by embracing student variability and proactively reducing barriers to learning. In this series, we will explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework for inclusive education that empowers all students to become expert learners who are purposeful & motivated, resourceful & knowledgeable, and strategic & goal-directed, regardless of their variability, and you will learn how to support your students at home using the best practices of UDL. We will also explore how to navigate your child’s IEP and best support them at home.