Target Audience: Teacher Teams and Building-Based Teams including special educators, paraprofessionals, coaches, etc.

The UDL Framework was designed to help educators design environments that are accessible to all learners so every learner can gain the traits of an expert learner. While the framework was not designed through the specific lens of culturally responsive teaching, this year-long workshop will guide educators to (a) identify, reflect on, and implement instructional and environmental design options that are culturally responsive, (b) ensure those options are truly accessible to all learners, and (c) ensure the implementation of those options provide pathways toward the traits of expert learners.

Though the associated book for this training has a focus on English language learners, the structure and information within the book is grounded in and specifically addresses the foundations and application of critical culturally responsive teaching. The training is also grounded in the works of others including (but not exclusive to) Wayne Au, Andrea Fitzgerald, Paulo Freire, Geneva Gay, Zaretta Hammond, Gloria Ladson-Billings, Gholdy Muhammad, and Luis Moll.

Opening Session Face-to-face Sept 23

Goal: See the framework as a tool to design culturally responsive environments

The day will alternate between gaining information and directly applying that information to your learning environment. We’ll look at:

· The lens through which we look

The impact culture has on how we see the world

o How we find meaning

o How we find understanding

o How we communicate

Surface, shallow and deep levels of awareness

Personal investigation

· A brief overview of the UDL framework

o The underlying components

o The layout of the Guidelines

o Understanding the purpose – expert learners

· Understanding the dimensions of culturally responsive teaching – active participation in a crosswalk

o Using the associated text (Culturally Responsive Design For English Learners: The UDL Approach)

· a takeaway strategy

o Finding the right next step

Looking at an implementation plan and expanding it to include CRT practices
Examining a current curriculum to identify specific CRT practices to enhance associated lessons
Examining behavior plans/systems using the lens of CRT

Begin establishing a plan for sharing and implementation

3 "Live Virtual Sessions" November 16, January, 17 and March 16 ( will be recorded for those who can't make it)

*90 minute sessions with content extensions, practical applications and book talk.

AND

*45 minute Team Consultations with Loui scheduling first 2 weeks of April

Goal: To identify silent barriers to learning and use the UDL framework to eradicate them.

Topics will include:

· Identifying and upholding funds of knowledge

· Designing to decrease the hidden curriculum

· Allowing for and embracing growth mindset

· Designing your transitions

· Add this information into the implementation plan

Closing Session Face-to-face May 11

Goal: To apply what we know about the brain to the design of your environments.

They day will be filled with mini-lessons about how the brain works and then teams will apply that information to their settings.

We’ll look at important topics like:

· Captivating attention

o How does culture impact engagement?

· Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

o How to support motivation in our learners

· Developing the brain networks

o Using the richness of culture to develop brain networks

o Add this information into the implementation plan

Year 2: 20 hrs. Prof. Learning

Opening Session - Sept. 23, 2022 9 – 3:30 Hampton Inn Conference Center, Colchester

Virtual Sessions: 3 "Live Virtual Sessions" November 16, January, 17 and March 16 ( will be recorded for those who can't make it) *90 minute sessions with content extensions, practical applications and book talk.

Team Consultations: *45 minute Team Consultations with Loui scheduling first 2 weeks of April Goal: To identify silent barriers to learning and use the UDL framework to eradicate them.

Closing session - May 11, 2023 9 - 3:30 Hampton Inn Conference Center, Colchester

*includes meals when in person and her book: Culturally Responsive Design For English Learners: The UDL Approach

Cost:

5 person team price $3500

Individual price $800

Facilitator:

Loui Lord Nelson, PhD is the Educational Consultant and owner of the UDL Approach, an international leader in universal design for learning (UDL) implementation. She is the author of three books and a card game about UDL and hosts the popular podcasts “UDL in 15 minutes” and “UDL Research in 15 minutes.”

Loui Lord Nelson-Using UDL to Reach All Learners, A Culturally Responsive Design