Scaffolds are not always temporary, in fact for many, they are essential for building student confidence and skills.

In this episode of The Education Table, Katie Novak, EdD⁠ discusses the importance of scaffolding in education, particularly how to increase the effectiveness of scaffolds by utilizing them within the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Novak shares personal anecdotes and research insights on how scaffolds can support student learning and independence. You’ll learn different types of scaffolds—linguistic, conceptual, and socio-cultural—and walk away with practical strategies that educators can implement effectively in the classroom. You’ll also learn how and why we need to gradually release responsibility to our learners to foster student independence.

You'll learn:

• A helpful analogy that breaks down why scaffolds are essential to improving learning 

• The research that supports the use of scaffolds 

• The three different types of scaffolds, and how you can use them in your schools and classrooms 

If you find today’s episode to be interesting or insightful, please share it with one or two educators in your life! Your recommendation is one of the best ways to spread the word and to help fellow educators improve their practice.

And to learn more, head to the show page⁠ to access the transcript and resources: ⁠https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-scaffolds-when-and-how-to-use

Key moments:

• 00:00 Introduction to Scaffolding in Education
• 02:20 Understanding the Types of Scaffolds
• 04:40 Effective Strategies for Implementing Scaffolds
• 08:02 Fostering Independence Through Scaffolding

For more strategies and resources, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Twice-a-month, we’ll deliver the latest updates and tips for creating learning environments where all learners can thrive.  Sign Up: https://info.novakeducation.com/newsletter-sign-up

If you liked this episode, dive in deeper: Listen to Episode 23 Scaffolding Executive Function Skills.

Feedback should never be a one-way street. In this episode of The Education Table Podcast, we’re diving into feedback—what it is, why it matters, and how to do it well. Katie Novak shares a personal story highlighting the pitfalls of unchecked praise and breaks down three types of research-backed feedback. Novak provides concrete strategies for delivering effective feedback, including being specific, ensuring two-way communication, and aligning feedback with clear goals.

Whether you're a teacher looking to support student growth, an administrator or instructional leader aiming to guide your staff, or someone wanting to improve everyday communication, this episode will equip you with essential skills to make feedback more meaningful, impactful, and efficient—in both your professional and personal life.

Access resources, the UDL Look-For Tool, and more on the show page: https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-action-oriented-feedback

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Key Moments:

Rubrics are essential tools for tracking progress and providing meaningful feedback. However, choosing the right rubric and managing it effectively—in a time-efficient manner—is crucial for benefiting both your students and yourself.! In this episode of The Education Table, Katie Novak will share the different types of rubrics, how AI can revolutionize rubric creation, and discuss how to use rubrics in the UDL framework to empower students with frequent feedback and lots of opportunities for revision.

Access resources, a helpful infographic to delineate when to use each rubric, and more on the show page: https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-rubrics

Key Moments:

• 01:42 - Types of Rubrics: Analytic Rubric, Holistic Rubric, and Single Point Rubric

• 05:51 -Strategies for Effective Rubric Use

• 09:29 - Conclusion: Empowering Students with Rubrics

Follow Katie Novak on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katienovakudl/

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https://www.instagram.com/novak_education/

Executive function is one of the most essential skills we can teach our students—it helps them plan, problem-solve, and navigate the world independently. These cognitive processes are critical for fostering purposeful, motivated learners. But here’s the thing: executive function skills don’t just develop on their own. They need to be explicitly taught and scaffolded—for both students and adults.

In this episode, Katie Novak dives into the pivotal role of executive function in education and explains why it’s key to building learner agency. Novak shares personal anecdotes and research-backed insights, highlighting why teaching these life skills is crucial for student success. Plus, she offers three practical, classroom-ready strategies educators can use to scaffold executive function—empowering all learners to reach their full potential.

Whether you’re a teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this episode offers actionable tips to help you support your students (and maybe even strengthen your own executive function skills along the way!).

Access resources and the transcript from the show: https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-executive-functions

Today, we’re talking aboutdata—not just big data (such as test scores and report cards) but the small, everyday data that helps teachers adjust instruction, connect with students, and see the immediate impact of their work. 

Katie Novak will share how teachers can gather this data and then share three action steps that educators, at any grade level, can use to leverage both big and small data in the classroom to make a difference every single day.

View resources and more onthe show page:https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-how-teachers-use-small-data

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the power of AI—not as a replacement for educators but as a game-changing tool to elevate our work.

Katie Novak shares three practical strategies she has used to leverage AI to amplify her efforts, build relationships, and foster inclusive learning environments. She also recounts a personal story about how AI helped her son overcome writer's block and highlights compelling research on the benefits of educators using AI in the classroom.

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel empowered to try these strategies right away, lightening your load while strengthening your practice.

View resources, the episode article, and more on the show page: https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-elevate-design-with-ai

Claim your two bonus chapters! https://info.novakeducation.com/elevating-educational-design-ai-bonus-chapters

Station rotations are one of the most powerful (and realistic) strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners but knowing how to effectively implement it is crucial for its magic to shine through. In this episode, Katie Novak will share a helpful analogy to explain station rotations - a blended learning model that balances explicit instruction, collaboration, and digital learning to meet every student's needs -  how it works. Then she will share compelling research from John Hattie  along with  three effective ways to increase engagement, scaffold lessons tailored to students needs and offer immediate feedback to and from students with the station rotation model. 

To access resources and more, head to the show page https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-station-rotations

In this episode of The Education Table, Katie Novak breaks down the ins and outs of learning playlists, a powerful tool that can transform your classroom. We explore how to blend online and offline learning, leverage existing resources, and scaffold student success. We’ll uncover the secret to creating flexible and structured playlists that empower students to personalize their learning journey while staying on track with tasks and time management. 

This episode is for teachers, instructors, and coaches looking to give students more control of their learning while providing opportunities for educators to meet the individualized needs of their students through personalized check-ins and conferences throughout the learning process. 

To access a playlist template, additional resources, and more, head to the show page https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-learning-playlists

Discover how to elevate your school's instructional practices by empowering your teachers with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). In this episode, Katie Novak  explores the impact of teacher efficacy - not only on students but on staff as well. Novak shares  how to cultivate a culture of belief and competence among your staff while providing insights into effective professional development and support systems. 

Discover how personal and collective beliefs shape student outcomes, explore practical strategies to implement UDL in your classrooms, from flexible learning materials to diverse assessment practices, and learn how to foster a culture of innovation and support teacher growth. Whether you are a seasoned school leader or just starting out in the education space, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools to inspire, motivate, and achieve remarkable results.

Access resources and the transcript from the show: https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-teacher-efficacy

Access the Facilitating Instructional Rounds Protocol: https://info.novakeducation.com/facilitating-instructional-rounds-protocol

Today, math is often still taught the same way it was decades ago, but our students’ needs have evolved, and their performance on standardized tests shows it. We now recognize that learners vary in countless ways, and the idea that “there’s only one way to teach math” no longer holds up. Research shows us that integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles creates more accessible and engaging math classrooms. With UDL, we can shift the narrative for students, helping them discover a love of learning and build confidence in math from an early age. In this episode you’ll learn how UDL plays a vital role in creating inclusive math classrooms for all students in grades K-5, no matter the curriculum you have adopted. 

Katie Novak will share  concrete strategies for effective K-5 math instruction, including how to incorporate inquiry-based learning, building clarity around learning goals, providing options and choices, incorporating visual representations, and promoting self-reflection. 

Dive in deeper and access the resources from this episode: https://www.novakeducation.com/the-education-table-udl-math-k-5