Transformative Principal

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

Jethro Jones interviews David Gordon, Chief Content Officer of cast. They discuss the 20th and 40th anniversaries of CAST, the evolution of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the impacts of technology, the development of UDL guidelines, and the importance of engagement and collaboration in education.

00:00 Introduction and Recent Updates

00:48 Aspirations and Achievements Over 20 Years

02:36 Technological Advancements and Their Impact

11:02 Publishing and Sharing Knowledge

13:30 Collaborative Efforts and Future Vision

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro D. Jones interviews Corinne Quintana and Mrs. G. from Bishop, California. They discuss their roles in the high school, their experiences with UDL (Universal Design for Learning), and the insights they've gained from attending the UDL conference. They touch on the challenges and strategies for implementing UDL in their school, particularly within the math department, and the benefits of understanding diverse student learning styles.

00:00 Introduction

00:36 Roles and Background

01:24 Reasons for Attending UDL Conference

02:44 Takeaways from the UDL Conference

04:01 Applying UDL in the Classroom

05:49 Personal Insights and Reflections

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

• Everyone should have a coach
• There are people who are viewed as the real pros
• The difference between having a coach and “just getting better”
• The biggest mistake coaches make.
• How to mix the coach’s agenda with what the teacher is doing
• Personal relationship vs. professional relationship
• Focus is powerful. 
• Teacher behavior during a training vs. teacher behavior in classroom.
• Teachers don’t have to be an entertainer. 
• Coaches as a model lesson. 
• Power Phrases and Phrases to Never Say.
• Teacher behavior matches the behavior of the grade they teach.
• Techniques that work regardless of your personality. 
• Coaching cycles are important. Meet, observe, debrief, Check-in
• This is your lesson, do it your way. 
• Coaches need to be smiling during the observation. 
• Debrief - how they evaluated their own lesson. 
• Calibrate with a local coach or administrator. 
• How to be a Transformative Principal? Know that your role is not that of a coach. Coach helps teachers get better. Principal - don’t get in the way! Part of a system of improvement.

About Gene Tavernetti

Dr. Gene Tavernetti has been involved in education for over forty years. He has served as coach, teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. He is the author of Teach FAST, a book about the design and delivery of quality instruction, and Maximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles, a book that answers many of the questions that were left unanswered in most books on instructional coaching. 

In 2006 Gene partnered with his former high school teacher and mentor, Dr. Randy Olson, to found Total Educational Systems Support, (TESS). The focus of TESS has always been training teachers, and those who support teachers, in how to provide the best instruction possible. 

Dr. Tavernetti holds a core belief about children and adults: Given the right environment and proper support, everyone can improve and succeed. This core belief has allowed Dr. Tavernetti to help his students, staffs, teachers, and administrators – with whom he now trains and coaches – to attain the levels of competence they desire.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

Jethro Jones speaks with Donald Walker, National Career Technical Education Trainer at CAST. They discuss the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Career Technical Education (CTE), the use of drones to introduce young girls to STEM, addressing barriers in education, and the empowering aspects of UDL. The conversation also addresses the importance of safety in CTE programs and how UDL helps in engaging diverse student populations.

Get in touch with Donald: [email protected]

00:00 Introduction to Donald Walker and the Role at CAST

01:29 Importance of UDL in CTE

03:08 Using Drones to Introduce Girls to STEM

04:07 Developing UDL-based Curriculum

06:32 Engagement, Representation, and Expression in UDL

11:19 Importance of Safety in CTE

13:54 Liberation Through UDL

17:20 Contact and Further Involvement

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

In this special episode recorded live at the  UDL-Con: International Conference, host Jethro Jones interviews Shelley Berman, Chair of the Board at CAST, about the transformative nature of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). They explore how UDL shifts the educational focus from fixing students to fixing the educational system itself, emphasizing the importance of creating responsive and empowering learning environments.

00:00 Introduction to UDL Con and Shelley Berman

01:36 The Life-Changing Impact of UDL

13:30 Shifting Perspectives from Students to Systems

08:15 The Importance of Knowing the Students

12:47 Creating Empowering Learning Environments

16:48 Making Meaning in Education

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

• Teaching distance before COVID
• English as a foreign language virtually and in person. 
• How COVID remote learning laid the groundwork for virtual wellness
• Student Wellness for the internet
• Developing a personal relationship with AI that is based on curiosity and skepticism. 
• Mindful adoption of technology
• AI as a spectrum
• Where AI brings out YOU!
• It’s not about how you USE this tech, it’s about how it augments you personally. 
• What are the things AI can help you with and what are you already doing? 
• How to be a transformative principal? Bring intention to your digital environments and interactions.  

About Seth Fleischauer

Seth is the president of Banyan Global Learning, which he founded in 2008 after teaching elementary school via NYC Teaching Fellows. With Banyan, Seth helps schools leverage technology for teacher and student wellness, including with AI Literacy PD for teachers and live virtual programs for students. Seth's programs have reached more than 10,000 students on three continents and touched the lives of teachers globally. He is a frequent presenter at elite edtech conferences and the host of two podcasts: "Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast" and "Why Distance Learning?"

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

In this episode Jethro Jones interviews Lindsay Jones, CEO of CAST, during the UDL-Con: International Conference. They discuss the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the significance of in-person collaboration, and CAST's mission for the future.

00:00 Introduction to the UDL Conference

01:11 The Impact of UDL and the Conference Experience

02:16 Future Directions for CAST and UDL Guidelines 3.0

03:49 The Three Main Focuses: Lead, Inspire, Convene

07:23 Real-World Applications and Stories of UDL

09:51 The Importance of In-Person Attendance at the Conference

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST. CAST just released the Guidelines for (Universal Design for Learning) UDL 3.0, which you can find here. If you don't know what UDL is, it's a way to make learning accessible for everyone! You can check out more about the webinars here.

Enjoy this special episode.

In this episode of Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Andratesha Fritzgerald live at the UDL-Con: International Conference. They discuss the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its significance in making learning accessible to all students. Fritzgerald discusses the Instructional Practice Interrogation protocol, explaining how it helps educators identify and address barriers in teaching strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of community in UDL and how traditional practices can be interrogated and adapted for better learning outcomes.

Get in touch with Andratesha: [email protected]

00:00 Introduction to UDL and CAST UDL Con

01:08 Interview with Andratesha Fritzgerald

01:45 Instructional Practice Interrogation Protocol

02:44 Identifying and Addressing Harm in Education

04:42 Setting Up Community for UDL

08:16 Learning Objectives in Inquiry-Based Learning

07:18 Power of Community in Learning

14:58 Closing and Connecting with Andratesha

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

• Vital in an education setting to experience what life is like without a phone
• How you develop character through whether you’re using a phone or not. 
• How to help teachers not be phone police.
• Support throughout the whole process
• Common complaints about schools
• Resetting expectations about structures
• School taking a constructive approach to support student growth and development
• How to do a rollout. 
• Classroom vs. School phone free spaces. 
• Tier 1 support worked better, but needs more communication.
• Accompanied by a strong and clear policy and then following through. 
• More and more students are open to the idea of being phone free. 
• Kids are aware that being connected all the time may not be beneficial.
• Yes, you can teach, but they need to actually do. 
• Clarity and community buy-in. 

Graham Dugoni is the founder and CEO of Yondr. Since starting the company in 2014,

he has been a leading voice in the emerging conversation about the effects of phones

on society and mental health. Graham coined the terms “phone-free spaces” and

“phone-free schools.” He is the product designer of the Yondr pouch and the Home

Tray. His mission-driven mindset keeps the company focused on meaningful ways to

help educators, artists, and organizations worldwide create distraction-free

environments where focus and creativity can flourish without technology. Graham is a

former professional soccer player and a graduate of Duke University.

Please add questions that we would ask here, and you can add anything that you would like to add as well. 

• How did you come up with the idea?
• How did you convert this idea into a business?
• How many schools/students use Yondr, and in how many countries?
• Was there any particular moment which stood out to you early on,  when it became very clear that phone-free spaces would become incredibly important in the future?
• Tell us about the different spaces that Yondr makes phone-free.
• Why do you think phone-free schools are important?
• What do you say to people who say that banning phones in schools does not teach young people how to become responsible digital citizens?
• Yondr is a program and not a product. Why is this an important distinction, and can you explain how this works?
• What do students say about Yondr?

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

• Giving UDL away for free
• Building products through grants
• People think UDL is static, but it isn’t. 
• Identity is important. 
• UDL is human centric, not student centric.
• How UDL invites students to take ownership of their learning experiences. 
• Do you feel behind? 
• “What if I could have gone through school feeling unencumbered?” 
• Expert Learners vs. executive functioning
• Bounded autonomy. 
• Assumptions about student learning. 
• Joy Zabala - You can’t boil the ocean
• UDL Con is an Experience
• AI, Accessibility, 
• UDL Guidelines 3.0
• UDL Con - where the guidelines will be released. 
• CAST.org - check out the projects and resources. 
• How to be a transformative principal? Ghostwalks - walk with nobody there in your school. What is being said by what is on the walls and in the classroom. 

About Bryan Dean

Bryan Dean is CAST's Innovation Specialist. Bryan has been working with hard-to-reach students with emotional impairments, conduct disorder, behavioral difficulties, and low interest for more than 20 years. Bryan has experience designing professional learning around learner experience design, specially-designed instruction, Universal Design for Learning, new teacher induction, Design Thinking, deep learning, and strategies for students in emotional dysregulation. In addition to the designing of professional learning, he has designed virtual learning environments, worked on longitudinal system implementation and design, designed organizational culture and climate/culture change models, and developed a unique UDL coaching system based on appreciative and ontological coaching matrices.

We’re proud to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.