IRIS Priority Practice Series #3: Universal Design for Learning
Event Date:
IRIS Priority Practice Series #3: Universal Design for Learning
This Prep Talk will highlight CAST and IRIS resources about the Universal Design for Learning framework.
When: 1 pm ET/noon CT, Monday, November 6, 2023
Learn more about Universal Design for Learning: Check out the CAST website for more information on the Universal Design for Learning framework and the UDL Guidelines. You can read more about UDL in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and other legislation on CAST’s UDL in Public Policy web page.
Register Here:
https://vanderbilt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApf-ippz8jG90mmls8De36iAz05xX-mwDT
Meet Our Experts:
CAST Staff
Susan Shapiro – In her role as an Implementation Specialist, Susan partners with educators to implement the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to practice. Before coming to CAST, Susan was on the faculty at Plymouth State University where she designed and coordinated a graduate teacher certification program and taught graduate and undergraduate courses about inclusive elementary education. For over twenty-five years, Susan has consulted with in-service educators on issues related to inclusive learning design in her roles at both the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UCED) and at the University of Vermont’s Center for Disability and Community Inclusion (UCED). She has presented nationally and internationally and co-authored books, chapters, and teacher resources on this topic. Susan taught as an adjunct professor in the Special Education Department at the University of New Hampshire’s Graduate School for nearly a decade. Her earliest jobs were in public elementary schools where she worked as a special educator, a general education classroom teacher, and as one of New Hampshire’s first Inclusion Facilitators.
Shauntā L. Singer – As a Research & Development/Professional Learning Junior Research Scientist, Shauntā Singer supports CAST’s Research & Development projects as well as the Professional Learning team, connecting the work in both departments to enhance the research-to-practice loop within our organization. Prior to joining CAST, Dr. Singer was an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at Texas A & M University, AgriLife Extension. She directed, supported, and managed programs that prepared individuals with disabilities for independent living, viable employment, and self-advocacy. She also found ways to “infiltrate” the higher education learning environment with presenting information on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Before entering the higher education arena, Dr. Singer was a Regional Education Specialist, district-level Special Education Instructional Coordinator, Director of Special Education and Special Education Teacher. Dr. Singer has also been a national consultant, providing professional development on topics related to special education and issues of diversity and inclusion. She has and continues to be an adjunct professor, teaching classes related to special education and access. Dr. Singer sees herself as a bridge between research and practice. She imagines a world where all students have access to profound teaching and learning and wants teachers to help all students find joy in learning.
Dr. Jordan Lukins is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences at NC State University. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and graduate-level courses on disability, inclusion, and instructional methods for both special educators and general educators. Jordan is a former North Carolina special educator with teaching experience in separate, resource, and inclusive settings as well as school district leadership and professional development in the areas of autism and low incidence disabilities. She regularly collaborates with teachers, schools, and informal educational environments around issues of accessibility and inclusion. Jordan also supports the development and dissemination of online training resources for teachers as an Educational Consultant with the IRIS Center.