In this episode of CA Today, Host, Bonnie Wagner-ExceptionalEducation PD Coordinator speaks with Matt Bergman, Educational Consultant from Novak Education as they discuss how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides a framework for creating flexible, engaging, and accessible learning experiences to support the diverse needs of all learners. They explore how intentional instructional design, student choice, technology integration, and creative learning opportunities can increase access, participation, and meaningful engagement. The conversation highlights practical strategies for building inclusive classrooms that embrace learner variability while fostering collaboration, innovation, and student success.

Tune in for:

-Real examples to implement in the classroom

-Insights from this past Summer’s TECCC Camp

-Personal Connections and meaningful takeaways

Thank you to today's host!

Bonnie Wagner-Exceptional Education PD Coordinator

Resources From Today's Episode · ⁠

Novak Education https://www.novakeducation.com/

Dr. Matt Bergman’s Blog https://drmattbergman.com/blog

CAST Framework https://udlguidelines.cast.org/

Join us! View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative who is responsible for registration, sign you up!

Don't Forget to Connect! Subscribe and Review wherever youlike to listen!

Connect with today's hosts: ⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about what's happening in your school or classroom!

For this episode of CA Today, Sarah Cartmill sits down with Dr. Pam Kastner following her fourth year leading ELA Camp with educators across the CA BOCES region. Dr. Kastner explores the Instructional Hierarchy, a framework grounded in the science of learning that explains how students move from initial learning to mastery. She unpacks the four stages of acquisition, fluency, generalization, and adaptation, emphasizing the importance of explicit instruction, immediate feedback, frequent opportunities to respond, and achieving high levels of accuracy before expecting independent application of new skills. ​[Pam Kastne...j82426.m4a | Txt]​

The conversation highlights practical connections between the science of learning and literacy instruction. Dr. Kastner discusses how educators can support students in building automaticity and transferring skills to authentic contexts, while also stressing the critical role of vocabulary development, spelling instruction, and purposeful practice. Teachers from the region join the discussion to reflect on their own learning and share how concepts such as spelling inventories, embedded vocabulary instruction, and data-driven decision making can help identify instructional gaps and better support student growth. ​[Pam Kastne...j82426.m4a | Txt]​

A recurring theme throughout the episode is the power of consistency. Educators discuss the need for common language, shared instructional routines, and aligned practices across grade levels to create stronger learning experiences for students. Dr. Kastner also encourages schools to think about "de-implementation," identifying practices that are no longer effective and making space for research-based approaches that have the greatest impact on learning. Together, these insights provide listeners with practical strategies for strengthening instruction and building more coherent systems of support for all students. ​[Pam Kastne...j82426.m4a | Txt]​

Universal Design for Learning: The Shift to Student Led

Podcast Outline: Universal Design for Learning: The Shift to Student Led

Segment 1: Intro: What is UDL? (00:10-3:02)

Segment 2: Interview with Jillian Filbert-Earth Science Teacher from Wellsville (00:00-26:12)

How do Project‑Based Learning and Universal Design for Learning come together in your classroom? What does that look like, feel like, or sound like?

When you say learning is “student‑led,” what does that actually look like day to day?

How do you give students real voice and choice during a project in your classroom?

How do you make sure all students can access learning, even when they learn in different ways?

What flexibility do students have in how they show what they know, while still meeting high expectations?

What routines or structures help students collaborate and manage their learning independently?

How do feedback, reflection, or self‑assessment keep students at the center of the learning process?

What impact have you seen on student engagement, confidence, or equity since using Project Based Learning with Universal Design for Learning?

For educators who want to make this shift; what’s one place you’d recommend they start? One piece of advice you would give them.

The interview with Jillian Filbert prompts thoughtful consideration of the intentional work taking place both within classrooms and across the broader educational context. Her reflections establish a foundation for a deeper dialogue—one that emphasizes professional insight, reflective practice, and ongoing growth. In the Q & A that follows with author Katie Novak, Jillian Filbert is joined by Deb Wagoner from Belfast Central, Jerry Parisi from Salamanca City School District, Kelsey Judware Coordinator for Exceptional Ed Pd & Support, and myself as we examine how our work intersects with student learning, professional collaboration, and the greater school community.

·Bonnie: “Thank you for joining us in our conversations about Universal Design for Learning and the Shift to Student Led. As we close out today’s episode, we hope something you heard today sparked a new idea or perspective. We thank all the teachers who joined us in our conversations, and especially Jillian Filbert from Wellsville Secondary School and Author Katie Novak for her insights. Thank you for listening, and we hope you stop back for the next CA Today episode.”

Show notes:

Join host Bonnie Wagner, CABOCES, as she speaks with Jillian Filbert, an Earth & Space Science teacher at Wellsville Secondary School, to reflect on key insights from the book study The Shift to Student-Led Learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and explore practical ways to support this shift in classroom practice. This episode explores essential themes such as access for all students, learner agency, project‑based learning (PBL), and how these ideas align with Portrait of a Graduate. Listeners will discover how intentional lesson design, proactive use of assistive technology, and innovative instructional strategies can support all learners from the start. This podcast also includes a Q & A Session held during the book study with Author Katie Novak and how we can support our students in the classroom as we create Universally Designed Instruction Together.

Thank you to today's host!

Bonnie Wagner- Coordinator Exceptional Education

Resources From Today's Episode · ⁠

https://www.novakeducation.com/

The Shift to Student Led by Katie Novak and Catlin Tucker

Join us! View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!

Don't Forget to Connect! Subscribe and Review wherever you like to listen! Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, what's happening in your school or classroom!