In this bonus episode from CAST's The Learning Experience, host Bryan Dean sits down with Michelle Ring-Hanson and JoAnn Miller to explore their long‑standing UDL work in Wisconsin and the practical systems they’ve built to support inclusive teaching.

The conversation highlights their UDL Mentor Toolkit, how it supports educators in translating UDL into daily practice, and what it means to be recognized with a UDL‑Con 2025 Innovative Practice Award. Together, they share lessons from the field, reflections on mentorship, and what’s next for scaling UDL‑aligned innovation.

Subscribe to The Learning Experience: https://learningexperience.transistor.fm/subscribe

Learn more about CAST: https://www.cast.org

Resources:

• UDL Implementation Trials Mentor Toolkit (Open source, must sign up)
• UDL Awards

This episode is a special episode from UDL-Con, powered by CAST, originally appearing on the Transformative Principal podcast. 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 Missy Emler and Mia Chmiel. Missy shares her experiences and insights as a statewide systems coach for UDL in Wisconsin, diving deep into the implementation science framework and the trials process. Mia Chmiel also joins the conversation to discuss practical examples of UDL trials and their impact on student engagement and learning outcomes.

00:00 Introduction to the Special Episode

00:50 Meet Missy Emler

01:18 Reasons for Attending UDL Con

01:52 Implementation Science and UDL in Wisconsin

04:15 Plan, Study, Do, Act Cycles

05:57 Practical Outcomes of UDL Trials

14:50 Mia Chmiel's Role and Insights

26:46 Joining the Wisconsin UDL Community