#093 - Dr. Chris Bronke | Does UDL Really Work in Classrooms?

Dr. Christopher Bronke is a Senior Education Consultant for Novak Education. Bronke has held numerous teacher-leadership positions at the national level including a seat on both the Carnegie Foundation Teacher Advisory Panel and the Teacher Advisory Council for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bronke designs and delivers presentations on assessment theory and design, standards-based instruction, Universal Design for Learning, Deeper Learning, ELA curriculum design, intentional integration of Social Emotional Learning into classrooms and across schools, collaborative leadership, teacher leadership, and blogging to empower teacher voice and change. 

🎙️ In this episode, Dr. Christopher Bronke dives into Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how it can revolutionize modern teaching practices. Formerly a high school English teacher, Dr. Bronke shares his shift to becoming a UDL specialist, emphasizing the importance of intentional teaching, student agency, and inclusive classroom strategies. Educators will learn how to create supportive learning environments, use flexible lesson structures, and foster student reflection to boost engagement and equity. The conversation covers real-world challenges students face, especially in identifying their own learning needs, and how UDL empowers both teachers and learners. Topics include rethinking assessments, flipped classrooms, mental health awareness in education, and the value of progress over perfection. Whether you're a new teacher, instructional coach, or lifelong learner, this episode offers actionable strategies for making learning more inclusive, effective, and human-centered. Perfect for educators who love professional development podcasts with real impact.

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Chapters

04:11 Transitioning to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
09:54 Classroom Practices: Opening and Closing Lessons
14:01 The Importance of Intentionality in Teaching
20:08 Fostering Student Agency and Self-Reflection
29:06 Identifying Student Struggles and Agency
32:06 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Explained
38:37 Personal Journey into UDL
45:51 Shifting from Instructor to Curator
54:40 Barriers to Learning and Engagement
01:00:01 Engaging Students Beyond the Rubric
01:03:01 The Power of Universal Design in Education
01:05:56 Navigating Student Choices and Responsibilities
01:08:58 The Impact of Traditional Teaching Methods
01:12:00 Integrating UDL with Modern Teaching Approaches
01:16:02 Creating a Balanced Learning Environment
01:19:57 Embracing Progress Over Perfection

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Thoughts shared on the podcast are purely our own and do not represent the views of the Anglophone South School District or the relevant jurisdictions associated with my guests.