ShiftED Podcast #66 In Conversation with Dr Angela Burke: The UDL-Equity Connection

What if creating truly inclusive classrooms wasn't about mastering every student's culture, but about designing learning environments where everyone belongs? Dr. Burke offers a refreshing perspective on how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and equity work combine to transform education for all students.Drawing from her personal journey that began as a middle school student in a Massachusetts busing program, Dr. Burke shares how early experiences navigating cultural differences sparked her lifelong commitment to educational equity. Her approach is refreshingly practical—likening DEI work to hiding vegetables in a child's lasagna: "I don't need it to be called DEI, but I still need us to make sure we all have a sense of belonging."The conversation explores the natural partnership between UDL and culturally responsive teaching, describing them as "peanut butter and jelly" that complement each other perfectly. While UDL provides the framework for designing flexible learning pathways, culturally responsive teaching explains why those pathways matter: to honor students' identities and lived experiences. As Dr. Burke eloquently puts it, "Equity isn't an add-on to UDL, it's baked in when we design with identity and access in mind."For educators feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of cultural competency, Dr. Burke offers liberating advice: let go of the guilt that you must know everything about every culture. Instead, wear your heart on your sleeve and be comfortable saying, "I don't know, tell me." This vulnerability creates space for students to co-create their own sense of belonging.The discussion tackles real barriers to implementation—mindset shifts, compliance culture, and initiative fatigue—while offering practical ways to measure success beyond standardized test scores. Looking at "street data" like attendance, discipline referrals, and classroom participation provides immediate feedback on whether students are developing a sense of belonging.As education continues to evolve through technological advances and post-pandemic realities, Dr. Burke reminds us to stay grounded in principles rather than specific tools: "Fidelity doesn't mean uniformity. Fidelity is the commitment to access, engagement, and expression." By building practices that are flexible and human-centered, we create learning environments that can meet students where they are, no matter what changes come our way.Start this school year with a renewed commitment to creating classrooms where every student belongs and has pathways to succeed. Your mindset matters more than any specific method.