Tools & Strategies to Kick Off an Inclusive School Year

As a new school year begins, how can educators create learning environments where every student feels welcomed, included, and ready to succeed from day one? In this episode, hosts Kelli Suding and Bryan Dean welcome Heather Avery, Learning Specialist in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Inclusive Teaching and Learning Practices with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in New Brunswick, Canada. Heather shares how New Brunswick's UDL journey has evolved into a comprehensive, system-wide approach to inclusive education. Together, they explore practical strategies that educators can use before students even walk through the classroom door, including ways to foster learner agency, leverage tools like ReadSpeaker, and design flexible learning experiences that recognize learner variability from the start. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or anyone passionate about inclusive education, you'll leave with practical ideas to help every learner feel they belong from the very first day of school. TranscriptResources:Heather's LinkedInReadSpeaker