120: UDL unites teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Here’s how.
UDL in 15 MinutesShow Notes
Chynel McCrink and Colin Syron, two primary school teachers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, respectively, about their experiences with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). They discuss how the UDL framework has helped establish a shared language for teaching across Ireland and how it has transformed their approach to education. Chynel and Colin share their personal journeys with UDL, the differences in teacher professional development between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the impact of the partnership between the National Education Authorities, Microsoft, and Lasell University has had on teacher leaders in both regions. They also reflect on their a-ha moments during the UDL course and how UDL has empowered them as educators.
More from UDL in 15 Minutes
In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, Tom Tobin talks about scaling Universal Design for Learning campus-wide. Tom shares the story of Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, which moved UDL from a grassroots effort to institutional practice through five stages: possible, permitted, supported, rewarded, and expected. Tom and Loui discuss shifting messaging from compliance to genuine support to sustain lasting culture change.
Ikram Sabti, head of primary at The Aures School in Algeria, shares how Universal Design for Learning transformed her inclusive, multilingual classroom and now she now applies those same principles to professional development. Discover how one leader is shifting school culture from compliance to genuine, lasting growth for both students and staff.
Chayma Bouzenag, an Algerian English Department Head, shares how UDL transformed her diverse, inclusive classroom and turned disengaged multilingual learners into confident, self-directed students through flexible expression, collaboration, and barrier-removing design.
Bartola Mavric, head of student support at the British International School of Istanbul, discusses her school's year-and-a-half journey implementing Universal Design for Learning. She outlines their gradual, staff-friendly approach that began with engagement, building UDL mindsets, and introducing practical classroom toolboxes. Bartola also shares survey results, next steps, and plans to expand UDL into secondary school.
In this episode, elementary PE teacher and team leader, Matt Magowan shares how Universal Design for Learning transformed his physical education program at the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Vietnam. He discusses using choice boards, collaborative strategies like "campfires," "peace talks," “sentence starters” and popsicle stick continuums to support student agency, social skill development, and self-reflection across all learners.