Online Course | June 29 - August 30
Professional Development
Novak Educational Consulting is the premier organization for designing and delivering high-quality, evidence-based professional development on multi-tiered systems of support, evidence-based tiered interventions, evidence-based literacy models, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and effective leadership practices. Our presenters are completely flexible and can design any type of presentation to meet your needs.
Online Courses
Without the proper supports, professional development, and resources, it can be difficult – if not impossible – to improve your teaching game. And even when professional development is available, it sometimes falls short. Our response is to provide universally designed online courses to help you better understand UDL, MTSS, and inclusive practice. Courses will provide you with the theory you need but will focus on practical methods for improving daily practice.
Our Consultants
Novak Educational Consulting is the premier organization for designing and delivering high-quality, evidence-based professional development on multi-tiered systems of support, evidence-based tiered interventions, evidence-based literacy models, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and effective leadership practices.
Recent Posts
UDL: An Instructional Anchor From the Past, For the Present, and Into the Future
In a time of Emergency Online Learning, the founding principles of UDL (Multiple Means of Representation, Engagement, and Action and Expression) provide solutions that are critical in an online environment.
Remote or Not, UDL Lessons Still Apply
Even though our conventional use of using UDL to design lesson plans has changed, there are guiding questions that educators use when designing conventional instruction that are still applicable and, perhaps, more critical in the online environment. Here are Guiding Questions to build out an (online or in-person) UDL Lesson Plan
UDL in the Cloud Digital Resource
How do we grow our practice as a virtual teacher? It starts by asking ourselves how we can continue delivering high-quality and flexible education that supports and challenges all learners in this time of distance learning.
UDL Implementation Timeline
A month by month guideline to implement (Universal Design for Learning) UDL in your first year in a leadership position
Testimonials
“Dr. Katie Novak has been a tremendous partner in our county’s focus on equity and inclusive practices. She has worked with us on developing our leaders and inspiring people to imagine possibilities for all students. She is highly engaging and relevant and customizes all her work to our local context. She lays a compelling case for redesigning our school environments to ensure all students can learn in an inclusive environment. Her message and style resonates with every educator and she inspires everyone to take action.”
“I have worked Katie in multiple capacities. As a co-presenter, she is amazing to collaborate with - her ideas and energy are endless and she pushes you to be your very best! I have also worked with Katie when I was an instructor in higher education. She delivered a keynote and workshop to our faculty and received rave reviews for the relevancy of her material and for her ability to model the UDL guidelines in her presentation.”
“Dr. Katie Novak and I first met when we created the #UDLchat on Twitter with Mindy Johnson, Kit Hard, and Elizabeth Stein. Since, we have collaborated closely working towards the common goal of implementing Universal Design for Learning in more classrooms through a network of supports. She is a leader that never sleeps, and I'm happy to say we have been friends and working colleagues for over five years now. Katie listens closely to the needs of teachers, administrators, and others, and the insights she gains from that is beautifully reflected through her books on Universal Design for Learning and her work in school districts nationwide.”
“Katie Novak is an engaging, dynamic facilitator of professional development. She does not present or direct, she facilities the learning of others. Through her experience as a teacher and administrator, Katie is able to provide practical examples of the application of UDL and is able to engage participants in exploring their own knowledge and experience to enhance their learning. Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporations (BCSC) has been privileged to partner with Katie as a UDL facilitator at the BCSC UDL Summer Institute for each of the last 4 years. Katie is one of the summer UDL facilitators who BCSC teachers seek out year after year. In addition to her "in person" work with BCSC, her book UDL Now! was purchased for all 750 BCSC teachers as a hands-on resource for UDL implementation. BCSC also has created the option of elearning days and used UDL in The Cloud as a guide in many of the aspects of online course development. Katie is exciting, engaging and practical, but most important Katie causes you to think and explore your own beliefs and practices.”
“Great teaching looks a lot like art. While there has been a great deal of attention lately to the "science" of teaching, it is the art of teaching that we most remembers and that strikes us with awe. And that is hard to describe or codify. Katie Novak is an artist when she teaches. I have seen her. She does things that awe and inspire; watching her is like watching a master sculptor at work. Everyone should have a chance to see her teach - and especially to see her bring UDL to life."”
“Katie is an absolute wealth of knowledge on best practices to drive change in educational systems. Her strategic mind and years of experience have been an enormous asset to our program as she has worked with educational leaders to support and challenge them as they implement inclusive practices in their districts and schools. We can't say enough about how her enthusiasm, dedication, and depth of knowledge of inclusive practices has changed mindsets and inspired action among leaders in our program.”
“You will laugh, you will engage, and most importantly, you will learn. These experiences are ones to look forward to if you are fortunate enough to attend any professional development designed and delivered by Dr. Katie Novak. Katie practices what she preaches, and that is all things Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You might be asked to attend a dinner party in the 1970s or line dance with a room full of strangers, but will do so while thinking about how to meet the needs of every single learner in your district, school, or classroom. Be prepared to put your thoughts into action and plan for learning, development, and implementation regardless of your role in education. Katie has the ability to validate every single participant’s interests, viewpoints, and understandings. Whether there are twenty or two hundred people participating in a professional development session, she will make sure it will meet the individual learning needs of all. If you do not have the opportunity to participate in a learning session with Katie in person, be sure to check out her books as well. Reading any of Katie’s books is like having a casual conversation with a colleague and friend. No matter the learning method, you will not be let down!”