INSIGHTS & IDEAS

The Education Table Blog

Practical strategies, research, and perspectives from the Novak Education team to help educators strengthen instruction, leadership, and inclusive systems.

Leadership

How UDL Professional Development Supports MTSS

When I work with schools and districts, I often hear leaders talk about MTSS and UDL as two separate initiatives. They have an MTSS team. They have UDL professional development. They have ...

Katie Novak · September 29, 2026

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Professional Learning

Why UDL Professional Development Fails to Stick

Katie Novak · September 14, 2026

Professional Learning

Million Dollar Question: What Does UDL Look Like?

Katie Novak · September 1, 2026

Leadership

Your Teachers May Understand UDL Better Than You Think

Katie Novak · August 5, 2026

Designing Learning Walks That Create Lasting Change

Educators and leaders spend significant time observing classrooms, conducting walkthroughs, and facilitating learning walks, but too often there is little return on the ...

Katie Novak · May 28, 2026

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When Student Needs Exceed System Capacity: What Leaders Can Do

If you’ve worked with me before, you’ve probably heard me say, “You can’t intervention your way out of a weak Tier 1 foundation.” I feel like I need it printed on a T-shirt. I say ...

Katie Novak · May 14, 2026

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Leadership

If PLCs Aren’t Improving Learning, What Are They Doing?

I work with so many schools that have worked hard to carve out time for PLCs in their schedule. That’s a great first step. But the more important question is this:

Katie Novak · May 7, 2026

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Online Learning

How to Address Barriers in Online Course Design

At Novak Education, we have had the opportunity to design and refine online learning experiences for educators across the globe, and one thing has become incredibly clear: when ...

Katie Novak · April 23, 2026

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The UDL Flowchart: A Tool for Universal Lesson Design

UDL Resource

The UDL Flowchart: When Choice Isn’t Enough

One of my favorite parts of being a consultant is observing classrooms and having the opportunity to connect with students. While completing learning walks in an elementary ...

Katie Novak · March 31, 2026

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Universal Design for Learning

The Teacher’s Guide to UDL: Moving from Framework to Facilitation

There are certain memories about teaching that stay with you.

Katie Novak · March 12, 2026

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Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

What the 80% in MTSS Is Really Asking Us to Notice

Why this isn’t about labeling students and never was Lately, I’ve been sitting with how hard educators are trying.

Katie Novak · January 22, 2026

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Universal Design for Learning

When Choosing the “Easy” Option Is Responsible

Okay, I have a confession. I absolutely can drive over to my favorite pizza place, Brickhouse, and pick up a Greek salad with buffalo chicken (it is truly to die for) when I’m ...

Katie Novak · December 12, 2025

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