The Education Table with Katie Novak, EdD

Novak Education
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Welcome to The Education Table, a destination for insights into inclusive and innovative education, all in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by Katie Novak, the podcast is dedicated to address your pressing questions, inspire action, and drive change, offering the insights and tools necessary to transform education through UDL, MTSS, innovative interventions, and leadership practices. Each episode offers a mix of stories, statistics, and strategies designed to establish balance for teachers and enhance outcomes for all learners. Join the movement! NovakEducation.com/TheEducationTablePodcast

  1. Ep 34: Rethinking Faculty Meetings: From Announcements to Impact

    FEB 5

    Ep 34: Rethinking Faculty Meetings: From Announcements to Impact

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak focuses on how faculty meeting time is often used for logistics, announcements, and information that could be shared asynchronously, rather than for the kind of collaborative learning that supports instructional improvement. The episode invites leaders to reconsider how this limited and valuable time is structured. Dr. Novak explains how faculty meetings can be intentionally designed to support adult learning by clarifying instructional goals, engaging educators in shared problem-solving, and creating space for reflection and alignment. Drawing on principles of Universal Design for Learning, she highlights how the same design choices that support student learning such as clear purpose, meaningful engagement, and intentional use of time, also apply to adults. Rather than adding more to educators’ plates, this episode emphasizes making better use of time leaders already have. When faculty meetings are aligned to instructional priorities and designed with intention, they can become a powerful lever for coherence, trust, and improved practice. View episode transcript View corresponding blog

    8 min
  2. Ep 33: When Tier 1 Isn’t Working, Pulling More Students Isn’t the Answer

    JAN 22

    Ep 33: When Tier 1 Isn’t Working, Pulling More Students Isn’t the Answer

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak reframes the commonly cited “80% rule” in MTSS. Rather than treating it as a hard benchmark or accountability threshold, she positions it as a temperature check - one data point that helps leaders pause and ask better questions about Tier 1 instruction. Dr. Novak explains that when a large percentage of students require intervention, the response should not automatically be to pull more students, add more programs, or intensify supports. Instead, it is an opportunity to examine how Tier 1 instruction is designed, how clearly goals are communicated, and how accessible learning is for students from the start. The focus shifts from fixing students to understanding instructional conditions. The episode highlights how Universal Design for Learning focus areas support leaders and instructional coaches in noticing patterns across classrooms through non-evaluative, supportive walkthroughs. Used well, these tools help teams reflect, build shared understanding, and strengthen core instruction, creating conditions where fewer students need intervention because Tier 1 is doing more of the work. View related blog View episode transcript

    11 min
  3. Ep 32: How do we know if we are actually implementing UDL?

    JAN 8

    Ep 32: How do we know if we are actually implementing UDL?

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak speaks directly to school and district leaders and instructional coaches who want to better understand how Universal Design for Learning is showing up across classrooms. She introduces the UDL focus areas as a tool for noticing, naming, and supporting instructional practices that educators are already building, while also clarifying where intentional shifts can deepen impact. Drawing on classroom examples and implementation research, Dr. Novak explores how non-evaluative, supportive observations and walkthroughs help leaders strengthen Tier 1 instruction without positioning UDL as a checklist or compliance task. Rather than using observations to judge practice, this episode emphasizes how focus areas can guide coaching conversations, professional learning, and systems-level coherence in ways that support teachers and improve student outcomes. In this episode, you will learn: What UDL focus areas are and why they matterHow to use the focus areas to help support teacher growthWhy depth of practice leads to greater impact than breadth Additional resources to explore: UDL Focus Areas Blog & ToolEpisode transcript

    11 min
  4. Ep 31: When Choosing the “Easy” Option Is Responsible

    12/12/2025

    Ep 31: When Choosing the “Easy” Option Is Responsible

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak examines a common concern with choice: students gravitating toward what is perceived as the “easy” option. She explains that this often happens for two reasons. Either the options are not truly aligned to grade-level standards, or students have not been explicitly taught how to use the options or supported with appropriate scaffolds.Drawing on research and real-world examples, Dr. Novak explores why students often choose pathways that feel predictable or manageable, particularly when uncertainty is high. Rather than offering choice and hoping students make good decisions, she emphasizes the importance of teaching the options, clarifying the goal, modeling workflows, and offering scaffolds that support learning without becoming requirements. When goals, success criteria, and reflection are made explicit, students are better positioned to choose options that provide the right balance of support and challenge. In this episode, you will learn: How to scaffold choice so students don't choose the "easiest" optionThe importance of aligning choice to grade-level standardsHowAdditional resources to explore: Episode transcriptRelated blog

    11 min
  5. Ep30: UDL Isn’t Just for Classrooms: It’s for Small Groups, 1:1 Moments, and Everyday Life

    11/20/2025

    Ep30: UDL Isn’t Just for Classrooms: It’s for Small Groups, 1:1 Moments, and Everyday Life

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak explores how Universal Design for Learning extends far beyond whole-class teaching. She emphasizes that UDL is a mindset for every interaction, regardless of whether you are a teacher, paraeducator, specialist, or counselor. Katie shares practical ways adults can create emotionally safe, predictable, and flexible interactions that honor learner identity and reduce barriers while still meeting firm goals, no matter the setting. Her message is clear: UDL isn’t just for classrooms: it’s for life. In this episode, you will learn: Why UDL matters just as much in small groups, mentoring, and 1:1 interactions as it does in structured lessonsSimple shifts adults can make to reduce stress, offer choice, and honor learner identityPractical ways to design interactions with variability in mind, even outside the classroom Additional resources to explore: View episode transcriptRead corresponding blog

    10 min

  6. 11/06/2025

    Ep29: How Paraeducators Build Independence Through Universal Design for Learning

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak spotlights the essential role paraeducators play in supporting inclusive classrooms. She shares practical ways paras can support learners without building dependency. Grounded in UDL principles, the conversation emphasizes that when paraeducators shift from “helping individuals” to “supporting the classroom ecosystem,” all students benefit. You’ll Learn The critical role paraeducators play in delivering inclusive instruction How UDL can help paras move from task-based help to strategic learner support Practical communication routines paras can put in place today Ways to build student agency by fading adult support over time View the episode transcript Additional resources to explore: Read: How Paraeducators Building Independence through Universal Design for Learning

    8 min
  7. Ep28: Measuring What Matters

    10/23/2025

    Ep28: Measuring What Matters

    In this episode of The Education Table, Dr. Katie Novak explores one of the most common questions educators face when implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL): How do I know if it’s actually working? Through stories, research, and practical strategies, Katie unpacks how to assess growth and improvement in inclusive classrooms. She emphasizes that UDL isn’t about perfection—it’s about steady progress and reflection over time. Listeners will walk away with clear guidance on identifying meaningful evidence of impact beyond engagement, focusing on student outcomes and authentic growth. You’ll Learn How to identify meaningful evidence of impact when implementing UDL practices. Practical ways to collect and reflect on data to guide inclusive teaching decisions. How to shift your focus from perfection to progress when designing for all learners. If you find today’s episode to be interesting or insightful, please share it with one or two educators in your life! Your recommendation is one of the best ways to spread the word and to help fellow educators improve their practice. And to learn more,  to access the transcript and resources: https://www.novakeducation.com/blog/ep28-measuring-what-matters-looking-beyond-test-scores For more strategies and resources, sign up for our twice a month newsletter: https://info.novakeducation.com/newsletter-sign-up

    9 min
  8. What’s One Routine I Can Redesign Right Now? Redesign Classroom Routines with UDL

    09/23/2025

    What’s One Routine I Can Redesign Right Now? Redesign Classroom Routines with UDL

    If you’ve ever lost the first 10 minutes of class to chaos, stress, or blank stares you’re not alone. In this episode of The Education Table Podcast, Katie Novak,EdD shares how you can get started transitioning your classroom with Universal Design for Learning by starting small. You’ll learn one routine you can redesign right now.  Novak shares her personal experiences with Do Nows as a middle school teacher and emphasizes the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. By focusing on flexibility, accessibility, and collaboration, educators can create a more engaging and supportive learning environment for all students. You'll learn: Focus on one routine at a time to help create manageable and effective changes in your classroom and teaching practiceEmbrace repeated routines as a pathway to reduce cognitive load for students.The research behind inclusive routines and why they matter If you find today’s episode to be interesting or insightful, please share it with one or two educators in your life! Your recommendation is one of the best ways to spread the word and to help fellow educators improve their practice. And to learn more, head to the ⁠show page⁠⁠ to access the transcript and resources:  https://www.novakeducation.com/episode-27-start-here-one-way-to-redesign-classroom-routines-with-udl Key moments: Redesigning Learning for Inclusivity 2:37 - The Power of Routines in Education 5:22- Implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Strategies 8:14 Final advice For more strategies and resources, be sure to ⁠sign up for our newsletter⁠. Twice-a-month, we’ll deliver the latest updates and tips for creating learning environments where all learners can thrive.  Sign Up: ⁠https://info.novakeducation.com/newsletter-sign-up⁠

    9 min
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Welcome to The Education Table, a destination for insights into inclusive and innovative education, all in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by Katie Novak, the podcast is dedicated to address your pressing questions, inspire action, and drive change, offering the insights and tools necessary to transform education through UDL, MTSS, innovative interventions, and leadership practices. Each episode offers a mix of stories, statistics, and strategies designed to establish balance for teachers and enhance outcomes for all learners. Join the movement! NovakEducation.com/TheEducationTablePodcast

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