Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success

I loved and enjoyed reading every sentence in this book. It contains a lot of great information about anti-racist education through the lens of Universal Design for Learning. As a huge proponent of Universal Design for Learning, I loved the incorporation of all UDL practices and guidelines, into anti-racist education, in a way that is practical, innovative and grounded in research. Although most chapters focused specifically, though not exclusively, on racism that is experienced by Black and Brown students in the United States, I really feel that what Andratesha has offered can be applied to other marginalized groups, both inside and outside of the United States. As a higher education educator working and living in the Middle East, I have learned about great tools and techniques that will help me teach my adult students (the teachers of tomorrow) about the importance of anti-racist education.Throughout the book, Andratesha asks us questions that compel us to think very deeply about issues that are related to equity in education. She also pushes us to come up with practical strategies that would allow us to implement anti-racist educational practices, almost from the get-go. In addition to that, she guides us towards making a bigger difference on a much larger scale. So what she does is invite us to embark upon an anti-racist journey, that starts small, with almost immediate results, and that has the potential of ending very big, with huge results that would impact a wide variety of students, educators and staff.This book is truly a must read for anyone interested in anti-racist education and Universal Design for Learning. It does not matter where you live in the world, if you wish to make a difference in the lives of marginalized students, this book is definitely for you.

Fritz, as she is called by her student, knocked this book out of the park. As a reader and as instructional lead, I felt honored. She said what needed to be said, demonstrated how students can be empowering, and gave me inspiration for 2021. This book was both practical and empowering; the stories were illuminating and the way she unpacked and repacked UDL for learning was magical. AN EXCELLENT INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE!She also did a video - just google her and it comes up.Thank you Fritz for this amazing book - my principal bought it for all the teachers at my school site!

This is the book faculty have been waiting for! While Fritzgerald presents information from the lens of her vast experience in K-12, there are multiple takeaways for higher education. One of the most important points from the author is for educators to convey to students, “You are more important than the systems we serve (p. 13).” This is especially salient in the private higher education landscape, where we do, in fact, have agency over the policies we create. Fritzgerald asks us to challenge curriculum, assumptions, and of course, access to learning. “There is no such thing as a learning environment that is truly universally designed and not culturally responsive. Also, there is no way to be truly culturally responsive without universally designing the learning experience (p. 55).” Finally, the reflection questions at the end of each chapter should be mandatory for all faculty to consider.

In "Antiracism and UDL," Andratesha Fritzgerald uses the metaphor of "building an expressway" to learning. It's an apt metaphor that places the onus for students' success where it belongs--with the educators who are creating the school and classroom environment. As the coronavirus transforms education as we know it, it's even more important to look at ways to connect students to the opportunity to learn.The KEY obstacle in the environment is, in fact, the capacity of the school and teacher to recognize both racism and its impact, and the ways that UDL, combined with other anti-racist pedagogical approaches--for example, trauma informed practice, restorative justice, culturally responsive teaching--can offer all students the opportunity to truly thrive.Andratresha Frtizgerald connects the dots for teachers who feel lost or overwhelmed as they consider their most marginalized and excluded students.If you have read Gholdy Muhummed's "Cultivating Genius," Zaretta Hammond's "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain," Bettina Loves "We Want to Do More than Survive," and you have (or want to) implement UDL, you will see how Fritzgerald brings everything together and empowers you as an educator to put your students in the driver's seat, in charge of their own educational journey.How are you going to meet the challenge of these times, and continue to adapt your practice as education becomes more equitable? Start by reading this book.

For those who are not yet familiar with Universal Design for Learning, there is plenty of theoretical information to begin an understanding of how to apply the framework in order to create anti-racist classrooms. For those who already know UDL, this is an important step in applying the framework and expand our understanding of how to expand the umbrella to include students who have been marginalized in school settings. An important aspect of anti-racism is understanding that we need to dismantle the structures that create inequities in achievement, and UDL is based on that same premise, which makes this book a great marriage of these ideas. Lots of concrete ideas to take right away!

Fantastic!! Empower through engagement! It is an experience I am happy I took!!

Andratesha's storytelling is beautifully interwoven with practical strategies and guidance for creating antiracist and inclusive leraning environments, for every student. Her 'codes of honour' give an exciting perspective on how teachers can work with students to create meaningful learning experiences for every one.