Mags Flood

Memorable Experience(s) with CAST: 

1. In 2021, I had the privilege of working with CAST colleagues for six months as part of my Fulbright Scholarship to Boston. They agreed to a day a week with them, working on the review of the UDL Guidelines. While I expected a warm welcome, the entire CAST team's generosity was more than I would have ever expected. In the Covid-prescribed work-from-home mode, I was assigned two CAST colleagues, Jenna Gravel and Nicole Tucker-Smith, whom I now consider friends, to connect with me. We connected online before I arrived in Boston, and once there, we had weekly virtual collaborative meetings to review checkpoints and look at the new Guidelines. What I loved was that Jenna and Nicole were authentic in their conversations with me from the outset and welcomed and valued my perspective. What we created was a learning community of three with branches to the wider CAST community. I remember my welcome at the first CAST staff meeting and the fun Google doc of ""things for Mags to do"" that included invitations to lunches, a visit to the CAST office, and people's hometowns. A conversation with David Rose, which led to a podcast, was also arranged. My experience validated my work at home in Ireland and showed me that the CAST team doesn't just talk UDL. They live it. One of the little nuggets Jenna, Nicole and I discussed was the hope of a UDL International Symposium in Ireland, an idea that came to fruition with the support of Jenna and CAST in 2023.
2. The first UDL International Symposium in Ireland occurred after two years of planning. And CAST colleagues held my hand from the initial thought to the closing talk. As my go-to person, Jenna linked me with communications, logistics, and the professional learning team. No question was too much, from sharing their planning templates to volunteering their time to come and facilitate workshops at the Symposium. What I will remember most from the Symposium is the generosity of Jennifer, Melissa, Bill, and Nicole. They invited conversations, stayed after sessions to chat with people, and in my moments of stress as symposium host, offered a reassuring word or helping hand. There were no barriers to be removed regarding their openness, engagement, and helpfulness.
3. Sitting on the UDL 3.0 Collaborative is my most cherished CAST experience. Being invited, having my voice valued, and working with some of the most inspiring people I know in the UDL field was an absolute honor. Seeing the work by Nicole and Jenna that went on behind the scenes to present concepts and language to us, each meeting was only surpassed by their ability to share ownership of this work with the collaborative in a mutually respectful way while honoring the task before us all. The last meeting finishing our work was a bittersweet moment for me.

What Does CAST Mean to You?

CAST means community. At the beginning of my UDL journey, CAST was a space for me to test the waters to see if I was doing the ""right thing"" at a time when I was afraid to share my UDL ideas/tried approaches with my colleagues, in case, I was getting it wrong. As the years have gone on, CAST has still been my community. It provides a safe and brave space to learn, ask questions, support and be supported, challenge and be challenged, and - most importantly - a place of lifelong friendships.

How has CAST Changed Over the Years?

CAST has just grown from strength to strength. It has taken something designed to help some and developed UDL into an approach that helps everyone in every context. CAST's ability to look inward and outward has led to a global understanding of UDL and inclusion being for everyone, in addition to the much anticipated UDL Guidelines 3.0.

What Are You Most Excited About CAST Celebrating its 40th Anniversary?

Guidelines 3.0 and welcoming CAST colleagues back to Ireland for our 2024 Symposium.

Favorite CAST-Related Quote

Learning without limits says it all for me.