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"Teacher as facilitator" - Trusting that students want to learn and can learn. Teacher serves as a resource and guide.
This idea is everything. We see the effects on so many students today who truly are dependent learners. For one teacher in one school year to change this trajectory, however, is unrealistic. It will take whole-system change as learned helplessness has been the norm for countless years. It can and should be done, though. A good start, championed by AVID, is the use of Essential Questions (open-ended and based on universal themes), beginning in the early grades and built upon each year.

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Session two thoughts.
Liked the concept of knowing where students are coming from before forming a plan.

I thought the point that we as educators are the facilitator is great.

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My biggest takeaways/reminders:
UDL = Standards + Student Voice + Flexibility. We can never be reminded of this too often as educators. Standards are a baseline for what to teach. From there, we have to allow for and encourage student voice and agency, not only for the purpose of buy-in but also for learning and practice of expression of voice and agency to be used in real life, now and in their future adult lives. In response to students' voices and choices, we must allow for and even encourage flexibility in the who, what, when, where, why, and how  of learning.
That said, UDL as described here is definitely optimal for students. At the same time, pie-in-the-sky comes to mind when I think of standardized testing as the reality. How can the two ever marry? And if they can't, how can we say our system is equitable and culturally responsive?

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I really enjoyed and loved his presentation. It reminded me a lot of what I went through when I was in grade school. I could relate a lot of things he was saying to my own experiences.
-I feel that it is important to listen to our students voices because they all learn so very differently.
-Having a teacher BELIEVE in you is so IMPORTANT!!
-The "One Size Fits All" does not pertain to all students and teachers need to remember that.
-It's important as teachers to change our curriculum and adapt the way we teach to the students needs. Not all students learn the same way.
-It's important for our students to know what their expectations are from us as teachers.
-EVERY student has a right to learn no matter what may be happening in their homes.

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I loved this presentation and I can't wait for the next. I know some of it is repetitive but I think we need to continue to hear it. A few key points that stood out to me:
-Sometimes our families are doing the best they can because that is all they know
-We need to have high expectations and high content for growth
-Teacher efficacy is SUPER important and would love to explore further
-No matter what EVERY student has something to give and can learn and grow from their experiences

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At the end of the presentation I thought to myself it was an okay presentation. There wasn't really anything new. A lot of what we have heard from others already. Set standards high, not one single style works for everyone, be flexible, listen to students, etc. Even though we have all heard it before it is worth hearing again. I also told myself, this is part one of a series. I am sure future presentations will have more depth. I appreciated the story about not dumbing work down for students because it is insulting to the students. I feel it is important to challenge students. If students are given work that might seem too difficult for them we as teachers need to encourage the student as opposed to immediately giving the student easier work.

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A few of my notes:
-One size Never fits All

-Access Barriers/Engagement barriers
-Pygmalion Effect, My beliefs affect how others act, others react based on what they think I believe about them.
I really never want to be that kind of teacher that makes students feel that I think they can't do it.  I really want to learn what makes students believe that so I can avoid it.

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In addition to what Suzanne said, some things that resonated with me were:
- Being flexible is essential.
- Use multiple means of representation, emotion and engagement in lessons.
- During student centered learning, take feedback from your students to grow as an educator and to meet the needs of the students themselves.
- Never assume a student can't do something.

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Mirko is a very engaging presenter, even online! A few items that resonated with me were:
1. Kids over content.
2. Authentically listen to the voices of our students.
3. Students perform based upon the expectations of the adults in their lives.
4. Universal Design for Learners & culturally responsive pedagogy truly works for all students.
5. Student centered instruction - it is not about the adult.