Chynel McCrink '25

Chynel McCrink '25
Universal Design for Learning

From Educator to UDL Advocate: Chynel McCrink's Journey of Discovery and Growth

Chynel began Lasell’s Universal Design Learning certification program with 24 years of experience in primary education in Northern Ireland. Her first “ah-ha” moment came on the first day of the program, when all participants and faculty gathered in Dublin, sharing ideas and engaging in exciting discussions and learning. It was almost overwhelming, and Chynel took a break to try out some speech-to-text software. Rejoining the class, “I realized what many of my students face and how they might feel during the day. I realized I had a lot to learn.”

The program runs a full academic year, mostly completed online with in-person symposiums at the start and end. “I love the clear expectations and the trust from the tutors,” says Chynel. “They provided so much support despite the U.S.-Northern Ireland time difference and responded weekends even though they weren’t required to.”

“Our tutors even changed how they delivered content as we went along, according to our needs,” she continued. “Talking out our ideas in webinars and breakout groups really cemented our understanding of UDL. I appreciate the time to think on theory, then practice what it might look like in our school – it led to deeper learning.”