Attendees will:

– Build their proficiency using the Understanding by Design framework to design curriculum grounded in deep understanding and real-world application;

– Learn strategies and a framework for backwards curriculum design including humanizing, culturally expansive, antiracist, identity-centered, and affirming lenses;

– Develop strategies to proactively build rigorous and joyful curriculum grounded in positive identity development and embraces nuanced perspectives; and

– Design a “ready-to-teach” UbD unit that is deeply grounded in principles of inclusivity, equity, and belonging.

Yes. This is designed as a three-day offering. If you cannot attend all three days in January, we invite you to consider attending a subsequent offering of this workshop or another of AE’s other offerings throughout the year.

No. This session is for anyone interested in reimagining a unit with inclusivity front-of-mind, from a Pre-K unit on seasons to a 12th grade Calculus unit.

Yes. We can work with you to identify ways to apply this workshop to your individual situation, role, and/or context. For non-teaching attendees, possibilities include:

– Attending with a teacher or group of teachers from your school and working with them to collaboratively design a unit;
– Backwards designing a Professional Development event or series using the Humanizing History and UbD frameworks; and
– Planning a school-wide initiative using the frameworks and ideas from the workshop (e.g., reimagining “Grandparents & Special Friends Day,” an advisory program, or a Parent Education series).

We know that life happens. We’ve created registration transfer and refund policies to give you peace of mind should something come up that changes your availability.

Registrants unable to attend the workshop may send someone in their place, by making a request in writing at least 3 days prior to the start of the workshop. Requests to transfer to an alternate offering, if available, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All registration transfer requests must be made in writing via email to events@authenticeducation.org.

Cancellations submitted through November 15, 2025, will receive a full refund of registration fee, less a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations submitted after November 15, 2025. Refunds will be issued in the same form as the original payment when possible. Authentic Education does not award payment credit towards future services or events. All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to events@authenticeducation.org.

UbD experience is welcomed and not required. The small group format allows us to tailor instruction and support to meet all attendees where they are, whether they’re new to UbD or have extensive experience designing curriculum using the framework.

The Inclusive Curriculum Design workshop will be co-led by Mike Matthews, President of Authentic Education, and Monique Vogelsang, Founder of Humanizing History.

To ensure a high-quality and highly-personalized workshop with significant individualized coaching and support, registration is capped at 30 participants.

The worskhop will run from 9am-4pm each day, with breakfast available starting at 8:30am and a one-hour lunch break.

The daily schedule will be:

8:30am – Breakfast

9:00am – Morning Session

12:00pm – Lunch

1:00pm – Afternoon Session

4:00pm – End of day

Due to the small group and collaborative nature of the retreats, we require folks to attend in-person. We do periodically offer virtual trainings as well, so if you’re interested in participating, please sign up for our newsletter at  authenticeducation.org/blog/

Early bird Registration is $2,245 (through November 15, 2025) 
Standard Registration is $2,295 (registrations after November 15, 2025)

Payment is due at time of registration to confirm your spot.

For schools sending 2 or more participants, a $300 credit applies to the second and any subsequent registrations. The first attendee who registers from your school will receive a school-specific code that can be applied to subsequent registrations. To register a group of teachers at once, please email us at  events@authenticeducation.org. If folks register at different times, we’ll refund the applicable credit automatically.

The registration fee includes:

– Attendance at the 3-day small group workshop

– A follow-up virtual session with Mike, Monique, and the workshop cohort

– Asynchronous feedback on their unit after the workshop

– Breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day

– One Understanding by Design book and workbook workbook

– Access to AE’s resource library for one year after the workshop

The retreat fee does not include any travel expenses, including without limitation, mileage, parking, hotel, flights, and meals outside of the retreats.

You will need a laptop or a tablet with a keyboard. Attire is casual. We’ll provide everything else!

No. This session will leverage the Understanding by Design 2.0 template developed by the late Grant Wiggins (founder of Authentic Education) and Jay McTighe. Our process for thinking about learning goals, assessments, and lessons will include an exploration of underrepresented voices, untold stories, and broader perspectives – resulting in more inclusive and culturally expansive units.

In 2016, Authentic Education first offered an “Inclusivity by Design” workshop for a partner school. This workshop builds on that legacy, the groundbreaking work of Humanizing History, and will maintain the highest fidelity to the UbD framework.

We’re here to help! Email us at events@authenticeducation.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.