Following the tragedy of two young students who died in a double suicide at a local high school, a team of psychiatrists, SEL experts, counselors, teachers, and educational leaders came together to discuss processes for healing, and future programming to build resiliency and distress tolerance (a psychiatric term) in students. This resource led to the adoption of principles of Universal Design (i.e. for all students, through multiple means, and with diversity in mind) and development of a mental health program in collaboration with the team, which is just now beginning to be implemented in schools.

The Three-Block Model of UDL (TBM) was developed by Dr. Jennifer Katz and brought to Manitoba in 2009. By 2015, implementation had been scaled up to a provincial/national level. Courses are taught in nine universities, and the work is spreading across the country. This resource will discuss the process followed, and lessons learned along the way.

The Three-Block Model of UDL is a framework encom- passing the cornerstones of inclusive education; social and emotional well-being and belonging, inclusive instruction- al practice, and systems and structures. Research indicates the model has significant, positive impacts on students’ self-concept, respect for diverse others, inclusivity, class- room climate, and social and academic engagement while reducing exclusion, and aggressive behaviour. Implemen- tation of the model reduces teacher stress, improves teach- er efficacy relative to teaching diverse learners, and re- quires specific supports for effective implementation.