Educators as Designers

An invitation to K–12 educators to reimagine their roles through the transformative lens of design

In Educators as Designers, Jim Gaona Ellis draws on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the latest UDL guidelines to position teachers as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers, empowering them to craft classroom experiences that are not only accessible, but also inspiring, inclusive, and responsive to every student’s unique needs. This timely and original book challenges readers to see themselves not just as implementers, but as architects capable of reshaping learning cultures and opportunities for all students.

At the heart of this work is a practical toolkit that seamlessly bridges powerful design concepts—such as affordances, choice architecture, hostile design, and the design cycle—with everyday classroom realities. Gaona Ellis offers engaging vignettes, actionable strategies, and a concrete change management framework that honor teachers’ expertise while guiding them to collaborate, ideate, and iterate solutions. The book doesn’t shy away from addressing systemic inequities, instead arming educators with the language, habits, and mindset to foster learner agency, equity, and belonging—regardless of external constraints or shifting DEI mandates.

More than a guide, this is an invitation to innovate, co-create, and lead. With storytelling at its core and a focus on practical impact, this book will inspire educators and school leaders to bring fresh clarity, delight, and possibility to their practice—one designed solution at a time.