Flexibility, Belonging and the Power of UDL for 2e Learners

Abby Kirigin
Jan 7
4 min read

Welcome to the first in a series of educator case studies, where we hear from school leaders about what they’re doing to support neurodivergent and 2e learners in their schools. We’ll hear practical tips and advice from both public and private schools about what is working for their communities.

The first article is on flexibility, belonging and UDL from Victoria Trevor, Head of School at Athena Academy and member of REEL's Educator Advisory Group.

If there is one thing that stands out when teaching twice exceptional students, it is this simple truth: flexibility is not a bonus, it is a necessity. 2e learners bring remarkable creativity, curiosity and insight into the classroom. They arrive with unique learning profiles that require us to look beyond a single pathway and instead design learning that honors the way they think.

At any school, flexibility is an act of respect. It says to our students, we see how you learn, and we will meet you there.

Why flexibility matters for 2e learners

Twice exceptional students often have a combination of significant strengths alongside areas that demand thoughtful support. A child may create a brilliant narrative in their head but find it exhausting to put pencil to paper. Another may thrive in abstract reasoning yet struggle with organization or sensory demands.

When we make room for flexible ways for students to learn and show understanding, we remove the barriers that can so easily chip away at confidence. Instead of students trying to fit the system, the system shifts to fit the student.

This is where Universal Design for Learning plays a key role.

UDL as a foundation for Confidence and Independence

Universal Design for Learning invites all educators to design learning from the outset so that students can access it in a way that matches their strengths. It offers multiple ways to engage, multiple ways to represent information, and multiple ways to show understanding.

In practice, this means:

Offering visual, auditory and hands on entry points to new learning
Prioritizing choice so students feel ownership and agency
Providing scaffolds that support skills without limiting potential
Allowing alternative ways to demonstrate understanding and assessment
Creating predictable routines that support working memory and self regulation
Encouraging students to tap into their strengths when problem solving

When UDL is done purposefully, it builds genuine confidence. Students start to trust that they can grow because they are given the tools, support, and space to do so.

Case Study: UDL at Athena

Flexibility is woven into daily life at Athena. It is not an accommodation. It is simply the way we teach.

A few examples from around campus:

Project Based Learning that invites multiple entry points Whether students are building tiny homes, designing flower markets or launching food trucks, every project is crafted so learners can show their thinking through building, drawing, writing, coding or presenting. For the food truck project, students were guided by the driving question: How can we design a tiny home that empowers and inspires others to live their lives with confidence?

Engaging academics By making sure our approaches integrate best practices and sound pedagogy, our teachers design lessons that focus on purposeful and meaningful learning objectives. This allows our students to feel continuously and appropriately challenged in our multi-grade and adaptive classrooms. Students use conversation, questioning and hands-on modelling to deepen understanding. They are not told what to think. They explore how ideas work.

SEL Responsive Classroom, Restorative Justice and Conscious Discipline routines taught through intentional scaffolded support predictable, calm days. Morning Meetings, shared agreements and explicit teaching of social and emotional skills ensure students feel safe, seen and ready to learn.
Individual goals that honor strengths Teachers work closely across subjects, looking for patterns and adjusting instruction to meet students where they are.
Choice in showing understanding A concept can be explained through a model, a conversation, a labelled diagram, a short video or a written paragraph. Students choose what works for them.

Flexible seating and sensory supports Comfy seating, standing at a desk, working on the floor, quiet corners, outdoor learning spaces and easy to access fidget tools give students control over what helps them regulate and focus.Regular brain breaks throughout the day also play an important role, and give students the chance to reset, move, and return to learning with renewed focus.

The difference flexibility makes

When students feel understood and respected as learners, something powerful happens. They step forward. They take risks. They begin to see themselves as capable and creative problem solvers. Confidence grows. That, more than anything else, is what sets them up for success both now and in the years ahead.

VICTORIA TREVOR, Head of School, Athena Academy

Ms. Victoria Trevor brings over two decades of leadership experience in education to her role at Athena Academy. Before joining Athena, she served as the Head of Lower School at Episcopal Day School in San Mateo and has a strong background in both teaching and administration. With degrees in geography and education, Ms. Victoria has taught students across a wide range of age groups in both England and the United States, enriching every community she has been a part of. Deeply committed to empowering neurodiverse learners, Ms. Victoria is especially passionate about dyslexia education and creating learning environments that build confidence through hands-on, project-based learning. Her approach is grounded in the belief that when students engage in meaningful, real-world experiences, their strengths can truly shine.

Outside of school, Ms. Victoria enjoys cinema, travel, dining out, swimming, and long walks. She also practices yoga and is a passionate Liverpool Football Club supporter, but her favorite role is being a devoted mother.