Monica Braat

Monica is an Alberta educator, consultant, and sessional instructor whose work focuses on inclusive education, Universal Design for Learning, and supporting the full inclusion students with diverse learning and communication needs. Her doctoral research centered on educational leadership, implementation, and sustainable change. Monica spent 15 years of her career as a divisional inclusive education consultant and is also the parent of an adult son with an intellectual disability, a lived experience that deeply informs her commitment to meaningful inclusion. She is currently in the early stages of establishing her consulting practice, partnering with schools, families, and community organizations to strengthen access, collaboration, and belonging. Monica also teaches at the University of Alberta, where her courses address literacy, numeracy, communication, and instructional design for students with complex communication needs and significant disabilities.

Contact: monica.braat@gmail.com

Key Interests/Focus Areas

• Supporting the inclusion of students with complex communication needs and/or intellectual disabilities

• Trauma and neurologically informed practice, holistic safety, and relational regulation

• Facilitating change through implementation science, collaborative system design, and the leadership of learning coaches and administrators

• Using narrative and story to deepen understanding and guide professional learning

• Reducing barriers and expanding access and participation for all learners