“…meaningful change in education is always collective work. I’m grateful to be among people who are just as committed to creating spaces where every learner can grow and succeed.” – Jon Mundorf (Ed.D., ’14)
P.K. Yonge teacher and Lastinger Center Affiliate Faculty Jon Mundorf (Ed.D., ’14) receives 2025 CEL Innovative Leadership Award.
The CEL Innovative Leadership Award is presented to a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) who is a mid-career literacy leader demonstrating innovative leadership that impacts the local, regional and/or national level.
Mundorf feels humbled by this recognition, as his work reflects not only his own efforts but also the values of his community. He is thankful for this community and is reminded that “meaningful change in education is always collective work. I’m grateful to be among people who are just as committed to creating spaces where every learner can grow and succeed.”
Through his work at P.K. Yonge Mundorf has helped to foster connectedness and innovation. His work in universal design for learning has been recognized nationally. UDL is a teaching framework to support flexible learning environments for all students. His collaborations with UF faculty have allowed him to contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations about implementing UDL across the country.
His advice to his students would be to “Take risks with your thinking and your writing. Your perspective matters, it’s needed, and it’s worth sharing. Remember that you are cared about and that you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on the people around you because learning and growing together makes the journey so much more fun!”
From UF, he has also been awarded the 2016 Outstanding Young Alumnus award. This award is given to recognize alumni who are 35 years of age or younger, have distinguished themselves in their profession and community and have made a significant impact on education.
UF has pushed Mundorf to “keep asking questions, keep learning, and share what I discover in ways that can make a difference for both students and teachers.”