I’m an instructional designer.
My work consists of collaborating with people in a variety of contexts – corporate, higher education, K-12, and others – to create the most engaging and memorable learning experiences. With my background in teaching and constant drive to learn, I create eLearning courses, trainings, and other educational content that are transformational. Not only do they get the job done, but they connect learners with the most human aspects of learning. Emotion, ease, and a sense of humor are all part of my signature.
Throughout my career, I have learned to use tech to adapt learning experiences to a variety of modalities. Among these include LMSs (Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate, and Intellum Evolve), Instructor-Led Virtual Trainings (ILVTs), app designs, podcasts, and much more.
Check out my design portfolio to see more info about these projects!
I teach languages.
I studied abroad in Beijing, China at the age of 16, and lived in Shiga, Japan for 2.5 years post-college. Since then, I have reached a working professional level in both Mandarin and Japanese. I have also spent most of my career teaching ESL both in America and abroad.
With Mandarin, I had many opportunities to speak in practical situations and make new friends, even after returning home from China. I created a bilingual documentary, worked on some translation projects, and served as a Mandarin interpreter at 59th Street Bloomingdale’s.
With Japanese, I utilized my language skills in the workplace as a JET Program Assistant Language Teacher. I continued to teach on a freelance basis after returning to the US in 2020.
Languages are my passion. I care about the support and access to language learning programs in the US, because as a primarily English-speaking nation, we benefit greatly from learning about other countries and cultures.
I design beautiful web experiences.
In 2020, after returning from Japan, I started learning web development for the first time. After discovering that I have a passion for front-end web development, I completed a number of self-guided projects in HTML/CSS/Javascript, as well as UX Design and graphic design. After a few months, I decided to create my own website using WordPress and PHP, and documented the entire experience on my blog. See the first step of the process here!
Turns out there’s a huge overlap between the process of making a website smooth and easy-to-navigate, and creating memorable learning experiences!
Now, I love to find opportunities to combine my knowledge in education with web design and UX principles.
See some of my projects in both fields in my design portfolio!
I study and teach intercultural communication.
My travels and experiences with learning languages were only a precursor to my introduction to intercultural communication. When I was a senior at Tufts University, I undertook a thesis project called “Black Students in China: Identity, Environment, and Institutions in the Individual’s Perception of Racial Encounters” (available as an abstract here). This research introduced me to the work of scholars such as Milton Bennett, Darla Deardorff, and Michael Byram, and their contributions to the world of intercultural communication contextualized my experiences abroad.
Now, I see how important intercultural communication is not only to the study abroad experience or language learning but to building empathy and moving towards an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory world. I have participated in and designed a number of workshops, lectures, and other educational experiences on the topic, and I hope to continue to find opportunities to do so throughout my career.
You can find some of my ICC-related projects in my design portfolio.
I philosophize about constructivism, language learning, race, identity, and power.
I have a lot of thoughts about these topics! And, luckily, many platforms on which I can explore them.
Check out my podcast here on constructivism!
Also, read my blog on race and culture.
Connect with me on LinkedIn where I share my thoughts from time to time!
I dream of a more empathetic, connected world.
I do all of these things because I want to envision a better world. No matter where I go, I meet wonderful people who are committed to building empathy in our children, fostering a thirst for knowledge, and creating opportunities for every person, regardless of identity markers, to live and thrive.
If you feel the same, reach out! Let’s work together.