My Instructional Design Philosophy

I believe great learning experiences sit at the intersection of strategy, structure, and humanity.

Learning should have a purpose beyond checking a training requirement off a list. Before I think about slides, narration, interactions, or authoring tools, I want to understand the performance need. What is getting in the way? What does success look like? What does the learner need to know, do, or feel confident doing?

I draw from ADDIE, SAM, and adult learning principles, adapting my approach to the needs of each project, audience, and learning environment. My background in education and youth development has given me a deep understanding of how people learn, grow, and engage at different stages of life. That experience gives me a unique perspective on learning across the lifespan and helps me design experiences that meet people where they are, whether they are building foundational skills, stepping into a new role, developing professionally, or navigating a new season of growth.

I collaborate closely with subject matter experts and stakeholders to transform complex information into learning that is clear, relevant, engaging, and actionable. I also believe the details matter. Strong instructional design requires thoughtful content organization, technical accuracy, version control, accessibility, visual consistency, and solid project governance. Whether I’m developing an interactive eLearning course, facilitator guide, job aid, onboarding program, or workshop, I aim to create something that works for the learner and the people responsible for delivering and maintaining it.

And then there is the fun part.

I love finding creative ways to make information memorable. I enjoy experimenting with visuals, storytelling, interactive elements, and different modalities to create experiences that feel approachable rather than overwhelming. My goal is always to make learning feel less like a chore and more like an experience people can connect with.

Beyond the Work

When I’m not designing learning experiences, I’m usually looking for the next experience worth having. I live in Chesapeake, Virginia, with my husband, Alan. We enjoy traveling, exploring new places, trying new foods, and making memories with our family, especially my nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Curiosity fuels both sides of my life. Whether I’m learning something new, visiting somewhere I’ve never been, or figuring out a better way to communicate an idea, I’m always looking for the story, the opportunity, and the possibility.