I believe good instructional design is like good writing: it takes a love for communication, a solid grasp of the "delete" key, and a few rough drafts you hope no one ever sees. Creativity isn’t optional—it’s how you keep people awake long enough to actually learn something.
Chapter One: The Kid with the Notebook
I’ve been writing since the days of spiral notebooks and scented markers. Even as a kid, I jumped at any chance to put my ideas into words—and yes, I actually liked English class. That creative streak stuck with me, from storytelling in grade school to late-night essays in high school.
Chapter Two: The Major Plot Twist
At Eastern Michigan University, I was sure I’d major in creative writing. Plot twist: I fell in love with technical communication. That’s when I realized writing isn’t just for telling stories—it can solve problems, simplify chaos, and make complex things understandable. (Also, weirdly enough, I find writing instructions fun. It’s like solving a tiny word puzzle.)
Chapter Three: Enter Instructional Design
My co-op at DTE Energy started as a great college gig and quickly turned into a full-blown career spark. I created training materials, wrote internal communications, and built learning plans—and loved every second of it. That’s when I realized: helping adults learn through clear, creative content? Yeah, this is what I want to do.
Chapter Four: Today
Now, I focus on making technical content feel human. I translate complex ideas into clear, accessible learning experiences. Whether it’s a slide deck, a job aid, or a full-blown course, I’m here to bridge the gap between expertise and understanding—with clarity, creativity, and purpose.