Graduate Work
My work in the Michigan State University MALXD program focuses on designing learning experiences that empower both youth and adult populations in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. This showcase highlights my design philosophy across three core areas:
- Equitable Literacy & Inclusion, where I apply situative learning principles to create environments where all learners have the tools to succeed.
- Intentional Technology & AI, showcasing how artificial intelligence and digital tools can be leveraged to close learning gaps rather than widen them.
- Systemic Solutions & Leadership, which explores project-based frameworks and organizational designs that support sustainable, community-wide educational growth.
Equitable Literacy & Instruction
Using JavaScript to Bridge Literacy Gaps
With recent Michigan legislation focusing on literacy and decoding, I knew I needed an engaging way to introduce my 6th-grade students to root words and prefixes. Because gamification is such a useful tool for increasing student motivation, I challenged myself to build a custom grammar game using JavaScript. I utilized Articulate Rise 360 to embed the game into a course module, creating an accessible and fun approach to foundational literacy.
Ancient Realms: A Multimodal Podcast Assessment
To provide my 6th-grade ELA students with a more inclusive way to demonstrate their learning, I designed “Ancient Realms,” a multimodal podcast creation assessment. Shifting the focus away from traditional written essays toward audio production, this project leverages Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to give diverse learners agency over their own voices. By designing the rubrics, instructional scaffolding, and technical workflows for this assessment, I empowered my students to become active content creators while developing foundational literacy and digital communication skills. Explore the assessment guide and student resources below.
Nonprofit Accessibility Audit
I conducted a comprehensive digital accessibility audit of Girls on the Run of Greater Detroit, evaluating their infrastructure against WCAG standards using tools like the WAVE Chrome Extension and axe DevTools. The evaluation revealed several significant barriers, so I developed a set of actionable recommendations, such as conducting targeted user testing with individuals of diverse abilities. For a complete walkthrough of my evaluation and proposed solutions, watch my video presentation above or view the full blog post below.
Intentional Technology & AI
Tools and Technologies Professional Development
To enable teachers to make immediate, data-driven instructional changes, I designed a choice-based “Tech Stations” professional development experience. This two-hour session utilized peer subject matter experts to lead small-group sprints on common classroom platforms. Rather than passive listening, participants actively engaged with the tools to execute specific actions, such as analyzing distraction patterns or calibrating personalized student learning paths. This PD is a component of my adaptive growth platform scope and plan. To view the complete professional development facilitation materials, including slide decks, scripts, session logistics, and feedback surveys, explore the document below.
Technology Distraction Solution
To address the challenge of digital distraction among my 6th-grade students, I utilized Liberatory Design and the ADDIE model to develop a functional, student-centered solution. After conducting empathy interviews and co-designing with fellow educators, I built the “Discernment & Focus Protocol” website, which features a “Teacher Toolkit” for instruction and a “Student Focus Zone” for independent practice. This dual-pathway approach tackles distraction through system control, explicit skill-building, and metacognitive reflection. Click the website screenshot above to explore the prototype, or read my full design journey in the blog post below.
Systemic Solutions & Learning Leadership
Organizational Profile
Building on the empathy mapping conducted during my technology distraction research, I developed a comprehensive organizational profile of Oak Park Preparatory Academy. To ensure this systemic analysis was engaging for stakeholders, I challenged myself to elevate my visual design skills by mastering dynamic presentation techniques, specifically PowerPoint’s Morph transitions. This project not only deepened my understanding of our school’s unique structural needs but also significantly advanced my technical proficiency in multimedia storytelling.
Blue Knight Learning Network
To address the challenges families face during the critical transition to middle school, I designed the Blue Knight Learning Network for Oak Park Preparatory Academy. Moving beyond traditional Parent-Teacher Outreach models, I grounded this initiative in situative learning theory to create a supportive, hybrid community of practice tailored to adult learners. The program framework leverages family-led workshops, collaborative learning circles, and project-based learning to empower parents, value their lived experiences, and build a more inclusive, equitable school culture. To view the theoretical framework and proposed implementation, explore the slide deck above or the complete research report.
Vision for Learning Design
To transform an ambitious proposal for systemic K-12 reform into an actionable strategy, I evaluated my initial vision for public education against Kotter’s 8 Steps for Leading Change. I designed a framework centered on personalized growth pathways, iterative instruction, and community-integrated learning. To effectively communicate this mission and mobilize a coalition of stakeholders, I utilized Google Vids and AI-generated media to produce a call to action. While the logistical hurdles of such a massive cultural shift are complex, this project serves as my foundational blueprint for the future of educational equity. Watch my strategic vision video above, or read my full reflection on the logistics of implementation below.