GOAL STATEMENT
Professional Background
I have more than twenty years of experience in teaching and developing curricula for children, adolescents, and adults. My background includes roles as a registered dental hygienist, K–12 student teacher, and dental hygiene instructor. Currently, I serve as a clinical instructor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. These experiences strengthen my ability to connect theory with practice and create engaging, effective learning experiences.
Instructional Design Projects
This portfolio highlights a variety of projects that showcase my instructional design skills. These include the ELPS-411 Leadership Capstone course built in Canvas (higher education asynchronous course design), the Dental Hygiene Home Care prototype created for the Shelby County Health Department (low-literacy adult learners), and the Big Orange Pantry prototype for UT, which applied the ADDIE method of instructional design to address food insecurity awareness. Additional projects include asynchronous training modules on oral health care, interactive e-learning prototypes developed in Articulate Storyline and Rise, a data security whiteboard presentation, and an instructional video for dog owners. I also created an accessible training resource on dental sealants.
Reflective Practice
In addition to design projects, my portfolio features a series of blog entries where I reflect on instructional design theories, professional trends, and practical applications. These writings draw inspiration from scholars such as Richard Mayer and David Merrill while also integrating insights from networking experiences and real-world case studies. They demonstrate my ability to critically evaluate design principles, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and apply theory to practice.
Design Philosophy
Ultimately, my objective as a designer is to remain learner-centered while aligning technological advancements with instructional best practices. I draw on frameworks such as ADDIE, SAM, Backward Design, Dick and Carey, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction, Mayer’s multimedia principles, Sweller’s cognitive load theory, and Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model. Through ongoing professional development and reflective practice, I am committed to creating instructional designs that positively impact learners across diverse settings.
