Hey, I’m Cari.

My instructional design philosophy centers on creating strategic learning experiences that transform knowledge into actionable skills. I design training that doesn't just inform—it empowers individuals and drives success.

Work with Me

My Approach

Learning Design Philosophy

I'm a firm believer in starting with the end in mind. Using backward design, I first ask: "What should learners be able to do when this is over?" From those clear, measurable objectives, I build backward—designing assessments that prove mastery, then creating logical, step-by-step curriculum that prepares learners for success.

Why

This structured approach means nothing is left to chance. Every module builds on the last, every activity has purpose, and learners follow a clear path from where they are to where they need to be. The result? Training that's focused, efficient, and actually works.

  • 15+ Years Training Experience

    Corporate and Public in-person settings

  • 10 Years Education Experience

    Designing and implementing high-quality, differentiated content

  • Degrees & Certifications

    Supporting academic excellence and industry proficiency

Get in Touch!

I would love to discuss potential instructional design positions or projects!

Contact me

FAQ

  • Yes, and I actually bring years of hands-on experience with these instructional design principles from my K-12 teaching career. ADDIE is essentially the Understanding by Design (UbD) or backwards design framework I used to plan curriculum—starting with clear, measurable learning objectives (standards), designing assessments to measure mastery, then building learning activities and scaffolding to support student success. The evaluation phase was ongoing through formative assessments, summative tests, and data analysis. SAM mirrors the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) or continuous improvement cycles common in education—where we'd pilot instructional strategies, collect student work and feedback, reflect on effectiveness, and refine our approach. These corporate ID models validate what effective educators have always done: design intentionally, teach responsively, and improve continuously based on learner outcomes.

  • Very comfortable. I work daily in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office and adapt easily to new platforms. Throughout my career, I've quickly mastered educational software, project management tools like Trello, and eLearning authoring tools including Articulate Storyline 360 and Rise 360. I have a knack for picking up new technology efficiently—I'm self-directed with learning new platforms and focus on using tools effectively to achieve instructional and project goals. If it's a tool I haven't used, I'm confident I can learn it quickly and apply it strategically.

  • "Very confident. I've used generative AI regularly to develop classroom materials and assessments, and I've completed certification courses on AI in Higher Education to stay current on best practices and ethical implementation. Interestingly, my Master's degree in Information Sciences gave me a strong foundation in information retrieval and query formulation—skills that translate directly to effective prompt engineering. I know how to craft precise prompts, iterate for quality outputs, and critically evaluate AI-generated content to ensure it meets instructional standards. I view AI as a productivity multiplier that enhances creativity and efficiency, while maintaining instructional rigor and learner-centeredness."