Wagner College

The University of Texas at Austin

The American Montessori Society

Curriculum Developer  at StrongMind

McGraw Hill

Senior Academic Designer, Literacy/Primary Grades

The Elevator Pitch Version:

I create innovative, interactive online curricula for K-12 students. K-2 ELA holds a special place in my heart. 

The Resume Version

Plan, develop, and author interactive, digital instruction, assessments, multimedia, and teacher materials

Edit, proofread, revise, and peer-review instruction, assessments, scripts, and teacher materials

Develop and review project documentation, including guidelines and checklists

Uphold standards for accessible and inclusive content

Collaborate with Emmy award-winning Creative team on conceptualizing and developing multimedia assets (scripts, videos, audios, art, and interactives)

Pivot quickly in a dynamic environment while meeting tight production timelines 

Collaborate with vendors, offering and welcoming constructive feedback during peer reviews

Directed a team of content developers, subject matter experts, instructional designers, editors, copyright coordinator, and production assistants from planning through publishing stages

Recruited, hired, trained, and mentored subject matter experts and interns

Additional roles: Voiceover artist and coach (including phonics instruction), video actor

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬:
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲: K-2 ELA (including instruction for phonics, reading comprehension, writing, grammar and language, speaking and listening); K-5 ELA (media and scripts); K-3 Art; K-1 Health
𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥: 6-8 ELA
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥: Art History, Fashion Design, Principles of Marketing, Physical Education, Entrepreneurship, Public Speaking, Project-Based Learning

StrongMind

Curriculum Designer and Writer

The Elevator Pitch Version:

I helped companies with their content marketing: social media management, blog writing, e-course curriculum design and development, e-book writing, copywriting, editing, Facebook ads, SEO and more. 

The Resume Version:

Collaborated with the good people at Ruiz Foods to create new brand and voice guidelines for their market-leading roller grill snack, Tornados. 

Resuscitated a client's mostly dead Facebook page (currently at 340,000 followers) by taking on the role of community manager in mid-May 2016. 

Crafted copy for a client's Facebook posts and ads, resulting in a 2,518% increase in reach and a 400% increase in engagement. 

Researched and wrote blog posts for Ruiz Foods, RA for Men, IBC Hotels, The Late Bloomer Revolution (700+ posts) and ZOG Digital.

Developed whimsical, inspirational brand voice and presence across The Late Bloomer Revolution website, e-courses, sales pages, 700+ blog posts, videos, books, newsletters, autoresponder series and social media, resulting in a 2,799% growth in subscribers in two years

Late Bloomer Productions LLC

Marketer | Writer | Educator | Founder 

The Elevator Pitch Version:

I collaborated closely with schools and districts to provide customized educational content, software, and services for pre-K through high school. 

The Resume Version:

Achieved highest percentage to sales goal on sales team for five consecutive years, finishing each year between 104 - 163% of goal.

Communicated and collaborated regularly with Curriculum Specialists, Consultants, and Authors (e.g., Dr. Freddy Hiebert and Dr. Adria Klein) to provide curriculum solutions (including Intervention, Technology, and PD) for districts.

Strategized and implemented business plan unique to extremely busy territory.

Built strong and loyal relationships with schools and districts through regular and timely communication, product knowledge, and a genuine, compassionate understanding of the customers’ needs.

Pearson

Account Executive, Pre-K-12 Curriculum

The Elevator Pitch Version:

I was the second coming of Mary Poppins.

The Resume Version:

Designed and developed performing and visual arts curricula for children ages 3-12.

Taught performing and visual arts curricula to children ages 3 - 12 in private and Montessori schools.

Marketed program through newsletters, demonstration classes and free press, resulting in waiting lists and a 200% increase in revenue.

Commended by field observer from The National Association of Young Children as the “best early childhood music class.”

ArtVentures for Kids

Educator | Curriculum Developer | Founder

The Elevator Pitch Version

I created an environment to foster a lifelong love of learning in children ages 3-6. 

The Resume Version:

Implemented Montessori-based ELA curriculum, emphasizing foundational literacy skills

Employed Montessori methodologies to foster a love for reading and writing, utilizing hands-on, experiential learning techniques suited for young learners in a multi-age setting of preschool and kindergarten

Tracked students' progress, adapting materials and strategies to cater to individual needs and ensuring each child's readiness for subsequent lessons

Michelle DeSpain