LEARNING EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
Partner with me to design learning experiences that build relevant skills and knowledge to heighten performance across organizational types. My process involves discovery, ideation, design, development, revision, evaluation, and reinforcement, along with the creation of materials to facilitate learning transfer. I also provide continued support to ensure long-term success and impact.
CONTENT CREATION
Hire me to write collateral that boosts organizational messages, programs, and stories. Blog posts, articles, white papers, case studies, best practices, technical documents, strategic plans, and program recommendations are among myriad assets I create to make your organization stand out.
GRANT WRITING
Engage me to write compelling grant proposals to underscore your non-profit organization’s positive footprint. I’ve raised over $3 million to sustain and launch programs that include AIDS/HIV prevention; legal advocacy for children with special needs; and after-school literacy efforts. I identify funders, research data, conduct needs assessments, and develop strong program plans and cases.
PROGRAM STRATEGY
Work with me to implement a new initiative for your non-profit organization. Or strengthen existing projects. I do all of the legwork such as leading strategic planning; conducting qualitative assessments; and running focus groups. I bring an objective view of your organization’s landscape and footprint.
TEACHER
Michele was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Democratic Congo Republic (formerly Zaire), where she taught EFL to middle-high school students. She spoke fluent French and Lingala (a beautiful Bantu language). Michele was also an education volunteer in Kiryat Ata, Israel, a development town where she taught ESL to underserved students.
COACH
Michele has been a virtual learning coach with NoVo Ed, an online learning platform that offers a free virtual five-week learning experience design course. She provides suggestions, insight, and resources to boost participants’ grasp of learning design processes.
FUNDRAISER
Michele raised over $1.5 million (corporate, foundation, municipal) for Brooklyn-based NYC public schools for a range of initiatives: mindfulness, school gardens, technology, books, and environmental projects. She was a delegate on the NYC Council District 38 Participatory Budget education committee and secured over $1 million in tech upgrades for seven schools in the district.
GARDENER
Michele developed the award-winning school garden at P.S. 107, Brooklyn, NY that was featured in Michele Obama’s 2012 book American Grown, won 10K via the 2013 NYC DOS Golden Apple Award, and was selected as the PTO Today 2009 Parent Group of the Year for Outstanding Job on a Completed Major Project. P.S 107 was among schools that piloted the NYC SchoolFood Garden to Cafe program. Michele also launched a garden and other greening efforts at New Voices Middle School, Brooklyn, NY. Michele garnered support for these through grants, awards, and donations.
NETWORKER
Michele manages the Slack group Writing for the Education Market (WEM), a network of over 600 freelance writers who produce educational content across age groups, subject areas, and genres. It’s a supportive community that bolsters opportunity by sharing jobs and resources and discussing the gig economy. Consider joining WEM either as a writer or an employer seeking writing talent.
ORGANIZER
For 11 years, Michele managed the NYC Youth and School Garden Network, a virtual group of 600+ educators building school gardens to foster food equity, enrich environmental education, and bolster classroom science. She moderated the network’s Google group and blog, where she provided curated resources and encouraged dialogue on school gardening trends and practices. Along with this work, Michele organized free workshops with local organizations on topics such as pest management, bias and race in school garden settings, and rooftop gardens.
Andrea Flores
Senior Learning Experience Learning Designer, World Mosquito Program
“Michele was a writer for a new course we were developing at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (where I was a senior learning designer). She always had a positive attitude, was able to work with very little supervision, and wrote assessments and content with minimum direction. She’s an excellent thought partner and problem solver.”
Brittany Tawes
Learning Experience Designer, NovoEd
“Michele has volunteered as a learning coach for our free five-week online learning experience design course. I find the insightful and detailed comments she gives her learners on their assignments to be inspiring and motivating. She is fantastic at facilitating learning experiences, and has deep knowledge of adult learning.”
Chris Scherer
Director, New Program Initiatives & Digital Learning, Rutgers University
“While at Films Media Group (formerly Films for the Humanities & Sciences), I hired Michele to create instructional designs for educational programs and teachers’ guides; research and assign educational standards; and analyze program script. I was struck by the quality of her research, and her talents as a writer able to translate difficult concepts into terms that teachers, students, and producers understand.”
Susan O’Brien
Nursing Program Administrator, NYC DOHMH Office of School Health
“Michele is an incredibly talented curriculum developer and trainer. She is also extremely hardworking and conscientious. Her curriculum work is imaginative, interactive, and exciting for the learner. She effectively conveys necessary key messages.”