Course Developer
and Instructor
At CTY, I’ve designed and led accelerated humanities courses for US and international, gifted, upper elementary students, blending academic rigor with creative, gamified instruction. To increase engagement and assignment completion, I transformed my traditional ancient worlds classroom course into a fully gamified experience, resulting in 100% assignment completion and 90% post-test gains.
I also lead two online courses, Mystery Writing and Storytelling Through Photography, each designed to foster narrative skills through interactive, student-centered learning.
Currently, I’m developing a new archaeology course that integrates design thinking, data analysis, and hands-on exploration to teach excavation and interpretation skills. Work samples will be up when I'm finished with the course in the first quarter of 2026. My work at CTY reflects a commitment to engaging diverse learners through innovative, cross-disciplinary curriculum.
Playful Learning & Gamification – Ancient Worlds Course
In my Ancient Worlds classroom course, I infused playful learning into every aspect of instruction. Students took on the roles of intrepid explorers, collaborating on class projects that blended historical inquiry with imaginative storytelling. During museum field trips, I designed interactive task cards that transformed passive observation into active engagement—encouraging students to connect exhibit content with classroom learning through creative challenges and reflection. This approach fostered deeper understanding, collaboration, and joy in learning, making history come alive through play.
Creative Writing & Visual Storytelling:
Whodunnit? & Through the Lens
I designed and taught two dynamic online courses for gifted learners: Whodunnit?, about mystery writing, and Through the Lens, which explored storytelling through photography and design thinking. Both courses featured a wide range of interactive activities that encouraged students to experiment, collaborate, and showcase their learning through creative projects. From crafting suspenseful narratives to composing visual stories with intentional design, students engaged deeply with the material while building critical thinking and communication skills. My approach emphasized student voice, choice, and creativity, making each course a personalized and immersive experience.
