Heather Messenger

Educator and student-support professional with graduate-level education and extensive experience teaching, coaching, presenting, evaluating student performance, and developing educational materials.

Experience includes K–12 substitute teaching and youth development, face-to-face and online instruction of associate-degree students, and undergraduate instruction at the University of Michigan. Skilled in building supportive relationships with learners, facilitating interactive instruction, assessing progress, providing constructive feedback, adapting instruction to individual learning needs, and using technology to support education and communication. Additional professional experience includes program coordination, curriculum development, research, data management, public speaking, and patient/family education.

Substitute Teacher - K–12 Educational Settings - Michigan

• Supported students across elementary and school-age learning environments while maintaining established classroom routines and instructional expectations.
• Provided individual and small-group assistance to students with varying academic abilities and learning needs.
• Built rapport with students while maintaining appropriate expectations for participation, behavior, and academic progress.
• Reinforced teacher-created lessons and helped students stay focused, organized, and engaged.
• Adapted communication and instructional support according to student age, ability, and classroom needs.
• Used encouragement, redirection, questioning, and feedback to help students work through frustration, distraction, and academic challenges.
• Supported youth development through positive communication, encouragement, accountability, and relationship building.

Graduate Student Instructor – Clinical Dental Hygiene - University of Michigan

Taught baccalaureate-level students for one semester while completing graduate study at the University of Michigan.

• Co-responsible for instruction, student support, evaluation, and assessment.
• Led a discussion section of approximately 30 undergraduate students.
• Evaluated clinical assignments and provided individualized feedback regarding student performance.
• Supported students in applying academic knowledge to practical clinical situations.
• Facilitated discussion and encouraged critical thinking, professional development, and problem solving.

Clinical, Didactic & Online Instructor of Dental Hygiene - Lansing Community College

(2009 - 2011)

Taught associate-degree students in face-to-face, clinical, didactic, and online learning environments.

• Developed and delivered instructional content appropriate for diverse learning formats.
• Guided students through academic concepts, clinical competencies, and professional-development requirements.
• Evaluated student progress through assignments, assessments, observation, and competency-based evaluation.
• Provided individualized coaching and constructive feedback to students experiencing academic or clinical challenges.
• Used online instructional tools to communicate with students, distribute learning materials, facilitate instruction, and monitor coursework.
• Helped students develop organization, accountability, problem-solving, communication, and professional skills.

Program Director / Coordinator – Dental Hygiene - Hagerstown Community College

(2013 - 2014)

• Coordinated development and preparation of a higher-education academic program.
• Prepared the dental hygiene program for initial accreditation and program readiness.
• Assisted with curriculum, instructional planning, program standards, documentation, and assessment procedures.
• Coordinated faculty, administrative, and program-development activities.
• Prepared program materials for the October 2013 accreditation site visit.

Consultant – Dental Hygiene Program Accreditation - Hagerstown Community College

(2012 - 2012)

• Assisted with the initial Commission on Dental Accreditation application for a developing academic program.
• Worked with college leadership on program development, educational requirements, documentation, and accreditation preparation.

Registered Dental Hygienist | Data Entry Clinical Manager | Researcher - Michigan State University Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

• Worked with both pediatric and adult populations in comprehensive and outreach settings.
• Educated patients and families using clear, individualized explanations appropriate to age, background, knowledge level, and individual concerns.
• Developed trusting relationships with individuals who frequently experienced anxiety or uncertainty regarding treatment.
• Used coaching, education, and supportive communication to improve understanding and participation.
• Managed clinical data entry and documentation requiring accuracy, organization, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Worked with multidisciplinary professionals across multiple locations and outreach programs.
• Participated in research, data collection, analysis, professional education, and presentation activities.

Researcher - Michigan State University

Co-author: “A Cross-Sectional Study of the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network Dataset for Outcomes of Dental Extractions in People with Hemophilia.” Worked with clinical and research data involving the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network dataset.

• Research data management
• Clinical data entry
• Information review and verification
• Professional documentation
• Presentation of research findings

Research Presenter - American Society of Hematology Conference

(2021-12 - 2021-12)

Presented research concerning outcomes of dental extractions among individuals with hemophilia through oral and poster presentation.

Virtual Presenter - Virtual Upper Peninsula Patient & Family Retreat

(2021-11 - 2021-11)

Presented: “Dental and Oral Health: Disease, Prevention, Treatment, and Dental Anxiety Considerations” Delivered virtual education for patients and families using accessible explanations and interactive educational communication.

Presenter - HFM Women’s National Conference

(2021-10 - 2021-10)

Presented education addressing disease prevention, treatment, patient challenges, anxiety, coping tools, and strategies for improving health behaviors.

Educational Sessions - Michigan State University

Developed and delivered educational PowerPoint presentations for profess

Master of Education – In Progress - Pre-K–3 Teacher Certification Program - Concordia University Ann Arbor

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene, MSDH - University of Michigan – Rackham Graduate School (2014)

Bachelor of Applied Science, BAS - Siena Heights University (2007)

Associate of Applied Science, AAS - Dental Hygiene - Lansing Community College (2004)