Susan Blakesley

Certified, Instructional Designer and Developer who creates engaging learning solutions to meet organizational goals. Demonstrated success in formulating eLearning modules, trainer guides, information architecture and microlearning content that aligns with key performance indicators and results of needs analyses. Utilizes iterative design principles along with technology, including Generative AI, improving production time and information retention for users.

Instructional Designer at Susan Blakesley Designs (2025-01 – Present)

• Effective Collaboration: Collaborated with 5 SMEs to develop 7 microlearning modules, reviewing design documents and storyboards to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Accessibility and Quality Assurance: Conducted comprehensive quality assurance audits, improving accessibility scores by an average of 80% through implementing WCAG 2.1/UDL standards.
• Workflow Optimization: Audited and streamlined digital content creation and production, consolidating asset generation (audio, video, images) to accelerate production times.
• Rapid Prototyping: Generated scenario-based learning scripts and storyboards, with AI support. This resulted in accelerating the revision cycle by 25%.

Curriculum Writer at Educator's Rising/PDK International (2026-01 – Present)

• Alignment and Delivery: Achieved 100% on-time delivery of instructional projects tailored to meet specific organizational goals.
• Quality Assurance: Audited and refined written content to ensure all instructional materials met high-level pedagogical standards and developmental appropriateness for national audiences.

Adult Learning and Onboarding Designer/ Educator at Montgomery County Public Schools, MD (2021-08 – 2025-07)

• Onboarding Design: Refined adult-learner onboarding modules, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement and attendance.
• Multimodal Delivery: Facilitated 20+ high-engagement ILT and VILT sessions, incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to support accessibility and comprehension.
• Visual Communication: Developed a comprehensive library of 25 digital and print support resources to encourage user self-sufficiency and minimize the need for direct staff support.

Learning Program Specialist & Educator at Montgomery County Public Schools, MD (2012-08 – 2021-07)

• Performance Impact Analysis: Managed training initiatives for 150 end-users, establishing individualized success plans and tracking progress metrics.
• Digital Integration: Leveraged design tools including Figma and Snagit to modernize training modules, resulting in a 40% increase in learner participation.
• Outcome-Driven Design: Conducted target audience needs assessments. Aligned all curriculum development and instructional learning outcomes to organizational KPIs and compliance standards.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partnered with cross-functional SMEs and stakeholders to design performance interventions for 150+ learners. Secured leadership buy-in by presenting progress metrics and comprehensive reporting.

Educator at Montgomery County Public Schools and Prince George's County Public Schools (1996-01 – 2012-07)

Focus: Curriculum design, Universal Design for learning and Assistive Technology Integration

Master of Education in Special Education – University of Maryland

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education – University of Maryland