Susan James

Analytical instructional designer and curriculum specialist with 15+ years of experience reviewing written instructional content against structured criteria for clarity, accuracy, alignment, accessibility, and usability. Skilled in identifying gaps, ambiguity, unsupported assumptions, and inconsistencies; documenting evidence-based findings; and providing precise written feedback to strengthen quality. Experienced in independent remote work, detailed guidelines, iterative review cycles, and applying standards-based frameworks consistently.

Curriculum Developer / Instructional Designer at Kids Academy (2021-01 – 2025-12)

• Reviewed instructional materials, activities, and digital learning content against learning objectives, standards, and defined quality criteria to identify gaps in alignment, clarity, sequencing, and learner support.
• Provided specific written feedback and revision recommendations to improve accuracy, usability, accessibility, and consistency across curriculum and digital-learning projects.
• Designed competency-based materials and assessment-aligned learning activities, applying success criteria to determine whether content and learner tasks supported the intended outcome.
• Analyzed written directions, examples, practice activities, and assessments for ambiguity, missing information, unsupported skill demands, and mismatches between instruction and evaluation.
• Collaborated with stakeholders through feedback and revision cycles, documenting changes and maintaining consistent quality across reusable instructional resources.
• Developed standards-aligned literacy resources, structured literacy materials, and interactive eLearning experiences for K–5 learners and professional learning environments.
• Applied UDL, WIDA, and accessibility principles to review and strengthen content for diverse learners and varied access needs.

Teacher at Argonne Child Development Center (2025-01 – Present)

• Support daily classroom routines, learning activities, supervision, and responsive care in an inclusive early childhood education center.

M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction – National-Louis University