Helping people make something useful of what they learn

Learning & Training

Much of my work has centered on a practical question: how do you help people understand something new well enough to actually use it? Over the years, the audience changed—from students and teachers to adult learners, employees, and workforce participants—but that question remained remarkably consistent.

1995 newspaper article headlined Technology puts students, teachers online — 1995 — “Technology puts students, teachers online”

Technology adoption

When “online” was still new

This newspaper clipping is one of my favorite artifacts from that period because it captures the work while it was happening. In 1995, putting teachers and students online was not routine. It was a genuine change in how people worked, learned, communicated, and found information.

My role was never simply to introduce a piece of technology. The more important work was helping people understand what it could do, reducing the uncertainty that comes with change, and giving them enough practical experience to become confident users.

1993–2011

School District of Lee County

Professional Learning & Technology Adoption

As an Instructional Technology Specialist, I designed and delivered professional development, demonstrations, implementation resources, coaching, and ongoing support for educators adopting new technologies. The work included LMS implementation, Microsoft Office applications, multimedia, internet resources, and other technologies being introduced across the district.

Train-the-Trainer became an important part of the approach. By developing and mentoring other Instructional Technology Specialists, the district could expand its capacity while giving users more consistent support.

2001–2005

SMaRT / NASA Kennedy Space Center

Learning as an Experience

SMaRT took professional learning well beyond a conventional workshop. More than 150 educators participated in immersive multi-day programs developed in collaboration with NASA Kennedy Space Center, with sessions involving NASA educators, scientists, astronauts, and other specialists.

The learning mattered, but so did everything surrounding it: participant communication, schedules, materials, transportation, lodging, meals, stipends, continuing education, and the countless details that allow people to focus on the experience itself.

2015–2017

Florida SouthWestern State College

Adult Learning & Workforce Development

Xcel-IT shifted the setting again. Participants were adults pursuing certificates connected to employment in information technology, business, logistics, supply chain, transportation, engineering technology, and network security.

The work required more than getting people enrolled. It meant helping participants navigate requirements, stay connected to the program, and continue moving toward credential completion while building relationships with faculty, employers, workforce agencies, and community partners.

“Technology changes. Programs change. The people using them still need many of the same things: a reason to care, a practical way to begin, and someone willing to help when the first attempt doesn't go quite as planned.”

Douglas Goldman