About Me & My Design Philosophy
Iām Heather Rivers, an instructional designer and training specialist with a strong passion for helping others grow through intentional, engaging learning experiences. My professional journey began in the classroom, where I spent over a decade as a teacher and assistant principal. From there, I transitioned into leading professional development, designing curriculum, and building my own tutoring company. Each of these roles deepened my commitment to creating impactful learning that supports both individual growth and organizational goals.
I design with the learner in mind, focusing on real-world application, clarity, and accessibility. My approach is grounded in empathy, practical experience, and a clear understanding of how people learn best. Whether I'm creating self-paced modules, job aids, or instructor-led training, my goal is always to make learning meaningful and relevant.
I use the ADDIE framework to guide my design process. This structure ensures that each solution I create is purposeful and aligned with learner and business needs.
Analysis: I start by identifying the root problem through data, learner input, and stakeholder collaboration. This helps define clear goals and priorities.
Design: I create intentional learning paths, write measurable objectives, and plan interactive strategies that support engagement and retention.
Development: I build course content using tools like Rise 360, Articulate Storyline, Canva, and Vyond. I focus on visuals, usability, and clarity to bring ideas to life.
Implementation: I help ensure content is delivered smoothly, whether it's hosted in an LMS, taught in-person, or rolled out across a remote team.
Evaluation: I gather feedback and review results to refine the learning experience and demonstrate impact.
You can explore my featured work in the Portfolio section. Each project showcases how I apply this process to solve real problems and support learners every step of the way.