May 19, 2023
Dear Search Committee and Hiring Manager,
Excited to have the opportunity to work for another global organization at Apple Leisure Group! With my rich, diverse, and global instructional design and academic professional experiences, training certifications, and advanced education wherein I am about to complete my Doctorate in Post-Secondary and Adult Education, I am prepared to fulfill your needs as Instructional Designer!
Instructional Designer / Training Specialist / Program Development
I have over nine years of experience researching, preparing, developing, facilitating, auditing, and evaluating various training sessions that are delivered both synchronously (in-person and virtually) and on-demand. My experience is varied, including work in a medical practice, community college, large non-profit organization, cryptocurrency mining company, and a top five Fortune 500 company.
I utilize various instructional design models, such as ADDIE, BOPPPS, Backwards Design, Rapid Prototyping, Mayer's 12 Principles of Multimedia Learning, Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction, and Kirkpatrick's Foundational Evaluation, to ensure that the training sessions are effective and meet the needs of the learners and participants.
My approach to instructional design includes focusing on accessibility, learning styles and preferences, and overall user experience. I place a strong emphasis on writing clear and measurable objectives, as well as utilizing various adult learning assumptions and principles, such as andragogy, to support the development of skills, knowledge, and competencies.
I have conducted training and onboarding for new hires (including travel to various states) and current associates, covering a range of topics, such as the systems used in the workplace (electronic health records, internal software systems, learning management systems, etc.), State and Federal training requirements (like OSHA) and program overviews (such as a trauma-informed organization). In addition, I have experience authoring technical documents and standard operating procedures.
Academic Teaching / Mentoring / Tutoring / Coaching
As a lifelong and self-directed learner who values accountability and inclusion, I have accumulated over two decades of experience in academia, working in various community colleges, international universities, and online universities. I have taught a diverse range of courses, including Human Growth and Development, Statistics, Student Success and Personal Development, and Industrial Psychology courses, among others, in psychology, behavioral health science, and counseling departments. My experience working with a diverse group of learners, including under-represented and under-prepared students, demonstrates my flexibility and ability to teach a wide range of subjects.
I have also played a supportive role in promoting the mission and vision of the academic institutions where I have worked. For example, I have served as a mentor to students, tutored in a tutoring center, and volunteered as an assistant coach for student-athletes. I focus on engaging students in class through Socratic questioning and use a variety of assessment methods, such as papers, exams, and group projects and presentations, to measure their learning.
I have participated in various committees and activities at the department, campus, and district levels to promote the strategic goals of the institutions, such as serving on the Academic Assessment Teams, the Baltimore County Public Schools College Readiness Teaching Committee, the Instructional Skills Workshop, and the Teaching and Learning Roundtable. My extensive experience in academia has garnered positive reviews and I invite you to learn more about my teaching and learning philosophy.
Academic Service and Certifications
Loving to continuously learn and develop skills and competencies, I have prepared, facilitated, and evaluated various evidence-based classes, workshops, seminars, and roundtable sessions. As a member of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science, I have presented sessions at the National Institute Teaching of Psychology and the League for Innovation in the Community College. I have also presented and revised evidence-based sessions such as Stepping On and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, as well as received worldwide-accepted certifications such as CPR/AED for the American Red Cross. I have received grant funding from the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and continue to update my certification with a diverse range of topics, including Google's Foundation of User Experience (UX) Design, Quality Matters, Six Sigma Principles, Inclusive Leadership: The Power of Workplace Diversity, Positive Psychology, and a Storyboard Workshop.
Marketing / Business Management / Leadership
As a managing member of a successful and multi-awarded physical therapy practice in which I was able to lead the organization from inception to generating at least $45,000 a month; I have over eight (8) years of managing a team and an organization. A big part of my function was to hire and train new and current associates. I was able to develop on-demand training materials, policies and procedures, especially when Covid-19 hit, and built consistent referral sources; which is why I am able to transition to an honorary member of the organization. Furthermore, I have produced multiple successful marketing materials and events such as the website being ranked to the top when searched organically with various keywords; a podcast program at a local community college; and several YouTube channels and programs that promote health and wellness. I was also involved in the Leadership Academy as a Training Specialist. Moreover, I travelled to multiple states and cities (TSA PreCheck approved) to conduct new hire orientation and collaborate with subject matter experts and senior management.
Community Engagement / Volunteer Work / Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belongingness
As a successful leader who works well with multiple stakeholders, supervisors, co-owners, and community members from government, private, and non-profit organizations, I continuously support and promote programs and events such as Special Olympics, Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, Local Health Improvement Coalition, Coalition of Geriatric Services, and more. I also demonstrate my willingness to give back to the community through my involvement in volunteer efforts such as Armed Forces Appreciation, MLK 5K, and Age-Friendly. Additionally, I have taught courses on diversity and multiculturalism that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness.
Technology
With technology playing a vital role in achieving successful outcomes across various functions, including online learning, marketing, and business operations, I have actively leveraged its capabilities throughout my professional journey. For instance, I possess expertise in troubleshooting printer issues and upgrading computer hard drives, ensuring seamless transfer of content and saved files to new devices. My proficiency extends to Microsoft and Google applications, as well as diverse Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Blackboard, Canvas, Relias, WebCT, and other SaaS-based programs.
Continuously engaging with eLearning and video/audio authoring and editing tools such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate 360, Cyberlink, OBS, and more, I remain up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field. Moreover, I have developed a solid foundation in various online meeting platforms including Zoom, WebEx, RingCentral, and others, enabling efficient collaboration and communication. In order to foster active learning, I incorporate dynamic strategies such as Kahoot!, Padlet, MindMaps, and other interactive tools.
Furthermore, I have effectively utilized marketing and survey programs like Mailchimp and SurveyMonkey, along with project/design management software including Asana, Figma, Jira, and Studiobinder. As part of my continuous professional development, I am actively preparing for Azure 900 and CompTIA certification exams. I am enthusiastic about sharing additional details regarding my experience with password management and web-creation tools. Please feel free to inquire further about my technological competencies, as I have a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in this domain.
Thank you for strongly considering my application to be your next committed, skilled, and experienced Instructional Designer! I hope to discuss my credentials further with you and your good team. I am looking forward to cheer for the Bucks and Giannis again next season!
Sincerely,
r. evangelista