Written by Mariah Verdeal.
Real-world experience, lasting impact, and an exciting path ahead.
Introduction
In 2022, I made one of the biggest leaps of my career — I pressed pause on my comfortable and consistent career as a middle school math teacher to focus full-time on my studies and chase a new dream. I knew I was ready for something more: a way to blend my love for education, creativity, and technology into something that could reach learners far beyond my classroom walls. That decision led me to the world of instructional design. And through opportunities like The Learning Agency’s real-world experience program, I’ve been able to build the skills, confidence, and excitement I need to start this next chapter strong.
A Leap of Faith
After years of working towards building engaging lessons for my students, I realized that one of the things I loved most was the design process itself. There was something about the opportunity to use my creativity, map out the structure, and design learning experiences that were engaging and memorable that made me want to do more. Eager to gain some new skills and expand on my basic understanding of online tools and technology, I applied to the Learning Design & Technology graduate program at CU Denver and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made. That, paired with the unique opportunity to take a year sabbatical from my teaching position, led me to embark on a new learning experience that I will forever be grateful for.
Why I Chose to Pivot into Instructional Design
After years of mastering the art of backwards design and turning curriculum into engaging lessons, I realized that what I loved most was the design process itself and the impact it could have on different kinds of learners. I knew I didn’t want to leave education behind just right away, I only wanted to reimagine how I could make an even bigger difference if I just knew how to make it better. Instructional design felt like the perfect next step: a way to blend everything I loved about teaching with new tools, new strategies, and a whole new world of learners. The LDT program gave me insights and the foundational knowledge of topics like critical digital pedagogy, humanizing learning design, and project management that has expanded my understanding of design and I have been able to apply it to my studies and even take back to the classroom.
My Experience in the Learning Design & Technology Program
Joining the Learning Design & Technology program at the University of Colorado Denver was a game-changer for me. It wasn’t just about learning theories. It was about applying them through real-world projects that pushed me to grow. I worked on projects anywhere from storyboarding eLearning modules to designing interactive learning activities to experiencing what it’s like to step into the role of project management from start to finish. My coursework throughout the program gave me the chance to put my skills into action, refine my creativity, and build a strong professional portfolio. In addition, the collaboration with my peers, feedback from professors, and exposure to industry tools like Articulate Rise, Adobe Creative Suite, and learning management systems made the experience even more valuable. And with that strong foundation from my studies, I was then able to roll up my sleeves and dive into real-world projects with the Learning Agency that allowed me to hone in on my skills and deliver projects that tied all of my learning together. Every project was a new challenge and a new opportunity to connect the dots between effective design and meaningful learning.
How I’ve Grown and Looking Ahead
Looking back as I have now reached the end of my time with the program, I can see how much I’ve grown. Not just in technical skills, but in my confidence, creativity, and the ability to design learning experiences that can have real impact. As I reflect on this journey, I’m filled with pride, gratitude, and excitement. Taking that initial leap away from the classroom wasn’t easy, but it opened doors I never could have imagined. And while I have stepped back into the classroom for the time being, I know that my journey doesn’t end here as there is a world full of opportunities that will hopefully lead me down a new career path in the near future. The Learning Design & Technology program at CU Denver has helped me discover that I am capable of way more than I give myself credit for and has shown me that stepping outside my comfort zone can lead to tremendous rewards and opportunities. I’m excited to keep learning, keep designing, and keep creating experiences that empower others. The future is wide open — and I can’t wait to see where life takes me next.
