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Meet Mikey

From Classroom Innovation to Learning Experience Design

Transforming complex content into engaging, impactful learning experiences for 20 years.

Hi there! I'm Mikey.

My path in education has been driven by a deep commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences. While my journey began in the classroom where I discovered my passion for teaching, it has evolved into something even more dynamic.

Throughout my career, I’ve developed a unique perspective on learning – one that bridges the gap between traditional education and modern instructional design.

Through my work with Math Learning Center and my own consulting business, I’ve discovered that my true calling lies in crafting learning experiences that respect and engage adult learners. This isn’t just about transferring knowledge; it’s about creating meaningful, multi-modal experiences that honor different learning styles and preferences.

My consistent 96% satisfaction rating in professional development workshops speaks to this approach – when learning is thoughtfully designed, it resonates with people.

What sets my approach apart is my understanding of both child and adult learning principles. This dual perspective has proven invaluable in developing everything from trauma-informed teaching modules to strategy-based mathematics instruction. I’ve learned that while the audiences may differ, the core principles remain: engagement is non-negotiable, multiple access points are essential, and every minute spent learning should feel valuable to the learner.

I believe effective learning design stands on three pillars:

Today, as I focus fully on instructional design, I bring both my classroom expertise and my extensive experience in digital learning solution development. Whether it’s creating comprehensive curriculum resources that reach 140,000+ students annually or developing professional development modules that achieve 92% confidence improvement rates, my goal remains consistent: creating learning experiences that truly matter.

Education & Professional Development

My formal education, including two Master’s degrees from Ohio Dominican University in Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Instruction, laid the groundwork for my understanding of learning theory and instructional design. But education never truly stops – especially in a field that continually evolves with technology and new research.

As a Google Certified Educator and Apple Teacher, I stay at the forefront of educational technology integration. My recognition as an ASCD Emerging Leader and Ohio Master Teacher reflects not just past achievements, but my commitment to continuing professional growth. I actively engage with the latest instructional design methodologies and technologies, ensuring my solutions remain innovative and effective.

Technical Expertise

My toolkit spans a wide range of modern learning technologies and platforms:

  • Learning Experience Design: Articulate 360, Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate
  • Project Management: ClickUp, Airtable, Notion, Content Snare
  • Content Development: Canva, Figma, Slido, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Suite
  • Learning Management: Kajabi, Podia, ThriveCart

 

This technical expertise, combined with my instructional design background, allows me to create seamless, engaging learning experiences across multiple platforms.

Beyond the Work

When I’m not designing learning experiences, I’m often exploring new educational technologies or finding creative ways to make complex concepts accessible. I believe that the best instructional designers never stop being learners themselves.

My background in classroom teaching continues to inform my approach to adult learning design – I understand that whether you’re teaching children or adults, the fundamental goal remains the same: creating an environment where learning feels natural, engaging, and worthwhile.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the future of learning design and the opportunities to create even more impactful, innovative learning experiences that meet the evolving needs of modern learners.

Interests in Instructional Design

My passion for instructional design is rooted in the intersection of creativity and impact. I’m particularly drawn to:

  • Creating Strategy-Based Learning: My experience transforming traditional algorithm-based instruction into strategy-focused thinking has shown me the power of teaching not just what to do, but how to think. This approach has consistently led to deeper understanding and better outcomes across all my projects.
  • Adult Learning Innovation: I’m fascinated by the unique challenges and opportunities in adult education. Whether it’s guiding resistant educators through pedagogical shifts or creating trauma-informed teaching modules, I love finding ways to make professional development genuinely engaging and immediately applicable.
  • Technology Integration: The rapid evolution of educational technology excites me. I enjoy exploring how new tools and platforms can enhance learning experiences while ensuring they remain accessible and meaningful. My work integrating 40+ educational technology platforms has shown me the transformative power of thoughtfully applied tech solutions.
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL): I’m deeply committed to creating inclusive learning experiences that work for everyone. My approach to design always considers multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, I see learning experience design becoming increasingly vital in our rapidly evolving world. My vision centers on:

  • Personalized Learning at Scale: I believe we’re moving toward a future where personalized learning becomes both more sophisticated and more accessible. I’m excited about creating adaptive learning experiences that can serve diverse audiences while maintaining high engagement and effectiveness.
  • Bridging Theory and Practice: As our understanding of adult learning continues to evolve, I aim to stay at the forefront of translating learning science into practical, engaging experiences. My goal is to continue creating learning solutions that not only teach but transform.
  • Innovation with Purpose: While I’m passionate about leveraging new technologies and methodologies, I believe the future of learning design must always prioritize meaningful outcomes over flashy features. I envision creating learning experiences that seamlessly blend innovative approaches with practical application.
  • Community and Collaboration: I see the future of learning as increasingly collaborative and community-driven. My experience achieving high satisfaction rates in workshops and training has shown me the power of creating learning environments where participants feel both challenged and supported.

Just for Fun: Beyond the Design Desk

When I’m not crafting learning experiences, you might find me:

  • Hiking my way through Cleveland’s Metroparks (I’m a bit of a trail enthusiast!)
  • Reading through my rainbow-color-organized bookshelf
  • Exploring new educational technology just for the fun of it (yes, I’m that kind of nerd!)
  • Teaching my dog Cal new tricks using the same learning principles I apply in my work
  • Creating unnecessarily detailed spreadsheets for my personal projects
  • Testing out new productivity apps and trying to automate everything possible

Quick Facts

  • Favorite Productivity Tool: Notion – where my love for organization meets my passion for design
  • Current Learning Project: Diving deep into UX design principles to enhance my learning experiences
  • Coffee or Tea: Coffee, strategically timed throughout the day like any good instructional designer
  • Most Used App: Canva – because even my grocery lists need good design principles
  • Proudest “Teacher Moment”: Successfully explaining fractions using pizza to 30 hungry fifth graders

© Mikey Sivert 2025