Beyond the Buzzwords: My Journey to Impactful EdTech UX Research

In the fast-evolving world of EdTech, innovation is everywhere, but true impact often boils down to one thing: deeply understanding the user. For years, my professional journey has been driven by a singular mission: to ensure technology genuinely serves the people it's designed for. This mission recently led me to undertake a significant brand refresh – not just of my portfolio, but of how I articulate my unique value as a UX Researcher, especially within the EdTech space.

My path might seem unconventional: from nearly two decades in the K-12 classroom, specializing as a Reading Specialist and Literacy Expert, to leading complex UX research for major enterprise applications. But for me, it was always an evolution, not a departure. In both education and enterprise, I witnessed a common challenge: technology, despite its promise, often created barriers rather than breakthroughs. This realization solidified my passion for UX research – a field where I could truly bridge the gap between user needs, organizational goals, and technological implementation.

Unpacking the "Why": My Research Philosophy

My research philosophy is deeply informed by my direct experience with diverse users. In the classroom, I conducted in-depth qualitative user research with

500+ K-12 students to assess literacy needs, learning preferences, and cognitive development. This wasn't just data collection; it was about understanding how real children interact with learning tools when no one's watching, how teachers adapt (or abandon) technologies that don’t fit their workflow, and how small usability issues can become major obstacles.

This profound understanding of learner behavior and educational environments now underpins every research question I ask and every strategic recommendation I make.

From Complex Systems to Quantifiable Impact

My recent experience as an Associate UX Researcher at Kiewit Technology Group allowed me to apply this user-centric lens to large-scale, complex enterprise systems. Here, I led end-to-end UX research projects  that didn't just improve user experience, but delivered

measurable business value:

• Commodity Management App: My research directly informed a design that led to a 70% reduction in manual data entry and $4.9 million in annual cost savings.

  
  

• Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Digitalization: Research insights contributed to $300,000 in annual savings by streamlining a highly regulated safety compliance process.

  
  

• Equipment Rental Scheduler: User experience improvements, driven by research, resulted in a 25% increase in company-owned equipment utilization.

  
  

These projects, while not in EdTech, demonstrate my expertise in mixed-methods research, synthesizing complex data into actionable insights , advocating for users, and driving quantifiable impact – skills directly transferable and highly valuable to the EdTech landscape.

Why EdTech? It's My Core Mission.

My unique blend of nearly two decades in K-12 education and 3+ years in enterprise UX research  positions me uniquely to tackle the challenges and opportunities within EdTech. I bring:

• Deep Understanding of Learners & Educators: Beyond theoretical knowledge, I have lived experience assessing literacy needs, learning preferences, and cognitive development.

  
  

• Research Rigor: Proven expertise in end-to-end research, from user interviews and process mapping to usability testing.

  
  

• Impact-Driven Approach: A track record of translating insights into tangible improvements that save time, money, and enhance user satisfaction.

  
  

• Advocacy for Inclusive Experiences: A passion for ensuring technology is accessible and genuinely effective for diverse users.

  
  

My recent brand refresh, including a new resume and portfolio, is designed to clearly articulate this unique value proposition. I am thrilled to embark on the next chapter, dedicated to creating EdTech solutions that are not just engaging but truly transformative for students, teachers, and learning environments worldwide.