Digital Learning Team
Meredith Toth
Assistant Dean
Meredith leads Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College's digital learning team in enhancing learning experiences through the thoughtful application of learning theory, system design and technology in digital learning environments. The Office of Digital Learning focuses on areas where digital learning can create an immersive experience and provide access to academic, research-oriented knowledge and faculty: academic programs, digital products, grants and special projects. Meredith holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University, a Master's degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford University, and an undergraduate degree in French and comparative literature from U.C. Davis.
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Shaun Beaty
Director
Shaun is a lifelong educator passionate about excellence in online learning, mobile learning, and innovation in teaching and learning. During his career, Shaun has worked in a variety of education settings, including K-12, for-profit colleges, and non-profit universities. In these settings, Shaun has designed and developed online, blended, and face-to-face courses; implemented new educational technologies; created and deployed learning objects; managed and directed course design and development teams; provided instructional and technological support to faculty, subject matter experts, and staff; as well as maintained in-house and proprietary learning management systems. In addition to his experience as an education administrator, he has taught a variety of online courses and considers himself one of the early innovators in online instruction. He taught his first online course in 2000 and still teaches today. Shaun holds a PhD in E-Learning from Northcentral University, a MEd in Educational Technology from Lesley University, and a BA in Social Science/Education from Colorado State University. While not at work, Shaun enjoys playing golf, boxing/kickboxing, mountain biking, and spending quality time with his family.
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Karen Bossen
Instructional Designer, Senior, Learning Design
Karen is an Instructional Designer, Senior, in Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, where she designs online courses using established pedagogy and emerging technologies to meet student learning outcomes. Karen has been a college educator for over 24 years and has served as a faculty developer since 2006. She has taught in the college classroom at Arizona State University since 1987, both in on-ground and online instruction. In her current role, Karen collaborates with faculty in the design and delivery of online courses and designs training for online instructors and co-instructors. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Washington State University and a MEd from Northern Arizona University.
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Derek Thurber
Principal Teaching + Learning Specialist
As a Principal Teaching + Learning Specialist at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU, Derek focuses on empowering faculty to improve the quality of their curriculum, teaching, and support of students' learning through individualized educational and organizational development services. Derek has been working across multiple higher education institutions since 2012 as a researcher, teacher, and designer focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning for all students. Derek's original research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and he has presented his research and work on learning design at numerous national conferences, including AERA, Distance Teaching & Learning, EDUCAUSE, POD Network, and OLC Innovate. Derek's expertise in educational development and learning design is grounded in his commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments that support the success of all students. He is passionate about collaborating with faculty to develop innovative and effective teaching strategies that promote active learning and student engagement.
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Alexandra Miller
Instructional Designer, Senior, Learning Design
Prior to joining Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College as an Instructional Designer, Alexandra worked in the Office of English Language Acquisition Services at the Arizona Department of Education as an Education Technology Specialist. In that role, she created and delivered professional development to Arizona K-12 teachers and designed online courses for certification. Alexandra earned an MEd in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University, an MA in Anthropology from Arizona State University, and a BA in Anthropology and Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. In her career in Anthropology, Alexandra taught numerous courses in the Maricopa County Community College District.
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Adrienne Wooten
Instructional Designer, Senior, Manager
Adrienne Wooten is an Instructional Designer, Sr. - Manager for the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. She leads a team of Instructional Design Professionals in the development and design of online programs. In addition, she is an online instructor for Arizona State University, teaching in the Learning Design and Technologies program. Before joining the team at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Adrienne spent nearly a decade in K-12 education. During this time, she taught and designed several high school math classes online with the district program, eSchool, in both Blackboard and Canvas. Adrienne also served as adjunct faculty in an online program designed to assist educators in gaining the K-8 Mathematics Endorsement in Arizona. You will often find her running the mountain trails of AZ, playing the air guitar, and singing off-key with her AirPods in.
Contact Adrienne at:
Jennifer Werner
Instructional Designer, Senior, Learning Technologies
Jennifer joined the Digital Learning team as an Instructional Designer in 2020. As an educator for over 15 years, Jennifer has taught from Pre-K through Adult Education. She has worked in the commercial sector designing professional development, managing LMS, and directing educational centers. With an interest in technology and innovations in learning she has sat on the Greater Arizona eLearning Association board, and presented with the Arizona Technology in Education Association. Jennifer holds a MEd in Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University, and a BS in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. In her spare time, she enjoys building computers, tinkering, video games and spending time with friends and family.
Contact Jennifer at:
Kianah Brooks
Learning Technologies Specialist
Kianah joined the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College in 2021. She holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Human Environmental Sciences from The University of Alabama. Kianah is a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) and Teach for America (TFA) AmeriCorps Alumni. She completed a year of service as a Volunteer Coordinator with United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Before transitioning into online learning in higher education, she spent 2 years as a middle school social studies teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, writing, and dancing.
Contact Kianah at:
Instructional Design Team One
Kyle Wagner
Instructional Designer
Born in Torrance, CA, raised partly in Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona. From a family of engineers working in aerospace and technology, growing up amongst space shuttle and satellite launches, Kyle appreciates the impact of an effective education and is passionate about exploring the new frontiers of learning experience design to empower individuals, families, and communities. Kyle has worked in the commercial sector developing and deploying training and technology resources incorporating gamification and career development pathways. On his own time Kyle enjoys gardening, mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, and sculpting in glass and steel. Naturally curious and a voracious researcher interested in subjects including design, biology, technology, architecture, and ancient history to name a few. Kyle holds an MS in Innovation and Venture Development from Arizona State University, a BS in Technical Project Management, UX Design certification and Culinary Arts.
Contact Kyle at:
Madeline Gombis
Instructional Designer
Madeline joined the Digital Learning team as an Instructional Designer Associate in 2021. Prior to joining MLFTC, she spent two years teaching Composition and Critical Inquiry to first- and second-year undergraduate students. She also has several years of experience in ESL tutoring, mentoring for writing- and research-intensive undergraduate courses, and running writing workshops for college professors. She holds an MA in Writing from Northern Michigan University and earned her BA in English from North Park University. She spends her spare time chatting with her cat, sewing and quilting, reading books that make her cry, and stopping on hikes to look at weird plants.
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Kileigh Erickson
Instructional Designer
Kileigh Erickson is an Instructional Designer with the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Taylor University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree through ASU. Before coming to ASU, Kileigh worked as a 6th grade English and Social Studies teacher and technology coach for staff. She enjoys analyzing programs and creating systems to make digital learning both authentic and effective. When not at work, you can often find her traveling, hitting the golf course, in the kitchen, or cheering on her Green Bay Packers!
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Nick DiPaolo
Instructional Designer Associate
Nicholas started as an Instructional Designer Associate with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College’s Office of Digital Learning in 2023. Prior to that, he taught 7th and 8th-grade science to students in the Chandler Unified School District for four years. He also has experience as a camp counselor at Lowell Observatory. Nicholas is passionate about educational technologies, space science, automotive maintenance and repair, and driving north during the winter to snowboard.
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Joanna Simone
Instructional Designer Associate
Joanna Simone is an instructional designer associate at Mary Lou Fulton's Office of Digital Learning. She recently graduated from MLFTC with a Masters in Learning Design and Technology. Previously, she worked in the K-12 sector as a special education teacher for eight years. She also holds a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo in Childhood and Special Education with a minor in Urban Studies. She is a passionate lifelong learner and loves to help create a better learning experience for all! Her motto is “What can I do to support you today?”
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Robert Stoll
Instructional Designer Associate
Robert is an Instructional Designer Associate with Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College’s Office of Digital Learning, starting in 2023. Before joining ASU, he helped special interest educational groups at the University of Arizona, including the digital deployment of their curriculum. Following that, he moved to public programming as a Library Assistant at the Phoenix Public Library. Outside of work, he can usually be found dabbling in creative hobbies that often also involve a computer.
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Weiwei (Vivi) Ma
Instructional Designer Associate
Weiwei Ma is an Instructional Designer Associate with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English and a Master's degree in Learning Sciences and Technologies from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining MLFTC, she worked as an online teacher, and product manager in EdTech companies. With her own time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, baking, and movies.
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Jamie Zelechowski
Instructional Designer Associate
Before Jamie joined the Digital Learning Team as an Instructional Designer Associate in the summer of 2023, she taught German language & culture at the University of California-Los Angeles, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Temple University. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Germanic Languages at UCLA. Her research interests include(d) German and Polish cinema as well as migration and border studies. Research aside, she’s a fan of the cinema of the 1960s and has a weakness for detective series. Otherwise, she enjoys hanging out in Germany and Poland, hiking, and making a mess of the kitchen.
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Instructional Design Team Two
Gulnora Isaeva
Instructional Designer
Gulnora joined the Digital Learning team as an Instructional Designer in 2021. She is a passionate educator and a life-long learner with over 15 years of experience teaching in K-12 and higher education settings. She has worked as an ESL teacher and a teacher trainer in the Omaha Public Schools and taught graduate-level courses in ESL Methods, Assessment, and Linguistics at Concordia and Midland Universities in Nebraska. She is originally from Uzbekistan and holds her BA in Linguistics/English as a Foreign Language from Fergana State University and earned her MS in Improvement of Instruction and Reading Specialist endorsement from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Gulnora enjoys spending her time with her family, hiking, reading, and cooking.
Contact Gulnora at:
Brooke D'Adamo
Instructional Designer
Prior to joining the Digital Learning Team for the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Brooke spent over three years as a Professional Development Facilitator at Arizona Science Center writing and delivering in-person, hybrid and virtual professional development programs and collaborating with teachers on science content, best teaching practices and inquiry-based, hands-on learning cycles. Before professional development, she taught 7th and 8th grade science as well as speech and debate in the Madison Elementary School District for four years. As a previous Sun Devil, Brooke holds a BA in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. She spends her free time enjoying Zumba classes, reading thrillers, listening to podcasts, and being with her family, friends, and adored dogs.
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Anthony Geisler
Instructional Designer
Anthony Geisler is an Instructional Designer for the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. In 2018 Anthony graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in History and Secondary Education. Prior to joining the team at the Office of Digital Learning, Anthony taught eighth-grade civics and history at a west valley school district for three years. As team lead and history teacher mentor, other responsibilities included curriculum development for sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade history and professional development coordination. Outside of teaching Anthony enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, and consuming anything related to fantasy shows and novels.
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Courtney Ellsworth
Instructional Designer Associate
Courtney joined the Digital Learning Team at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College in 2023. She earned a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design & Performance Improvement through Arizona State University while working as an advisor for engineering students. Before transitioning to ASU, Courtney worked as a graduate instructor for the School of Music at Brigham Young University, where she earned a MM in Instrumental Conducting. Courtney is a professionally-trained violinist and collaborative pianist and enjoys working with musicians across the Phoenix valley. Outside of music, Courtney enjoys spending time listening to podcasts, kayaking, and exploring National Parks with her family.
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Shirley Zhang
Instructional Designer Associate
Shirley Zhang is an Instructional Designer Associate with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies from Arizona State University and a Master's degree in Learning Sciences and Technologies from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining MLFTC, she was a math teacher and worked in the adult education and professional program at UPenn. She has experience with instructional design, curriculum development, and teaching. When she is not at work, she likes playing with her dogs, snowboarding, and cooking.
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Jayme Beall
Instructional Designer Associate
Jayme joined the Digital Learning Team in the summer of 2023 as an Instructional Designer Associate. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (STEM) and a Master’s Degree in Learning Design & Technologies from ASU. Prior to joining the team, Jayme taught 2nd grade at ASU Prep for 4 years. When not learning a new technology skill, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her cat, Daisy.
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Ryan Compton
Instructional Designer Associate
Ryan Compton is an Instructional Designer Associate with Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. Prior to joining the team at the Office of Digital Learning, Ryan worked in the education technology industry and is experienced in instructional design, curriculum development, and tutoring. Outside of work, you can often find him at a concert, eating at a local restaurant, or rooting for the Phoenix Suns!
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Rachael Smith
Instructional Designer Associate
Rachael Smith has a strong history in public service with the State of Arizona, higher education, and instructional design and about 11 years of experience with Maricopa County Community Colleges as a criminal justice educator and instructional designer. Additionally, during the pandemic, Rachael created training materials for five different state agencies working under the Department of Economic Security and the State of Arizona. Prior to that, she worked as a full-time instructor at Arizona State University's College of Public Programs, where she created an online curriculum and taught criminal justice courses. Her professional experience also includes multiple LMSs, including Canvas, TraCorp, and Blackboard, and instructional design tools like Adobe, Office 365, and Google Workspace.
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