From Classroom Frustrations to User-Centered Solutions
I'm a UX Research Specialist who bridges two worlds: the classroom and the research lab.
My journey into UX research didn't start in a conference room—it started in front of ninth-graders struggling with poorly designed educational software.
The Moment That Changed Everything
I'll never forget watching my students get stuck in the Read180 program with no guidance on how to move forward—and realizing I wasn't getting any notifications that they needed help. Or the time I counted seven clicks just to help a student reach a single page in their digital textbook. That's when it hit me: if we're building technology for learning, why are we making it so hard to learn with?
These weren't isolated incidents. They were symptoms of a larger problem in EdTech: products built without truly understanding the people who use them. I knew something had to change, and I wanted to be on the inside, solving these problems through research.
So I made the leap.
My Journey: Teacher to Researcher
Teaching Years (2012-2021) I spent nearly a decade in education, teaching 6th-12th grade students at Ombudsman Educational Services and developing readers at Benson High School in Omaha. Before that, I substitute taught across all grade levels and abilities for years—an experience that taught me to adapt quickly and meet learners where they are.
The Transition (2020-2021) In March 2020, right as COVID hit, I enrolled in Flatiron School's UX Design bootcamp. By October 2021, I transitioned out of the classroom to become a UX Researcher at LovelySkin, marking the beginning of my professional research career.
Professional Research (2021-2024) I spent the next three years conducting user research across diverse industries—from e-commerce at LovelySkin to construction technology at Kiewit, where I led research that projected millions in annual savings through process optimization. In 2023, I earned my UX Research Specialist certification from Nielsen Norman Group.
Full Circle (2024-Present) After a workforce reduction at Kiewit in November 2024, I returned to substitute teaching, along with tutoring for Dojo Tutor, to pay the bills. But my goal has never wavered: to find my place in EdTech, where I can combine my teaching experience with my research expertise to create learning experiences that truly work for students and educators.
What Makes My Approach Different
I Speak Both Student and Teacher The classroom is a second home to me. I understand the pressures teachers face, the constraints they work within, and the creative workarounds they develop. I've lived the frustrations of poorly designed EdTech as both a teacher trying to support students and as someone watching learners disengage because the tools got in their way.
Students Are Users Too My teaching background taught me that students learn best when given autonomy over their learning. I carry this belief into my research: children and students deserve a voice in the educational products created for them. Too often, EdTech is built for students without ever asking them what they actually need.
Research as Collaboration My students always taught me as much as I taught them. I approach research the same way—believing the best insights come from listening deeply, observing carefully, and creating space for users to show me what I might have missed. My research superpower? Contextual interviews where I dig into users' real workflows, pain points, and those brilliant workarounds that signal unmet needs.
But my favorite research moments? Watching a prototype test where someone's eyes light up and they say, "Yes! I can see how something like this can help me!" That's the goal—creating solutions users can actually see themselves using.
My Education & Credentials
Bachelor's Degree: Behavioral Science
Master's Degree: Reading Education & ESL
Nielsen Norman Group: UX Research Specialist Certification (2023)
This unique combination—understanding human behavior, literacy development, and rigorous research methodology—shapes how I approach every project. I see patterns others might miss and ask questions grounded in how people actually learn and work.
Beyond the Research
When I’m not interviewing users or analyzing data, you’ll find me:
📷 Capturing moments through photography
📚 Lost in a good book (always have one in progress)
🇫🇷 Maintaining my Duolingo streak in French (approaching two years—the owl is a relentless taskmaster with my 60-level score!)
🎵 Listening to eclectic music ranging from classic rock to Chopin
✈️ Dreaming of Paris, where I left my heart and hope to live someday, even if just for a while
I also give back through tutoring with Dojo Tutor and volunteering in children's ministry at my church, including our annual Night to Shine event.
Where I’m Headed
My goal is to become a UX Research Lead or Principal UX Researcher in EdTech, where I can not only conduct impactful research but also mentor the next generation of researchers. I thrive in collaborative environments where teams share ideas openly, catch what others might miss, and value diverse perspectives. I believe the best research happens when everyone's voice is heard.
I'm currently juggling two exciting research initiatives:
Independent Research: Conducting a study on teacher dashboard needs in K-12 EdTech—exploring the gap between the data educators receive and the data they actually need to make instructional decisions. This builds on my enterprise dashboard research experience while bringing me back to my EdTech roots.
ChronoQuest: As co-founder of this pre-seed EdTech startup, I'm leading ongoing user research to validate and refine our award-winning history education platform. We're preparing for the EdStart Shark Tank while conducting research with students and teachers to ensure our product truly serves the needs of 6th-12th grade learners and educators.
What I'm Exploring Now
Why EdTech?
Because children are users too.
We build these products to make learning "easier," but too often I see frustrated students who don't understand what to do or feel defeated when programs behave unexpectedly. EdTech should empower learners and support educators—not add cognitive load or create barriers.
I've been on both sides: the teacher trying to use poorly designed tools and the researcher who knows how to make them better. Now I'm ready to bring both perspectives together to create educational experiences that actually work for the people using them.
Let’s Connect
I'm currently seeking UX Research opportunities in EdTech where I can apply my unique blend of classroom experience and research expertise to create meaningful learning experiences.
Office hours are open—let's connect about research opportunities!
📍 Based in Plattsmouth, Nebraska (just outside Omaha, about an hour from Lincoln)
🔗 LinkedIn: MeloyCreative • Email • Portfolio
