About | Experience

Work Experience

Allen Independent School District, Allen, Texas (4 years; this large district is consistently one of the top-rated academic school districts in Texas)

Teacher–Freshman English (Pre-AP/advanced and regular levels), Writing Strategies

• Developed and taught new Writing Strategies course for students at high risk of failing the Freshman English STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) state-required exam. Result—this became the first year that many passed a state-required writing exam; all went from struggling to write even a few sentences to easily writing well-flowing essays by year end. Developed diagnostic pretests and post-tests to analyze weaknesses and monitor progress; used a learning management system plus MS Excel to analyze performance trends; adapted instruction based on data analysis and feedback.

• Led my Freshman English students to consistently high passing rates on their Freshman English STAAR EOC exam, including a 100% passing rate in 2015 (compared to state’s 81% and Allen ISD’s 90%).

• Technology–Created custom lessons weekly for online apps such as Poll Everywhere and Kahoot to use student phones as input devices, enabling real-time student collaboration and immediate feedback on electronic whiteboard. Developed method to use iPhone conferencing app to implement and document Individual Education Plans for special ed/disability students, making this time-intensive, demanding task far easier. Maintained robust website updated daily.

(Taught while my son was in high school; left when he graduated to return to full-time corporate, business, and freelance work.)

Hewlett-Packard (HP) Enterprise Services (formerly EDS), Plano, Texas

Instructional Designer, Web Content Developer/Writer, Training Coordinator (9-month partial-remote contract via Innovative Way)

Researched/wrote and edited content and online training (using Adobe Captivate) for HP’s Enterprise Services Worldwide Marketing group. Also coordinated records management training for marketing staff.

Electronic Data Systems (EDS)/Hewlett-Packard (HP), Plano, Texas

Instructional Designer, Technical Writer (1.5-year remote contract via eClaro)

Quickly learned details of corporate travel and financial systems to design and develop 30+ web-based courses, tutorials, and demos for EDS and HP employees and clients (using Adobe Captivate and iTutor). Also developed intranet online documentation.

City of Allen, Allen, Texas (full-time employee)

Education Specialist–Community Services Department

Developed training and communications (online, presentation, hard copy) for city programs including recycling, trash, household hazardous waste, city cleanups, and Keep America Beautiful. Photographed events for communication and training purposes. Wrote articles published in area newspapers. Gave presentations to city and public audiences.

Electronic Data Systems (EDS), Plano, TX (3+ years; two 1.5-year fully remote contracts via ZeroChaos)  

Instructional Designer, Technical and Business Writer/Editor

Starting with a half-page outline, worked with subject-matter experts (SMEs) and users to create training and documentation for software developers using EDS-proprietary Rebar tool to design web applications. Created seven major user guides; developed project standards for documentation. Created training and documentation for User Experience and SharePoint teams. Wrote/edited content for EDS Web Standards site for employees involved in web design. Created web training for virtual classrooms using iLinc.

GTCI (Gordon Technical Consulting Inc.), Richardson, Texas (two 4-month contracts; one fully remote)

Web Designer, Technical Writer/Editor

In only three months, created content for GTCI website, transforming it from a few pages to a marketing site showcasing the company’s training expertise in telecommunications (CEO was Ernst-Young [EY] 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year finalist). Updated technical documentation/training for GTCI client Nortel.

Freelance Website Design/Development (McIntosh Writing), Dallas/Fort Worth area (7 years)

Web Designer, Content Writer

Designed, created, and wrote content for small to medium sites including an international film company with a mainstream theater US film release. Developed written proposals for site redesign and improvements. Reprogrammed and edited for accuracy, clarity, and usability.

Electronic Data Systems (EDS), Plano, Texas (10 years, full-time employee)

Senior Training Specialist, Project Leader/Manager, Instructional Designer/Developer, Technical Writer/Editor

• Overall–Used various ISD methodologies (ADDIE and Agile types) to determine training and communication needs and design, develop, test, implement, and evaluate courses/curricula. Included classroom, e-learning, blended learning, distance learning, quick reference, and job aid/help media. Helped design and cost the original Interactive Distance Learning Network (IDLN) used by EDS to broadcast courses to employees and clients as well as special events. Led project team implementing the first Authorware computer-based training medium in the corporation. Wrote/edited extensively.

• Plano ISD project–In less than three months, with no other staff available, worked with Plano ISD to design, develop, and implement a 7-hour, instructor-led computer lab course to train Plano ISD staff to use its new network EDS was designing. Created 150-page instructor/student manuals with graphics and practice files. Taught course pilot to Plano training staff (train-the-trainer).

• Corporate Security–Led process analysis/improvement projects for all divisions: Data Security, Physical Security, Business Continuity, Investigations. Facilitated I-4 Global Information Security Conference hosted by EDS and attended by mid- and upper-level managers from 65+ corporations around the world: “Lauri left these IT professionals from other large companies with a very positive impression of EDS.” –Ben Asbury, Division Manager. Developed call center curriculum. Developed and facilitated role play disaster-training workshop with mid- and upper-level EDS management. Created/implemented Predictive Workforce Development process to anticipate staff training and hiring needs.