About
Hi, I’m Riya.
I’m an instructional designer shaped by classrooms, technology, and different cultures.
I began my career teaching in a rural school through Teach For China. That experience changed how I understand learning. I realized that when students are not well-behaved, it is often their way of asking for help. Academic achievement alone is not enough. Emotional support, structure, and clarity matter just as much. That is why, in my later design work, I intentionally integrate empathy and encouragement into knowledge delivery.
Working in an under-resourced environment also opened my eyes to educational inequality. Access to high-quality materials should not depend on geography.
That realization motivated me to move into EdTech, where well-designed digital content can scale and reach learners who might otherwise be underserved.
I later studied Education Policy and Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
There, I experienced a learning environment that encouraged exploration, expression, and psychological safety. I felt supported not only intellectually but personally. That experience deepened my belief that strong learning design combines scientific rigor with humanity.
After that, I worked at BrainCo and MassDOT, where I had the opportunity to design hands-on STEM learning projects and employee training programs. These roles allowed me to apply the instructional experience I gained in China to new contexts in the United States.
I feel fortunate to work in teams that value not only what I produce, but who I am. That sense of trust and respect is something I try to pass on to the learners I design for.
I design learning, and I am still learning.
We live in a time of rapid change. AI is expanding what is possible in education, while accessibility and inclusive design standards ensure learning works for people with diverse needs. Growing up in China and now working in the United States has shaped my perspective. Designing across cultures has taught me to listen carefully, question assumptions, and build with diversity in mind.
For me, learning is not just about performance metrics. It is a journey of exploration — and I hope to make that journey meaningful and joyful for others!