Riya Su

Education

Harvard Graduate School of Education                                                                                        Cambridge, MA

•      Master of Education, Education Policy and Analysis, GPA:3.94/4.0                                      June. 2023-May 2024

•      Instructional Design Related Coursework: Teaching and Learning Lab Practicum(A); Designing Intercultural Learning Experiences; Transforming Education Through Emerging Technologies(A);

•      Education Policy Analysis Related Coursework: Intermediate and Advanced Statistical Methods for Applied Education Research(A); Establishing Loving Spaces for Learning(A); Education Policy Analysis(Satisfied)

Tsinghua University                                                                                                                         Beijing, China

•      Bachelor of Economics in Economics and Finance, GPA: 3.7/4.0                                           Aug. 2012-July 2016

•      Advanced Coursework: Introductory Psychology (92), Health Psychology (90), Calculus (90), Principles of Economics (87), Econometrics (88), Introductory Probability and Mathematical Statistics (89), The Basics of Volunteer Management (Distinction), Academic Training for Enterprise Practice (Distinction)

Work Experience

Massachusetts Department of Transportation                                                                                    Boston, MA

Instructional Design Co-op                                                                                                     January 2025-Present

• Aimed to deliver engaging and practical learning for state employees in both compliance (e.g., Form 30) and leadership topics (e.g., Delegation Skills); applied SAM and ADDIE models to design performance-driven, scenario-based content; resulted in improved clarity, engagement, and alignment with organizational learning goals.

• Sought to ensure relevance and quality through stakeholder collaboration; conducted needs analysis, facilitated interviews, and incorporated feedback from 20+ managers, SMEs, and trainers; used Excel to track revisions and maintained alignment across teams, leading to smoother rollouts and fewer post-launch edits.

• Focused on building effective, accessible learning materials; created e-learning in Articulate Storyline 360 and developed facilitator guides, handouts, and slide decks using PowerPoint and Canva; enabled consistent delivery and supported both self-paced and instructor-led formats.

• Promoted inclusive learning experiences; developed a custom WCAG 2.1 / Section 508 checklist, categorized by design modality and compliance level; embedded accessibility features such as alt text, color contrast, and keyboard navigation, resulting in more equitable content access across diverse learners.

BrainCo Tech                                                                                                                                    Boston, MA

Curriculum Development Specialist                                                                                             May 2024-Present

• Designed and prototyped 10+ student-centered STEM projects integrating BrainCo’s machine hand and BCI brainband with Micro:bit, Arduino, and sensor systems. Projects emphasized brain-controlled robotics, block-based programming, and real-world applications, grounded in project-based learning to foster critical thinking, creativity, and technical skill development.

• Redesigned the full second edition of the machine hand and brainband curricula, aligning 30+ lessons across 6 modules with learning objectives, academic standards, and performance-based outcomes. Delivered content through slides, teacher lesson plans, background guides, and assessment menus, incorporating interactive elements, formative assessments, and flexible formats for both classroom and after-school use.

• Conducted in-depth cross-state CTE research (e.g., Florida, Ohio, California) to align curriculum with STEM career pathways and instructional standards in Information Technology, Health Science, and Engineering; integrated CTE-aligned competencies directly into lesson design to increase relevance and adoption in formal education settings.

Yuanfudao Online Education                                                                                                          Beijing, China

Instructional Designer & Chinese Literature Teacher                                                   February 2020- February 2022

• Designed and delivered over 300 interactive e-learning modules on Chinese literature for 3rd to 6th-grade students, employing multimedia content, formative assessments, and adaptive learning paths to cater to diverse learner profiles, culminating in 100,000+ favorable feedback and a 99% approval rating.

• Designed the pedagogical framework and curriculum development for teacher professional development programs, conducted needs analyses to identify instructional competencies and gaps, and guided the creation of over 10 targeted professional development workshops emphasizing teaching methodologies, classroom management, and the integration of digital tools in online education.

•  Designed teacher training modules, including Four-Step Teaching Method and Appreciation of Excellent Course Design, for over 150 novice teachers and evaluated their teaching performance.

• Contributed to the Social Support Public Welfare Plan for 1500+ Rural Young Teachers by designing training sessions that enhanced the instructional capabilities of rural teachers. These resources focused on differentiated instruction, student engagement strategies, and the utilization of low-tech and no-tech resources to overcome educational barriers in under-resourced settings.

Xue’ersi Online School, TAL Education Group                                                                                Beijing, China

Instructional Designer & Chinese Literature Teacher                                                          July 2018- February 2020

• Designed and delivered immersive Chinese literature courses to over 20,000 elementary school students from 3rd to 6th grades, employing diverse instructional strategies that catered to varied learning styles and promoted deep engagement with literary texts.

• Directed the curriculum development process, integrating instructional design principles to create a comprehensive Chinese literature curriculum, and led a team of 5 members to compile textbooks for 6 semesters and 70+ teaching materials. Oversaw the creation of an innovative poetry manual, blending traditional literary analysis with interactive multimedia elements such as animations and cartoons to enrich students' learning experiences.

• Managed the “AI Scoring for Chinese Essays” project, merging pedagogical insights with artificial intelligence to revolutionize the evaluation of student compositions. Developed clear and objective scoring rubrics for Chinese composition aligned with curriculum goals, and worked closely with technology specialists to refine AI algorithms. This approach not only streamlined the assessment process but also provided students with timely, formative feedback to support their writing development and learning progression.

Teach For China                                                                                                                                      Guangxi, China

Chinese Teacher & ESOL Teacher                                                                                                July 2016-July 2018

• Implemented Chinese curriculum for 1st and 2nd grade students and bilingual English curriculum for 5th and 6th grade students at Jiarang Xuanming Elementary School, Guangxi. Utilized differentiated instruction and scaffolding techniques to cater to diverse learner needs, significantly elevating language proficiency and academic achievement. The students’ average scores led the entire county, outperforming nine schools for two consecutive academic years.

• Developed a school library management system, enhancing literacy and promoting a reading culture. Curated a collection of over 1,000 books to support the curriculum and ignite students' passion for learning. Facilitated a semester-long online intercultural English course with international educators, broadening students' global perspectives. Organized educational study tours to apply learning in real-world contexts.

• Recruited over 30 college student volunteers worldwide from top colleges such as Tsinghua University and Peking University to serve as “Dream Mentors” and “Pen Friends” for elementary students. This program fostered meaningful social-emotional learning and supported students' emotional and intellectual growth.

• Commended by county leaders for excellent teaching achievements and reported by Nanning Evening News, underscoring the impact of innovative teaching practices and dedication to student development. Selected to conduct model lessons at two additional schools as an exceptional educator in Guangxi, showcasing effective teaching methods and student-centered learning approaches that foster engagement and deep understanding.

Research Experience

Teaching and Learning Lab, Harvard Graduate School of Education                                          Cambridge, MA

Researcher | Supervisor: Prof. Bill Wisser, Harvard University                                                      Jan 2024-May 2024

• Participated in developing an AI chatbot program for the "How People Learn" (HPL) course, aimed at enhancing students' learning experience through personalized assistance.

• Engaged in LLMs testing and user experience research to support the HPL course's innovative approach to applying Generative AI tools in education, contributing to a novel approach that enhances instructional delivery and promotes a deeper understanding of course material.

Analysis and Optimization of Organizational Models Adopted by Agricultural Cooperatives in Northeast and North China     Beijing, China

Researcher | Supervisor: Prof. Lingling Liu, Tsinghua University                                                  July 2013-July 2014

• Conducted on-site research visits to over 30 agricultural cooperatives, agricultural enterprises, relevant financial institutions, and government departments in Jilin, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia provinces to collect first-hand data on development process, operation, and policy support.

• Analyzed current development models of agricultural cooperatives, such as joint-stock cooperatives and enterprise-based cooperatives and provided recommendations for policy support.

• Won the third prize in the Tsinghua Students’ Extracurricular Academic and Scientific Works Competition among 381 teams.

Honors & Awards

M1 Level Trainer, Teacher Training Institute, Yuanfudao Online Education (2021)

Top 8 Teachers (Top 15%) in Teaching Competition, Yuanfudao Online Education (2020)

Excellence Award in Guyu Training Project (Top 20%), Teacher Training Institute, Yuanfudao Online Education (2020)

Winner in Teaching Skills Competition (Top 10%), TAL Education Group (2019)

Excellence Award in Lesson Preparation, TAL Education Group (2019)

National Teacher Certificate Examination (High School Chinese) (2019)

Third Prize in Tsinghua Students’ Extracurricular Academic and Scientific Works Competition(2014)

Second Class Scholarship for Freshmen(2012)