HQIM Academy

Jillian is an international educator turned edtech and curriculum development expert. Jillian's teaching experiences sparked her passion for developing curriculum that supports multilingual learners and embraces a culturally responsive approach tailored to students' unique interests and identities. Throughout her career in edtech and curriculum development, Jillian has been an advocate for creating equitable, high-quality digital learning experiences accessible to students and teachers around the world. Jillian has developed instructional resources for internationally acclaimed organizations, including: Johns Hopkins CTY, CPM Education Foundation, PBLWorks, PowerMyLearning, and more. In addition to her successful career, Jillian loves to give back through coaching curriculum developers and transitioning teachers to create impactful learning experiences.

Mel's passion for curriculum and lesson design isn't just about crafting effective educational materials; it's the core of how she fosters meaningful relationships, increase student engagement, and ultimately inspire a love of learning. Mel believes that thoughtfully designed curricula and engaging lessons create an environment where students feel seen, heard, and motivated, leading to deeper connections and more impactful educational experiences. Her goal is always to build learning journeys that are not only academically enriching but also personally transformative for every student. Mel has developed content and curriculum for world class edtech platforms and curriculum publishers, including: Kiddom, IXL, PBLWorks, Stile Education, and more.

Shawna is an experienced secondary educator, instructional coach, and educational researcher specializing in instructional design and edtech. Her passion for empowering learners began early, honed through impactful years in Title I schools. There, fostering inclusive learning environments for diverse students—embracing multilingual learners and trauma-informed practices—became her core philosophy. Witnessing students thrive and break barriers through strong relationships and equitable instruction solidified her profound conviction: every student must access transformative opportunities. This conviction now drives her work developing professional learning and comprehensive curriculum, equipping educators globally to unlock student potential. With 15+ years in education, Shawna's achievements include publishing in TechTrends and Journal of Applied Instructional Design; leading curricular efficacy projects (e.g., Johns Hopkins white papers); and developing resources for PBLWorks, Stile Education, Satchel Pulse, and American Reading Company. Beyond her HQIM Academy team support, Shawna teaches English Language Arts at North Clackamas Schools, maintaining direct classroom impact.