Rachel became a plain language advocate during the recovery from the man made disaster following Hurricane Katrina. She reviews and edits communication materials, trains staff on how to write using plain language concepts, and conducts plain language field tests with potential audiences.
She is from New Orleans, and recently moved to Bend, Oregon with her husband and two children. She stays energized through involvement in her children’s school, her community, her carnival krewe, and spending time outdoors (especially around black bears).
Education & Training
FORMAL
- Bachelor of Arts: Journalism
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge - Masters of Adult Education
St. Francis-Xavier University, Nova Scotia | Canada
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Global Learning Partners
Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach, Foundations of Dialogue Education - Technology of Participation and Strategic Planning
Institute of Cultural Affairs - Undoing Racism
People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond - Industrial Areas Foundation
10 day community organizing training - Overcoming Racism
Race and Equity
What Clients Say
Rachel’s Work
Deepening Learning through a Blended Approach
Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) started a journey to become a learning-centered organization almost ten (10) years ago. They partnered with Global Learning Partners (GLP) and it has been a rich and transformational partnership since then.
California Transforms Their Welfare-to-Work Programs
The California Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) – one of the most influential welfare-to-work programs in the nation – began a research-based initiative to shift from a more compliance-oriented approach to a more family-focused, goal-oriented approach.Â
Helping College Students Advocate for Themselves
Project HELP (Health Education Laddering Program) was a multi-site program available at several community colleges throughout central Nebraska through funding from the national Health Profession Opportunity Grants program.
rachel’s Resources
Episode 107: The Legacy of Paulo Freire
Paulo Freire framed education as a pathway to liberation in his seminal work “Pedagogy of the Oppressed." His work has influenced generations of educators, including GLP Founder, Dr. Jane Vella. In this episode we talk with Robb Davis of California...
Using Open Questions to Deepen My Learning about Bears
I had the privilege of participating in a life-changing wildlife educational experience about black bears. When I got home after the first year, I felt I hadn't made the most of this incredible opportunity. A guided learning journal I created for year two helped me...
Receiving and Offering Feedback: An Organizational Culture Worth BuildingÂ
Download as PDF Download Feedback Process + Tool Cultivating a culture of healthy feedback – receiving and offering it – takes time and intentional work in multiple areas. It can begin during onboarding and run through to the exit interview. Leaders can model healthy...