Kristlyn Thomas

Kristlyn Thomas brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her role as an instructor at SCPS, drawing from her work as an Associate Director in the Office of Online Learning at Loyola University Chicago. In her primary role, Kristlyn oversees instructional design services, managing a team that supports faculty in creating engaging and effective online courses. Her involvement in instructional design led her to help develop SCPS’s curriculum and, ultimately, to teach the course “Performance Improvement in Organizations,” where she provides students with a strong foundation in improving organizational efficiency through instructional design. 

Kristlyn is particularly proud of her role as the current chair of the E-Design Collaborative within the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), where she connects with instructional design professionals and faculty across the nation. This role allows her to exchange insights and strategies with others in the field, which she brings into her work at SCPS, fostering a learning environment that is as innovative as it is practical. 

In the classroom, Kristlyn appreciates the diverse backgrounds of her students, especially adult learners who bring unique professional perspectives to their studies. Her favorite part of teaching is the rich discussions that emerge from these perspectives, with students from fields as varied as healthcare and media production sharing their insights on instructional design. For Kristlyn, these discussions highlight the value of hands-on, collaborative learning, as students work on projects that grow over the term, culminating in real-world applications of the concepts they’ve explored. 

“Everyone's coming from such unique perspective. I had two students who were working in healthcare, and hearing their perspective of how instructional design is done within the healthcare system was fascinating. It's exciting to see students' progress as they work on a project built throughout the entire term that comes to life by the end.” 

Kristlyn advises anyone considering returning to school to embrace the supportive environment at SCPS and not to let technology concerns be a barrier.  

“Do not be afraid of things like the technology because every instructor at SCPS is wildly supportive. We'll make sure that you get what you need to be successful within the program.”