I am a learning scientist, educator, and instructional designer with over 15 years of experience in California public education. I hold a Master of Science in Instructional Science and Technology, and I currently serve as an Instructional Designer at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I support faculty across disciplines in Program, course, and curriculum development.
I founded byInstructorKnapp to bridge academic research and real-world tools that support trauma-informed teaching practices grounded in the neurobiology of learning. My Heart Data™ program is a science-based behavioral training system designed for schools and clinicians. It helps students understand their stress response system while reinforcing essential 6th-grade math standards like data collection, graphing, and analysis.
In addition to Heart Data, I have developed a suite of companion tools, including the Inner Lizzy™ video series, the Safe Schools: Trauma-Informed Training Guide, and the Get to Know Your Heart classroom workbook. These tools integrate seamlessly into wellness initiatives and behavioral education programs. I am also the inventor of the Heart Light™, a U.S. patented, heart-rate-synced mindfulness display that supports self-awareness and self-regulation across home, school, and therapeutic settings.
My work is built on the principle that deep learning begins with a regulated nervous system. Whether I am designing curriculum, interactive tools, or staff training, my focus is on improving learning outcomes for all students—especially neurodiverse learners and students with a history of trauma—through effective, engaging, and biologically grounded approaches.
My work has been recognized with multiple academic honors, including awards from the California State University Chancellor’s Office, the San Jose State Provost’s Office, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Library for innovation in educational tools and curriculum design.
by Instructor Knapp 