Raina Tang

2018

In 2018, I packed my bags for Los Angeles and stepped onto the campus of USC, ready to dive into my master’s in Education with a focus on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I wasn’t just studying theory — I was living it. As Vice President of the TESOL Club, I was constantly in motion, organizing social gatherings, academic events, and community activities that connected students from around the world. It was here that my passion for education truly took root, driven by the joy of watching people grow and connect through language.

Fresh out of USC, I joined Manhattan College for their summer program, where my role was part teacher, part designer, and part community builder. I designed lessons, tracked student progress, and ran activities like the ESL Café — a space where students could relax, chat, and practice their English in real-life situations. I began to see the power of curriculum not just to teach, but to shape experiences that stuck with learners long after class ended.

When the world shifted in 2020, my classroom became global. I began designing and delivering custom Mandarin lessons for students across continents — from beginners just learning their first phrases to advanced learners working in companies like Apple and Griffith. Many of my students had ties to China through international business, so each lesson was crafted to bridge language and cultural understanding. I loved meeting so many talented professionals, each with their own goals, and adapting my teaching to help them succeed.
At the same time, I served as Bilingual Education Coordinator at WE Education Group, designing and delivering bilingual training programs for students, parents, and staff. I developed targeted learning objectives, built engaging materials, and even tracked learner progress with custom tools I created. I also stepped into a creative marketing role, running our social media content on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to share success stories and program updates.

By 2021, I realized I wanted to merge my love of learning with the creative challenge of design. That’s when I discovered the field of Educational Technology and jumped in headfirst. I immersed myself in instructional design models like ADDIE, SAM, and Action Mapping, learning not just how to build training, but how to design experiences that actually change behavior. It was the perfect bridge between my teaching background and my growing design ambitions.
While studying at Cal State University, Los Angeles, I volunteered with several start-up EdTech companies. My role was a mix of creative design and instructional strategy — developing engaging marketing materials and K–12 educational content using instructional design principles. I especially honed my skills in Articulate Storyline, building a solid foundation with one of the most essential tools in the instructional design world. This hands-on experience taught me how to blend technology with pedagogy to create meaningful learning materials.

In 2022, I brought my skills into the corporate world, joining Royal Business Bank as a Corporate Trainer and Instructional Designer. Now, my classroom is the entire organization — from front-line staff to senior leaders. I collaborate with managers to uncover performance gaps and design targeted training solutions, blending scenario-based learning, multimedia content, and interactive simulations. I’ve even integrated AI-powered tools like intelligent chat simulations and adaptive feedback to make training more personal and engaging. Every project is a new puzzle, and I love finding creative ways to connect learning with real business outcomes.