Kara Michelle Liu

About Kara Michelle Liu

As a Product Manager specializing in international and US education, product management, and UX design, I leverage my expertise leading projects and prioritizing features that stimulate curiosity, capture learning, and ignite a love of learning for all. I am a life-long learner, exploring innovative possibilities to enhance the learning experience. I advocate for appropriate, evidence-based use of technology in the classroom. This passion for innovation and safe-guarding the learning environment for kids reflects my dedication to promoting the best methodologies, whether technology is involved or not. The best products/features that I have played a role in spawned from ongoing user research and the synthesis of business and user needs. Through user research and usability testing, I lead teams to identify personas, communicate the user stories, and translate user needs into clear documentation to better communicate the vision. I bridge the gap between code and design, ensuring synergy between developers, designers, and the product team. Using open communication and appreciation of individual\'s contributions, I stimulate harmonious collaboration leading to robust ideation, iteration, and cohesion. I create space to work cross-functionally to problem-solve and remove roadblocks to releases of Minimal Viable Products. Providing Training and collaboration with internal staff ensures the Sales Team and Marketing Team are excited to share the product and the Customer Service and Implementation Team is prepared to better support users’ needs and questions. By defining a seamless User Acceptance Testing (UAT) process between the Product Team, developers, and including stakeholders for key checks and balances, I make sure the product is ready for release.In essence, my approach combines a dedication to innovation, a user-centric mindset, and a collaborative ethos to drive the success of every product I manage.

Experience

1. Product Manager

   Nearpod

   Feb 2024 — Present

Education

• General Assembly

  UX Design Immersive Program

  2020 — 2020

• Ohio University

  Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

  2001 — 2005

• Endicott College

  M.Ed. in International Education with Concentration in Technology Integration

  2014 — 2015

• Ohio University

  M.Ed in Reading Education

  2005 — 2006

Skills

• Literacy
• Lesson Planning
• Elementary Education
• Classroom Management
• Differentiated Instruction
• Educational Technology
• Classroom
• Curriculum Design
• Educational Leadership
• Teacher Training
• Teaching
• Curriculum Development
• Tutoring
• Staff Development
• K-12
• English as a Second Language (Esl)
• Public Speaking
• K-12 Education