When Leo Child enrolled in IDOL Academy in September 2024, she brought with her over 14 years of experience as an academic manager in London, a strong background in teacher training, and two master’s degrees. But despite her expertise, Leo felt a growing urge to expand her skills in digital learning and keep up with the evolving landscape of education technology. She had a professional itch—and she was ready to scratch it.

"I was sick and tired of building PowerPoints," Leo shared. "I knew there had to be more."

That itch led her to IDOL Academy, where she found the hands-on, tech-forward learning experience she craved. After weighing her options between a UK-based digital learning program and IDOL Academy, Leo chose IDOL for its immersive, practical approach. While her colleague opted for a more theory-heavy course, Leo knew she wanted to "get under the bonnet" and start building real, interactive content.

Fast forward a few months, and Leo had not only completed several software trainings but also earned the prestigious STAR Student Badge. Her award-winning project? An eLearning course developed for a nonprofit organization in Northern Greece: the European Humanitarian Association (IHA), which supports migrant children and women.

Designing with Purpose

As an instructional designer, Leo noticed a gap in the volunteer training process at IHA. Volunteers were expected to read lengthy safeguarding documents—but few did. Those who did often struggled to apply the concepts in high-stress, real-world situations. So Leo set out to create an interactive course that made critical safeguarding content accessible, engaging, and actionable.

Using Articulate Storyline, Canva, and Vyond, Leo brought the training to life with comic book-style visuals, videos, drag-and-drop activities, and real-world scenarios. While she modestly says it wasn't "fully gamified," the end result transformed static policy documents into a learning experience that volunteers could absorb and apply.

"For me, learning is about confidence," Leo explained. "If volunteers walk away remembering five key takeaways, that’s a win."

Learning While Doing

Leo's journey through IDOL Academy isn't just academic—it's personal and practical. She's balancing her full-time job, editorial freelance work, and IDOL coursework with tenacity and a learner’s mindset. What she's learning in the Academy directly informs her work in the field, and vice versa.

She appreciates the program’s flexibility, especially as someone working across time zones from Europe. While she noted some challenges with scheduling and navigation early on, Leo now feels empowered to chart her own learning path—and that independence mirrors the spirit of IDOL’s "Do It Messy" philosophy.

Looking Ahead

Leo plans to return to IDOL Academy in the fall to complete her final modules and polish her portfolio. In the meantime, she's landed a full-time role with her editorial client and hopes to continue building courses on a freelance basis.

"I just want to keep building," she said. "It’s about developing those skills and staying connected to what’s next."

Leo's journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when lifelong learners find the right tools, community, and opportunity to grow. From safeguarding policies to sleek, interactive training modules, she’s turning knowledge into impact—one course at a time.

Inspired by Leo's story? Explore how IDOL Academy can help you take the next step in your instructional design journey. Visit idolkcourses.com/academy to learn more and start building your future today.

Want to connect with Leo? You can find her on LinkedIn: Leonora Child.