About - StoryLoon

About Us

Meaningful learning through impactful and innovative storytelling

About StoryLoon

Formed in 2018, Storyloon is an educational consultancy dedicated to empowering educators in their quest to create meaningful and engaging online courses. Guided by the latest pedagogy, learning research, and storytelling, we provide an innovative approach. We offer educators the essential tools, techniques, and strategies to craft impactful and captivating online learning experiences. Our services aim to alleviate and bring ease to educators as they embark on this transformative educational journey with us. Let’s make education a journey full of engagement, ease and empowerment, one course at a time.

Our Values:

Passion
Curiosity
Humility
Collaboration
Trust

Mission Statement:

At Storyloon, we believe in educators. We believe that they have the ability to provide educational experiences that are engaging, that promote ease and encourage empowerment. Our innovative approaches lean into the latest pedagogy, learning research, and storytelling. We leverage these latest findings to help harness these qualities and create meaningful learning.

Goals: Our 3 E’s

Engagement: Create customized learning experiences which includes truly listening to the Educator; assisting the Educator in implementing their vision; and ultimately creating products that match with their vision. Our goal is to foster engagement, support the educator in authentically expressing their content with a structure that is open to revision but emphasizes the importance of being immersed in the content.

Ease: Innovative storytelling is also about creating and applying techniques that promote ease. Both the educator and the learner’s curiosity need an environment that alleviates pressure and champions engagement. This type of environment nurtures both educator and learner, ultimately having a ripple effect beyond the classroom. At Storyloon, we are invested in creating methods that help ease the journey, not add more complications to it.

Empowerment: Meaningful learning is a collaborative process. Storyloon is in support of both the educator and learner’s outcomes. That means empowerment is about allowing learners to actively participate in knowing that their participation empowers them. Each learner’s personal investment plus the educator’s dedication to the vision of the course empowers both. Learner’s acquire self confidence and transferable skills, which they can use in any field.

Founder/CEO

Storyloon is an amalgamation of my life’s experiences poured into one place. I lean into my love for education, embracing a learner’s attitude and honor that I have for creating healthy respect for money. Thus I wear my hats as an entrepreneur, educator, and scholar with joy. As the Founder and CEO of Storyloon LLC, I empower educators to develop engaging online courses utilizing cutting-edge instructional design principles, learning research, and storytelling.

As an educator, I bring broad experience spanning education, research, instructional design, and entrepreneurship. I have been an active figure in the educational landscape, teaching in higher education and community environments. As a scholar, I have contributed academic articles on various subjects, including finance, relationships, online learning, and trauma-informed teaching.

My experiences as an entrepreneur, educator, and scholar inform this innovative work with Storyloon, offering various tools, techniques, and strategies to create captivating online learning experiences. I have also had the honor to collaborate with institutions such as the Office of Higher Education, Department of Human Services, Minneapolis College, University of Minnesota Extension, Northwestern Health Sciences University, as well as Healing and Restoration Consulting.

I am committed to improving education as well as empowering educators and would love to collaborate with those invested in the same goal.

Thank you, Dr Dung Mao

Testimonials

“I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Mao since 2016. He has served on two of my nonprofit boards and has definitely been a team player on both of them. He is committed to his work and approaches all challenges with compassion, creativity, and energy. He works on projects with drive and dedication – and is always striving to learn more so he can offer the best possible solutions! I have great admiration for Dr. Mao’s work ethic and his ability to network with the people around him! His kindness, positivity, and genuine concern for others is very apparent in all his work endeavors.”

–Lori A.

“I write this recommendation from a wide range of work experiences with Dung through my position at the University of Minnesota. Dung is a thoughtful innovator. He holds a combination of skills in the areas of technology, human development and family systems, and business principles. With this wide range of expertise he listens deeply to all involved on a project and takes time to fully understand every step by asking further clarifying questions if needed and then offering a thoughtful suggestion. He makes all participants feel understood, valued and comfortable. I have hired Dung to lead projects and know he will find ways to bring out the best in all team members and find unique ways to keep the vision moving forward with high quality.”

–Ellie M.

“Dung Mao has a wonderful blend of skills in technology, educational pedagogy, human development and family systems, and business principles that allow him to contribute unique perspectives to real-world problems and issues. He brings an uncanny warmth, and empathy in his ability to listen carefully to multiple aspects and perspectives with a goal of coming up with workable solutions. His creativity and innovation draw out the best in individuals and teams. I am continually impressed by his entrepreneurial approach to educational and technical challenges. Dung’s mindset and expertise are critically needed in the 21st-century workforce. Based on my experience as a mentor and colleague, Dung is an asset to whatever project or initiative he starts or is invited to join.”

-Catherine S.

“I am writing this recommendation as a former colleague at Northwestern Health Sciences University. In my role as Director of the Office of Faculty Development, Dr. Mao and I collaborated on many faculty development events, and as a faculty member, I owe a whole lot to him, when it comes to my online teaching and technology skills (it was a must during the height of the pandemic and now some of it has become part of the path forward). Dr. Mao is incredibly knowledgeable in instructional design, as well as video and educational technology. He always went above and beyond and was very patient when he was helping faculty build course components or whole courses, or teaching them how to do it. Dr. Mao is a leader who spearheads initiatives and projects, he is also a team player who collaborates well with others, and empowers team members to shine. Last but not least, he is kind and compassionate, and I feel fortunate to call him my friend.”

-Verena V.

“An amazing creative thinker and collaborator, Dung approaches work and colleagues with integrity, conscientiousness, humility and high-leveled skills. In the 3 years that I have worked closely with him on numerous projects, every single person walks away appreciating his talents, approach, generosity and kindness. He can spot trends, and is a thoughtful learner and empathetic leader. It is truly an honor to know and work with Dung.”

-Catrina H.

“I worked closely with Dung at Northwestern Health Sciences University. There is no better colleague than Dung. He is one of the most dedicated professionals I’ve worked with and is willing to go the extra mile whenever you need it. His expertise as a designer and developer is considerable, and it helped our team come up with innovative solutions on different projects. I would gladly work with Dung again if given the chance.”

-Nancy R.

“Dr. Mao is great to work with! His professionalism and dedication is stellar. I appreciate his attention to building relationships and quality work.”

-Nakita S.