Life & Work with Blair Stamper of Downriver, MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blair Stamper

Hi Blair, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ever since I was little, my life mission was to make a difference in the world. I’ve survived many hard events in my life including depression and anxiety. I have learned to be resilient and I’ve always loved being able to help someone overcome the same stuff I’ve gone through. I love seeing that light bulb moment in someone’s eyes when they did something they never thought was possible.

I started my career as a middle school math and science teacher and loved what I did until I didn’t. I had just earned my Master’s in Educational Technology and started searching for anything and everything that I could do with my degree. I accidentally fell into a position in higher education as an instructional designer. I’ve been doing this for ten years now and absolutely love what I do. The downside of this position is not being able to directly work with students and see the impact of my work. Because of this, I continue to teach part-time to be able to help others reach new levels of success.

This feeling of missing something also led me to create what I call my side mission in life: empowering women to see potential in themselves they never thought was possible. I’ve really embraced this era of being a speaker, author, and community leader. In November 2024 I started the Downriver Chapter of MIB International and have begun planning a Downriver Women’s Conference for Feb 1st, 2026 called SOAR.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My childhood was not smooth. I grew up in a single-parent household since I was 5 years old. My mom remarried briefly where I had a step-brother. We often battled for attention and did not become close like I expected. When I was 15, my elementary best friend died in a car crash and when I was 16 my step-brother died from an overdose. Add to all of that, I was in an abusive relationship for most of my high school years and early college. I grew up in an area of wealth and did not fit in at all. I was overweight and did not wear the highest fashion and brands during those years. While all of this was tough. I attribute these experiences to the resilience I have built as an adult.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an empowerment speaker with over 15 years of speaking experience. My talks have included trainings, presenting research, and personal development. I have presented at multiple schools and universities including Washtenaw Community College, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Michigan – Dearborn. I have also presented at conferences including the Online Learning Consortium, Doctoral Research Conferences, iLRN, and more.

I am an award-winning and published Instructional Designer (ID). As an ID in higher education, I work with faculty to create student-centered and active online courses that align with high-quality standards. My passions lie in humanizing learning, student success, active learning, and utilizing learning analytics to improve course experience. I am also an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University and Arizona State University.

I began working in education as a middle school math and science teacher in 2012. Using my teaching experiences with curriculum design and my love for technology, I found my true niche in the instructional design field in 2015. After nine years as an ID, my passion for sharing my expertise with the online learning field has led me to be published in Educause Review and Journal of Applied Instructional Design, become an active member of Educause, Online Learning Consortium, and UPCEA, and the creation of my Be an Instructional Design Rockstar podcast.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, money doesn’t define success. Instead, it is knowing that I am in alignment with who I am meant to be. That the work I am doing revitalizes me rather than drains me.

Pricing:

• Ticket to MIB Downriver Events: $15
• Ticket to SOAR Conference February 1st, 2026: $75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blairstamper.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drblairstamper/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drblairstamper/