Welcome Aboard
Dark Classroom

Where Pirates Meet Pedagogy

Sail the seas of discovery that revive the learning spirit.

Ahoy!

My name is Stacy Greathouse,
a.k.a. Dr. Pyrate

I’ve got a PhD in pirates, teaching and learning, and children’s literature—basically, the trifecta of “That’s flipping cool! Wait, what do you actually do with that?” The answer: I blow "Normal" out of the water.

Normal isn’t just a state of being—it’s a town in Illinois, named after the old schools that trained teachers to stay neatly inside the box. Spoiler alert: I didn’t stay in the box. No classroom needed.

With over 30 years of experience across K-12, alternative schools, corporate training, community education, and higher ed, I’ve taught everything from pirates and public speaking to algebra and instructional design. I’ve held titles like teacher, adjunct, curriculum developer, instructional designer, instructional technologist, career counselor, and even standardized test scorer (talk about trauma!).

But the most important title I’ve ever had? Learner. Every role taught me that the system wasn’t designed to truly serve learners or educators—and that’s when the pyrate in me kicked in.

I’m here for educators who know the system is sinking and are ready to form their own crew. If you’re ready to defy toxic rules and create learner-centered experiences that make a difference right now, I’ve got the skills, sass, and treasure map to get you there. Let’s make it legendary.

Dr. Pyrate. A white woman with glasses and short, rainbow-colored hair. She's wearing a bright pink sweater and smilling

Services

Makerspaces for Educators

From Pedagogy to Practice—Now

A cohort-based creator space where educators turn theory into action. This is hands-on professional development designed to make you a self-sufficient learner-teacher.

🔹 Build your own learning experiences with the right training, tools, team, and time.
🔹 Solve your teaching pain points with the support of like-minded educators.
🔹 Leave with ready-to-use methods, materials, and strategies.

📌 Private cohorts available.

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Learning Experience Strategy & Solutions

The Expertise You Need—Where You Need It

🔹 Instructional Design – Full-framework instructional design: aligned, accessible, and research-driven. Includes quality alignment, assessments, vetted content, and more.
🔹 Instructional Technology – Development and evaluation of courses, learning objects, and instructional assets in your LMS or ed-tech platform. EdTech training and support available.
🔹 Instructor Support & Training – Facilitating course delivery, providing coaching, and supporting educators.

📌 Custom learning solutions available.

Motley Crew Mentorship

Learning Experience Design—With a Crew

One-on-one and small group mentorship for higher ed, free-market educators, community programs, and one-off events.

🔹 Work through the entire learning experience design process from start to finish.
🔹 Build evidence-based, high-impact learning aligned with research and best practices.
🔹 Get role-specific training in instructional design, development, and delivery.

📌 For educators who want to build truly transformative learning experiences.

Motley Crew Studios

A Shared Space for Focused Work & Support

Stay accountable. Stay productive. Stay supported.

🔹 A structured, synchronous workspace for independent or small-group tasks.
🔹 Not a workshop—this is for getting your own projects done in a shared, supportive space.
🔹 Think body-doubling, but for educators & instructional designers.

📌 Public Studios: Donation-based | Private Studios: Available by request.