Clever Fox

Instructional Design | Editing | Content Writing

Regina Cleek, CA

"I asked Karissa to 'fine tune' a 'talk' that I was asked to give at a Woman's conference and I'm so glad I did! The first thing she helped me with was my structure. My opening statement had too much and was discombobulated. Her suggestions were more linear and had more clarity. She was quick to get back to me and was encouraging. She didn't heavily edit my thoughts which in turn kept it genuine and true to my personality. I would use her again in a heart beat."

About Me

I’m the educator, editor, and content creator behind Clever Fox—an identity born from a lifelong love of language and a deep belief in the power of curiosity to drive both learning and creative expression.

The name Clever Fox was no accident. Foxes are agile, inquisitive, and adaptable—traits I strive to bring to every project, whether I’m designing instructional materials or refining a manuscript. At Clever Fox, I believe curiosity is the cleverest tool we have—for classrooms, for stories, and for growth.

I’ve taught English Language Arts to middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults, and I’ve supported students and writers alike through freelance editing. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of walking the aisles of bookstores with my grandfather, nose buried in books and imagination sparked. That same passion still drives me today—not just as a reader, but as someone who delights in nurturing others’ creative and intellectual journeys.

Whether you're an educator looking for meaningful, student-centered resources or a writer seeking thoughtful editorial support, I’m here to help you bring your ideas to life with clarity, purpose, and care. Let’s create something clever together.

An young woman with redish-blonde hair. Portrait of founder of Clever Fox: Karissa Metcalf.

Education

May 2024

M.Ed, Education Technology and Instructional Design

Western Governor University

My master’s in Instructional Design from WGU helped me bridge the worlds of education and business. I learned to develop effective eLearning modules using the ADDIE model and other research-based practices, designing instructional materials that support learning outcomes in both academic and corporate settings.

May 2020

Preliminary Teaching Credential

Teachers College of San Joaquin

Through TCSJ’s credential program, I gained practical experience designing and delivering instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. My training focused on classroom management, assessment, and differentiation, equipping me to create inclusive, student-centered learning environments.

December 2017

BA - English
California State University, Stanislaus

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English from CSU Stanislaus through the Single Subject Matter Preparation Program, which prepared me to teach English at the secondary level. The program emphasized deep literary analysis, academic writing, and curriculum planning—skills that have continued to inform both my teaching and content development work.

Certifications

May 2025

Certified in Professional Book Editing
ELVTR Course led by Julia Wallace, Penguin Random House

Completed with excellence, this certification included advanced training in:

Developmental Editing: Structuring narratives, character arcs, and pacing for maximum impact
Line Editing: Refining sentence-level clarity, tone, and style
Manuscript Evaluation: Assessing a manuscript’s strengths, weaknesses, and market readiness
Fact-Checking: Ensuring factual accuracy and consistency throughout a manuscript
Marketing Strategies: Positioning a book for its target audience and market
Book Proposals: Crafting persuasive submissions that capture agent and publisher interest

This intensive program emphasized real-world industry standards and sharpened both my editorial eye and strategic thinking across genres.

Services