All posts by Mackenzie Duncan

Work Samples

This link is an infographic that I created about foster care systems.

https://create.piktochart.com/output/35275157-foster-care-systems

 

The next link is from an English Class I took freshman year. I created a present about a scar I have and how I adapted it to my life.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r1xO9VWfefeeaPzsqB9x2IYUy0Sp6XlUFvQfW21awDU/edit?usp=sharing

 

During Partnership, I worked with a team to design a Problem Based Learning Lesson Plan, otherwise known as a PBL.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_b2wh6NhBz8bAgHFbv0Zn9phoJO5G_l-yiNjA83FUnA/edit?usp=sharing

Data Analysis Project

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hZ7PwflMnXjOSyMDCwjpsAWn3y1iAIa5WMXZo6bhSRA/edit?usp=sharing

This link will lead you to a spread sheet of an estimation of the Virginia population between the years 2010 – 2017. The data shows that each year, the population increases. Since 2010, it is estimated that the population has increased by 444,814 people.

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fz8A-D7aVmWoXsBqb4XzszdfvULTeZLHzxFHSNiYQWU/edit?usp=sharing

This link will lead you to a spreadsheet of the percentage of households in the United States that have a female householder with no father present. The data shows that this percentage ranges from 12.7% to 13% in the 7 years studied.

Resume

Cover Letter and Resume

This link will lead you to my cover letter and resume. It gives details about a daycare assistant position that I would like to apply for. I have years of experience in childcare. I am also CPR certified which the job requires. I am a fast learner, a hard worker, and I am a good team member.

 

Coursework

After teaching for a semester, I came to the realization that I am more interested in human behavior and helping children explore their emotions. I chose psychology as my minor because I want to earn my masters in counseling and turn that degree into a guidance counseling  job in an elementary school setting.  A psychology minor would be a good foundation for the career path that I intend on taking.  I have not taken any courses for it yet, but I do have many education classes under my belt. Although I do not want to pursue a teaching degree any longer, I believe that these classes will still be beneficial for me to pursue psychology and eventually, guidance counseling. Taking the education classes gave me the opportunity to gain a teacher’s perspective of students and how children behave and interact in the classroom. I can use this perspective and information when working with students and other teachers in the school setting.

Here is a list of the courses I have taken at Longwood University that are relevant to my new area of study:

Human Growth and Development, Children’s Literature, Survey to Exceptional Children, Behavior Management, and Practicum Application.

About Me

Hello! My name is MacKenzie Duncan and I am a senior at Longwood University. I am a Liberal Studies Major with a minor in Psychology. I started my college career with the intentions of being a teacher. I am now more interested in psychology and counseling, therefore I plan on taking the path towards becoming a guidance counselor!

I believe that leadership is a quality that any professional should  inquire.  Leadership is not a position, it is action. Although I have held many leadership positions throughout high school, college, and work, actions speak louder than a position title. I am in the national co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. The three principles that Alpha Phi Omega  derive from are leadership, friendship, and service.  I have held the leadership positions of Historian and Boy Scout Chair. Through these positions, I have shown leadership by showing commitment, accountability, passion, delegation, communication, and integrity.

A few summers ago, I worked in childcare at the YMCA. After that, I was a lead teacher at an academic preschool. Currently, I am a Therapeutic Recreation Counselor for the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. No matter what the job is, each one requires professionalism and leadership. I may not have held specific titles during my work employment, but I believe that it is important to be a leader in any position to inspire those around you and to enhance the works pace.

Trauma and Stress

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When you feel better, you do better!

Children are exposed to stress constantly, whether it’s at home or at school. This stress can come different sources, such as from school, themselves, or from the peers and adults in their lives. All children respond to stress differently depending on previous trauma, social-emotional support, and genetic predisposition. Children need to experience emotional stress to develop healthy coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills. There are three types of emotional stress: positive, tolerable, and toxic. Positive stress helps guide growth. Tolerable stress is not necessarily helpful, but it should not cause permanent damage to the child. Toxic stress is sufficient to overcome a child’s undeveloped coping mechanisms and lead to long-term impairment and illness. When children are exposed to toxic stress caused from trauma, the effects many not be immediately visible or apparent to a specialist. Neglect and psychological maltreatment can be traumatic and stressful. This trauma and stress will impact a child’s future, all the way into adulthood, if the issue is not addressed. Research shows that 50-70% of adults have experienced one traumatic event in their life. Untreated trauma can lead to PTSD, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and many other disorders. This is why it is critical to have counselors and psychologists within school systems to not only support the students, but to also support the teachers and staff of the school. When students feel better, they do better. When teachers feel better, they do better as well!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/advancing-psychiatry/201812/is-it-safe-face-your-trauma