Social Justice
Ariel Tucker
New Carrollton,United States
Summary
Enthusiastic and well-rounded intern eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent holistic approaches to understanding the function of behaviors. Clear understanding of psychological assessments, report writing, consultation, and the problem solving process. With a passion for social justice, Multiple intelligence, dismantling the school to prison pipeline, working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and the impact trauma has on the body. Proficient and well trained in conducting FBAs, conflict resolution, team-building exercises and collaboration. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in my dream career of School Psychology.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Coordinator of Community Services
Resource Connections Inc
Lanham, MD
08.2021 - Current
- Works closely with clients with disabilities to establish rapport and collaborative relationships with clients, their families, and team members.
- Conducted quarterly progress monitoring meeting with clients, their families, and team to monitor their success, satisfaction, and goal obtainment listed in their Person-Centered-Plan (PCP/IP)
- Utilized knowledge and skills obtained M.A. in School Psychology to conduct FBAs, Consultations, and Holistic approaches to reduce target behaviors and foster better relationships.
- Used the Problem-Solving Process to conduct collaborative consultations with teams struggling with clients' behavioral concerns (behavioral consultation most frequently used).
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocated for client needs and resolved roadblocks.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Assessed and addressed motivational, psychosocial, and behavioral issues.
STEM Camp Counselor
Drobots
Bethesda, MD
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Collaborated with other camp counselors to design fun and enriching learning activities for campers.
- Developed age-appropriate arts and crafts activities to encourage campers' artistic skills development and creative expression.
- Led groups of children safely through variety of camp activities.
- Implemented recreational activities to promote campers' physical health and encourage teamwork skills development.
- Delivered first aid for accidents and injuries in compliance with established procedures to promote campers' well-being and health.
- Worked with children of varying age, interest, skill and developmental levels.
- Observed participants for signs of physical distress and stopped activity to administer care.
- Organized and lead variety of small and large group activities every Friday, including model buildings, rocket climbing, and creating life-sized board game of "Candyland." These activities promoted socio-emotional growth and development by allowing the student to help create and develop the game and rules.
Practicum Student
Baltimore City Public School System
Baltimore, MD
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of a Consultation model to assist students at-risk for retention
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Reviewed and discussed new students' academic credentials, interests and educational goals.
- Observed prevention-oriented system-level support group curated to address Digital Harbor's attendance and drop-out concerns.
- Observed students in natural settings to collect observable and measurable data for FBAs
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for key issues.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni and administration.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
Practicum Student
Prince George's Public Schools
Bowie, MD
09.2019 - 05.2020
- Selected, administered and scored psychological tests (3 WIPPSIS, 5 WISCV, 4 BASC, 1 Conners) based on the needs of students.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Met with students to conduct individual assessments and determine academic and mental health needs.
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Compiled and interpreted students' test results along with information from teachers and parents to diagnose conditions and assess eligibility for special services.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Teaching Assistant
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Set up visual aids, equipment and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Created lesson materials, visuals and digital presentations to supplement lesson plans.
- Organized and guided skills practice, research and memorization tasks for students.
- Distributed learning materials such as worksheets, textbooks and supplemental activities.
- Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work.
- Maintained schedule of support services and attended class sessions.
- Encouraged dynamic and pleasant educational environment by promoting both gentle discipline and cooperation.
Graduate Assistant
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD
09.2019 - 05.2021
- Gathered, reviewed, and summarized literature from scientific journals such as SciFinder and PubMed and produced graphs and other scientific calculations using MS Excel.
- Created and facilitated lesson materials, visuals and digital presentations to supplement lesson plans in Developmental Psychology.
- Supported department members with administrative, research and academic assistance.
- Completed administrative and research duties per professor request.
- Educated undergraduate students on developmental theorists such as Vygotsky, Piaget, Freud, Kohlberg, and B.F. Skinner
- Prepared materials for reports, presentations and submission to peer-reviewed journal publications.
Infant Teacher
US Army
Fort Meade, MD
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Developed age-appropriate activities and programs for children 6 weeks to 5 years old.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning such as Vygotsky's More Knowledgeable Other, Piaget's Play Theory and The Montessori Method, created by Maria Montessori
- Promoted physical, academic and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers and letters.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.
- Promoted development of social, emotional and communication skills in infants.
- Implemented curriculum to enhance classes with learning-focused activities.
Intensive Individual Support Services and Therapis
Children Achieving Maximum Potential
Bowie, MD
07.2018 - 01.2019
- Collaborated with treatment team and stakeholders to optimize client care by gathering information, tools and resources.
- Implemented prescribed behavioral skills training to reduce problem behavior.
- Identified, recorded and enlisted data for prescribed personal hygiene training regimen.
- Incorporated teaching and holistic training techniques to optimize client support.
- Observed client behavior and collected, documented and summarized data to formulate treatment plans.
- Handled clients safely and appropriately to minimize risk of physical injury.
- Attended training to acquire and maintain technical knowledge.
Volunteer
DePaul Community Resources
Roanoke, VA
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Worked with children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities to engage then in fun but stimulating activities.
- Kept detailed notes to closely monitor and record social, behavioral and academic growth.
- Entertained, conversed and read aloud to keep patients mentally alert.
- Supervised youth in engaging environment to promote security and safety for all ages.
- Engaged and interacted with youth members, teaching sustainable habits and coping mechanisms.
- Assisted children and teens with homework, quizzed on material prior to tests and signed off on assignments.
- Used cognitive behavior therapy techniques to assist clients in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
Research Assistant
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA
09.2017 - 05.2018
- Performed observational experiments and research studying the effect of media on early cognitive development and cognitive skills with children between the ages of 24 and 36 months and documented findings.
- Administered multimodal assessments (video with prompts no touchscreen, an interactive video with prompts, and written prompt with pictures) through a randomized design to inquiry it's impact on children
- Gathered, arranged and corrected research data that analyzed the children's abilities to understand and effectively complete the task.
- Created representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations.
Caregiver
Potter's House
Dodowa, Ghana
01.2018 - 01.2018
- Traveled to client locations to implement ecological training on working with culturally and linguistically diverse children.
- Steadily and efficiently built rapport by learning all 150 names of the youth living at the center. This lead to the fostering of genuine relationship formed with myself and the youth.
- Assisted the "mothers" in the home by helping the younger youth get ready for school.
- Facilitated lessons in geography and history with the students.
- Immerged myself into Ghanaian culture by learning the language, understanding the culture, enjoying the cuisine, and visiting national landmarks.
Education
High School Diploma -
Bluestone High School
Skipwith, VA 08.2011 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA 08.2014 - 05.2018
Master of Arts - School Psychology
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD 08.2018 - 05.2021
Skills
Client needs assessments
Teamwork and Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Self-Motivated
Interpersonal Communication
Teambuilding
Conflict Resolution
Accomplishments
- Achieved national and international recognition on research findings on, "Impacting instructional practices with Multiple Intelligence Theory."
- Presented research at Vernon C. Polite Research Symposium at Bowie State University amongst Bowie's best professors and researchers.
- Facilitated workshops on Multiple Intelligence for professional development day at Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.
- Presented research on "Impacting Instructional Practices with Multiple Intelligence Theory" at the 41st Annual International School Psychology Association Conference (ISPA) in Basel, Switzerland
- Created a community outreach program called, "PROMise Me" that focused on distributing formal dresses to low-income youth to attend prom and formal events.
Certification
Ethically certified by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research
Interests
Policy reform
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Holistic viewing and interventions
Research
Grassroots activism
Play/Art Therapy
American Sign Language
Working with linguistically and culturally diverse children
Multiple Intelligence
Policy Reform
RTI
Restorative Practices
Attended Workshop on Sex Trafficking Recognition
Attended a workshop facilitated by New Genesis that highlighted preventative measures to recognize the signs of Sex Trafficking through a clinical training. These are some of the presented warnings signs
- Appearing malnourished
- Showing signs of physical injuries and abuse
- Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, and authority figures/law enforcement
- Seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction
- Lacking official identification documents
- Appearing destitute/lacking personal possessions
- Working excessively long hours
- Living at place of employment
- Checking into hotels/motels with older males, and referring to those males as boyfriend or “daddy,” which is often street slang for pimp
- Poor physical or dental health
- Tattoos/ branding on the neck and/or lower back
- Untreated sexually transmitted diseases
- Small children serving in a family restaurant
- Security measures that appear to keep people inside an establishment - barbed wire inside of a fence, bars covering the insides of windows
- Not allowing people to go into public alone, or speak for themselves
Timeline
Coordinator of Community Services
Resource Connections Inc
08.2021 - Current
STEM Camp Counselor
Drobots
06.2021 - 08.2021
Practicum Student
Baltimore City Public School System
01.2021 - 05.2021
Practicum Student
Prince George's Public Schools
09.2019 - 05.2020
Teaching Assistant
Bowie State University
09.2019 - 12.2019
Graduate Assistant
Bowie State University
09.2019 - 05.2021
Infant Teacher
US Army
02.2019 - 11.2019
Master of Arts - School Psychology
Bowie State University
08.2018 - 05.2021
Intensive Individual Support Services and Therapis
Children Achieving Maximum Potential
07.2018 - 01.2019
Volunteer
DePaul Community Resources
01.2018 - 05.2018
Caregiver
Potter's House
01.2018 - 01.2018
Certified Grief Facilitator at Roberta's House
01-2018
Research Assistant
Hollins University
09.2017 - 05.2018
Ethically certified by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research
01-2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Hollins University
08.2014 - 05.2018
High School Diploma -
Bluestone High School
08.2011 - 05.2014