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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Antoinette SaundersBachelor of Arts

Psychology , 2009

Personal Statement

As an entrepreneur, most of my adult life I have worked for myself. It is most

gratifying and self fulfilling because I can use my own mind, my own beliefs, and my own talents to create who I am. The universe saw fit to bless me with two wonderful daughters. One diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy because of errors made after delivery, and the other who has Social Anxiety Disorder after experiencing trauma as a young girl. I had heard horror stories of the fights people had because they had a child with special needs, so I spent the next eighteen years researching and learning everything I could about special education law and disabilities and became one of the most knowledgeable Educational Consultants in MA.

I started my nonprofit organization on April 1, 2001 to help typically underserved families ensure an appropriate education for their special needs child, and have worked with approximately fifteen hundred families in almost nine years empowering them to envision and fight for a better future. There is nothing more fulfilling in my life than to see the smile on a young adult’s face when they walk across the stage with their high school diploma against sometimes what seems like insurmountable odds.

I will begin graduate school in March to get my Masters in Social Psychology and go on to get my Doctorate in the same field of study. I intend to become a writer and keynote speaker to address the disparaging treatment and outcomes of the children who are not honored by all in society with a longer term goal to create an assessment tool that can measure the true abilities of people with physical limitations.

ResumeAntoinette Saunders

24 Widow Coombs WalkSandwich MA 02563

508-420-4356tonisaunders.com tonisvision@aol.com

Objective To work in an environment that honors the fact that “all” children have the right to be respected for

their contribution to their community and society no matter how big or small and the first step is to ensure an appropriate education.

SummaryEffective interpersonal and collaborative communication skillsSuccessful youth and parent empowerment program developmentCommunity organizer; school and court advocacy: dismantling the constructs of racism and

oppression of disenfranchised and marginalized youth in the education and juvenile justice systems.

Employment History

2001 – Present Educational ConsultantAssociated Advocacy Center-Visions for the Future, Inc., Sandwich MAConduct student records assessments for parents and court personnel to determine the needs of a

child with or without a disability. Provide educational advocacy services to help parents advocate for their child in school and court. Develop, direct, and implement trainings for parents, youth, and advocates. Conduct community organizing and collaborations to dismantle the “School to Prison Pipeline” phenomenon. Daily operations including: bookkeeping (Quickbooks); grant writing.

1999-2001 Satellite Office DirectorFederation for Children with Special Needs, Hyannis MAConducted phone interviews to provide resolution strategies and community connections for parents

of children with special needs; special education trainings; Federation representative at conferences, and community organizer

Resume (continued)

1998-1999 After-school Program CoordinatorSafe Harbor Battered Women’s Shelter, Hyannis MAImplemented after school programs for the children of battered women living in the shelter and designed and implemented a

program for the women called “Women’s Empowerment through Self Defense”1996-1998 Disability Program Coordinator/Court Advocate for Battered WomenHabilitation Assistance Corporation/Independence House, Hyannis MAConducted consumer program development and implementation/Advocated for battered women in courtEducation National Honors Society Bachelor’s of Arts-Psychology - Argosy University 2009 - GPA 3.91Associates of Arts-Psychology - Cape Cod Community College 2007CertificationsFashion Merchandising/ModelingCulinary ArtsMassage TherapyMemberships, Volunteer & Board Affiliations• Associated Advocacy Center-Visions for the Future, Inc.-President• Cape Cod Justice for Youth Collaborative-Steering Committee Secretary• Haymarket People’s Fund-Funding Panel• Cape Verdean Museum Task Force• 21st Century Institute-Board Member• Cape Cod Youth Empowerment Initiative-Associate/Partner• Cape Cod Chamber of CommerceInterests and Hobbies Reading, research, sociology, education, justice, entrepreneur (operate 4 separate businesses), martial artist (instructor),

sculptor (wood, clay), spiritualist

Reflection

I started my academic tenure at Argosy University in January 2007 fortunately with an Associates in Arts in Psychology, advanced academic skills, self-discipline for success with online classes, and a vision for my future. Over the two years that I’ve spent at Argosy, I have to say that my favorite experiences were communicating with my fellow classmates over issues that were passionate to me. The posts allowed me to conduct peer reviewed research and then have poignant and interesting discussions about current issues in psychology and other related subjects. My papers allowed me to develop my creative writing and research skills, which will help me succeed in graduate school as I advance to my doctorate degree.

As in every school, there were phenomenal professors and those that were not so good, but I learned how to get through each class with perseverance with the latter. There were times when classes were not constructed as appropriately as they should have been and communication between the student advisors, financial aid staff, and I, was not as synchronistic as I would have liked, but it just reflected the ups and downs experienced in life. I do realize that no one thing is perfect.

I made a few friends that I believe will be life long, while we maneuvered through the course materials together realizing that we continue to see some of the same names during module one introductions. So during the two years, it was as if we were roommates in a dorm exchanging views about important and interesting topics from class.

My most powerful strength in online courses is my personal drive for excellence. My most powerful weakness is my desire not to work on projects with others who do not share the same value for academic excellence as I do.

I am happy that this experience is over because as an older student, I’m looking forward to getting on with my degrees so that I can fulfill my personal academic goals.

Table of Contents

1. Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

2. Research Skills3. Communication Skills: Oral and

Written4. Ethics and Diversity Awareness5. Foundations of Psychology6. Applied Psychology7. Interpersonal Effectiveness

Critical Thinking

• Able to formulate reasoned opinions on a wide range of psychological perspectives and theories within written and oral presentations.

• When presenting (in written work or orally), assesses a given topic from multiple perspectives and evaluates merit of each perspective.

• Able to systematically analyze and appraise the complexities of a given issue.

Title: Journey Through LifeArgosy University

Psychology of AgingAging Naturally

September 20, 2009

Research Skills

• Able to correctly summarize the research design, statistical and other evaluative tools, and findings of the article.

• Able to use sound reasoning as a basis for criticizing the research results.

Title: The Rise in Autism Spectrum DisorderArgosy UniversityResearch Methods

Has the incidence of A.S.D. risen exponentially since 1991?

June 28, 2009

Communication Skills

• Exhibits the ability to develop and apply appropriate levels of conciseness and clarity in content, language use, grammar, organization using APA formatting.

• Exhibits the ability to develop, apply and defend a particular stance related to psychological concepts in written work.

Title: Community Bullying Intervention ProgramArgosy University

Children & ViolenceYouth Empowerment through Self-Awareness

June 4, 2009

Ethics & Diversity Awareness

• Effectively engages in multiculturally-sensitive thought and action, evidenced by the ability to articulate best-practices pertaining to case examples and/or other specific diversity issues and populations associated with the field.

• Recognizes more subtle forms of discrimination and prejudice within and around psychology and can construct alternative analyses and choices of behaviors.

• Claims ownership over personal biases, and works to increase awareness and respect for diverse populations.

Title: Aging Brochure-Citizen’s Guide to Elder AbuseArgosy University

Psychology of AgingPrevention & Reporting

October 17, 2009

Foundations of Psychology

• Exhibits consistent recognition and exceptional comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, applications and historical trends in psychology or within a specific area of study in the field.

• Able to synthesize and evaluate various psychological theories, and apply them to explain everyday events and experiences.

Title: Cultural Competency in EducationArgosy University

Advanced General PsychologyThe Link Between Cultural Competency and Education

December 5, 2009

Applied Psychology

• Provides comprehensive explanations that incorporate psychological principles, as well as, empirical data and best practices.

• Demonstrates the ability to use psychological principles in solving problems, explaining social issues, and dealing with everyday life situations.

Title: Men’s Health Inc. BrochureArgosy University

Psychology of AgingGood Health is not Forever

April 18, 2009

Interpersonal Effectiveness

• Able to consistently and effectively apply active listening communication skills in interpersonal and organizational scenarios to establish empathetic, collegial relationships that facilitate consensus building in working toward common goals and is appreciative of diversity and culture.

• Able to consistently analyze the importance of effective nonverbal communication skills in developing strong interpersonal and organizational relationships that are culturally sensitive and respectful of diversity.

• Actively solicits and utilizes feedback to develop adaptable strategies of facilitating dynamic interpersonal and organizational relationships.

• Consistently & actively demonstrates an understanding of the impact of technological advances on communication within interpersonal and organizational relationships.

• Consistently demonstrates strong utilization of effective communication and relationship skills in order to promote the growth of others and effect change.

Title: Programs for a Positive FutureArgosy UniversityCrime & Causes

Mentoring the Adults of TomorrowNovember 4, 2008

My Future in Learning

Life is simply an experience in learning, everyday something is gained. I will not stop until I am called Dr. Saunders and my words are taken more seriously because I have the credentials after my name. I feel that over my fifty one years on this planet, my life experiences have allowed me to speak with truth and knowledge on subjects that I am passionate about, such as education. However, I also

feel that I am never too old to learn more…

and more…

and more…

and more…Because I’m here to

“Save the Children: Heal the Earth ”

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. tonisvision@aol.com