Melissa Dzierlatka Email & Phone Number

I graduated from Wesleyan University with a major in philosophy, and social justice concentration of Hermeneutic Justice. Religion minor, with special attention to the philosophy of religion, religious experience and the philosophy of mind. While at Wesleyan, I worked as a research assistant in their psychology department, as the only non-psych/neuro major assisting in a psychology research lab. After several years working in nursing and therapeutic recreation, I made the turn to education, graduate support, mentoring, and mentor recruitment at a private, tuition-free middle school in Hartford, Connecticut. I tutor writing and math, and I have proctored the SSAT. I am interested in teaching students of all ages, in various forms of storytelling, and in mentoring programs for students with invisible disabilities. My current work builds upon past experiences with persons with disabilities, to now teach job skills, work readiness and interview preparedness, as well as helping consumers to recognize their strengths and prepare for competitive employment. My work encompasses transition services and support for adults with special needs. Recent research work was to assess Connecticut's housing system and suggest improvements; program development for PWLE who have experiences with chronic homelessness; and seeking out people with resilience stories to encourage civic engagement. I am passionate about mental health, disability rights, classical philosophy, and public speaking.I have a background as a trained and certified shamanic practitioner, reiki master and life coach; however, I am currently not in practice out of respect for social norms related to cultural appropriation and the ethics of the new age market. My focus is rather on research, advocacy, and raising awareness of institutional transparency to create viable and sustainable systems change. I have prior experience in children's entertainment, entertainment for persons with dementia, therapeutic recreation, palliative care nursing, in addition to freelance portraiture, caricaturing, illustration, graphic design, logo design, and stand-up comedy. I have some experience as a regular guest DJ on college radio. I enjoy writing, reading, learning about science and the sky, random acts of kindness, and spreading joy in times of stress and hardship. When not entrenched in research projects, I enjoy spending free time with friends who have young children, and entertaining in a more personal and friendly atmosphere.

Listed skills include Art, Crafts, Tarot, Healing, and 34 others.