Melodi Kitzmiller

I am passionate about teaching undergraduate students psychology courses including: Child and Adolescent Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Personality Psychology. During my practicum at both the undergraduate and master's levels, I was given the opportunity to work with a child therapist who specialized in working with children and adolescents, which provided me with firsthand experience in Child and Adolescent Psychology, as well as a practical understanding of development.   

The biggest reason that I returned to earn a Ph.D. was to teach at the undergraduate level. While I am willing to relocate closer to a full-time teaching position, it is important to me to work on the Eastern Shore. During my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Psychology, I have sought to understand the teaching process within the field.

Currently, I am ABD, with a solid understanding of Learning Management Systems including Canvas, Blackboard, and Google Classroom. I can integrate technology into the classroom to create a multimedia learning experience. Today’s students are accustomed to having multiple forms of media at their fingertips, so learning through the use of popular television series, TED Talks, computer-managed surveys, and other engaging tools keeps them engaged in the learning process. 

My learning experience has included training in developing assessments and curriculum. I have also gained experience during my work with Middle and High School students in accurately grading assignments and exams, while maintaining a thriving working relationship with them. The challenge of teaching these students to love the writing process was exhilarating. One of my greatest accomplishments was revealed when a high school football player stated that he loves writing because of my class. 

I possess strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, which I have developed through counseling, running my own successful business, and working with students. My current counseling, coaching, and consulting business is four years old, and I have previously owned a thriving antique furniture business for more than 20 years. I have maintained relationships with customers for decades and have successfully organized all the administrative aspects of my companies. I have also fostered healthy relationships with students and young clients.  

I enjoy developing courses and curricula, and I can work independently as well as collaboratively with others. I was responsible for planning courses and creating syllabi when I taught English. Working with clients, coaches, and engaging in volunteer work has allowed me to develop solid conflict management skills. I have had the opportunity to teach conflict management skills to peer mental coaches, which sharpened my skills. 

Whether in the classroom, coaching, or counseling, I am committed to mentoring students. Young adults are one of my favorite populations to work with, and I have extensive experience working with individuals from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. It is vital to maintain excellence in teaching through a student-centered approach, as learning occurs most effectively when educators listen to and understand their students. If a teacher does not understand what a student knows and understands, then the student's learning will be diminished. I would highly value the opportunity to participate in academic governance through committee work, as this provides an opportunity to have a greater influence on students. 

ENTREPRENEUR, CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR, MENTAL HEALTH COACH, INSTRUCTOR Feb 2021 - Present ONE BY ONE, LLC | Millsboro, DE 

• Identified gaps in adult mental health coaching coursework by comparing the existing course to the objectives used to teach counselors how to help people and integrated real-life case studies, making peer mental health coaches more confident in coaching others. 

• Developed a course to address the gaps and taught it in a face-to-face setting, enabling mental health coaches to grow as people helpers and to develop spiritually. 

• Addressed challenges of diverse trauma-related needs, developed personalized, trauma-informed, faith-based counseling protocols, reducing client symptoms to allow for growth emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. 

• Navigated the complexities of starting One By One LLC, optimized business operations, and personalized service offerings. • Maintained ongoing communication with local churches, developed peer mental health ministries, identified a need for enhanced coaching  effectiveness, and created a synergy between teaching and communication skills through supervised role-play scenarios.

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR Fall 2017 - Dec 2021 GLASGOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY  | Newark, DE

• Developing and Implementing Syllabi by integrating Biblical principles for learning English and writing lessons. 

• Instructing students in English and writing, grading, posting grades, and interacting with students and parents in a Christ-like way. • Integrating scriptural principles into the class's literature discussions and recognizing concepts within the material that can be paralleled or contrasted with scriptural principles can create conversational-style lessons. 

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER AND CO-OWNER Mar 1993 - Winter 2011 Kitzmiller's Antiques | Wooster, OH 

• Managed daily administrative processes by organizing and developing systems to ensure efficient workflows. 

• Maintained ongoing communication with customers and vendors to maintain amicable relationships. 

• Developed and built an eBay business, managing 200-plus listings per week. 

• Maintained accounting records on a monthly and quarterly basis. 

GRADUATE COURSES  

• Theories of Counseling, Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling, Multicultural Counseling, Counseling Techniques & Helping Relationships

• Psychopathology and Counseling, Group Counseling, Counseling Practicum, Issues & Trends in Community Counseling

• Career Development & Counseling, Marriage & Family Counseling 1, Substance Abuse: Diagnosis & Treatment, 

• Applied Counseling Theory, Clinical Diagnosis/ Treatment Plan, Assessment Techniques in Counseling,

• Trauma Assessment and Intervention, Complex Trauma and Disasters, Research Foundations

• Research & Program Evaluation, Advanced Quantitative Reasoning & Analysis, Advanced Qualitative Reasoning & Analysis

• Teaching Psychology, Teaching Psychology Practicum

PH.D. IN PSYCHOLOGY May 2026 Walden University | GPA 4.0 | ABD

• Research interests include the dynamics of religious abuse on women and the role of patriarchal structures from Feminist Standpoint Theory.

• The aim is to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of these issues to support effective, compassionate care for those affected and to provide research-based psycho-educational materials for survivors and clinicians.. 

• Further areas of interest: Attachment Theory, Narrative Trauma Theory, Systems Theory, Feminist Standpoint Theory

MASTER OF ARTS HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELING - CRISIS AND TRAUMA RESPONSE Dec 2021 Liberty University | GPA 3.9 

MASTERS OF ARTS CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING Transferred: Spring 2021 Liberty University | GPA 3.9 

• CACREP-accredited program 

• 48 Credits Completed 

• National Counselors Exam - Passed 

• Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination - Passed 

• Comprehensive Integration Exam - Passed 

Note: The pandemic created a delay for my internship which meant delaying my doctoral work, so the decision was made to take the Human Services Masters and begin doctoral work. 

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE PSYCHOLOGY Sep 2017 Liberty University | GPA 3.78