Lea L. May
Oklahoma City, OK
______
OBJECTIVE

To advocate for children and families through collaboration with practitioners, community agencies, leaders, and legislators.

PROFESSIONALSTUDIES
Walden University
PhD program in Human Services
August 2011 to present
University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Edmond, OK

Master of Science in Family & Child Studies May 2010

Overall GPA 3.81/4.0

Thesis: The effects of recess on kindergarten student behavior.

MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), Olathe, KS

Certificate of Play Therapy, May 2011

Practicum – Family & Children’s Consultants (350 hours)

University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Edmond, OK

Bachelor of Science in General Studies, May 2008

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

December 2011 to Present

OCCC

Adjunct Professor – Social Sciences Division

July 2010 – Present

Family & Children’s Consultants – Oklahoma City, OK

Contract Provider- Therapist – Family & Child Therapy, Behavioral Health Rehab. Specialists & Case Management Service Provider

August 2010 – Present

Head Start Body Start -Physical Activity Consultant

  • observe, model, and discuss strategies for developing physical activity and outdoor play.
  • make recommendations about maximizing newly acquired resources to incorporate more movement activities outdoors.
  • Collaborate with Head Start center staff/parents to increase physical activity and healthy lifestyles for young children.

October 2010 to Present

Center for Early Childhood & Professional Development

Educator

  • Teaching Classes for Child Care Providers in OKC area

2009- August 2010

Oklahoma Department of Human Services—Oklahoma City, OK

Child Welfare Specialists 1—Division of Prevention as a Temp.

  • Responsible for working with clients and service providers.

2009- May 2010

University of Central Oklahoma—Research Assistant 2009-2010

Human Environmental Sciences Department Research Assistant.

  • SSCI (Self-Studies for Continuous Improvement) report,
  • Graduate Survey for the HES Department
  • Thesis Manual
  • Recess Advocacy Toolbox.

2007 to 2009

Deer Creek High School –Registrar

  • Responsible for all student information, grades, transcripts and cumulative files.
  • State reporting on Okla. Department of Education website.
  • Training new secretaries and staff on student information system.

2000 to 2007

Deer Creek High School –Secretary

  • General clerical duties, attendance reporting, eligibility, substitute coordinator.
  • Organizing front desk procedures.
  • Interaction with students, parents and faculty on a daily basis.

2000 to July 2010

North Pointe Baptist Church-Child Care coordinator

  • Securing childcare workers as needed for activities during church functions.
  • Supervision of workers during childcare events.
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

IPA/USA Winter 2009 Newsletter, Becoming an Advocate for Recess.

IPA/USA Spring 2009 Newsletter, Recess and Child Development.

The Association for the Study of Play, Play Review Newsletter, Fall 2009,

Recess and Child Development

Assisted Dr. LaDonna Atkins with “Play “presentation at El Reno Community College

through Smart Start, Fall 2008.

“Engaging College Students in Play Research & Creative Projects” at the NAEYC Professional Development Institute in Charlotte, NC, June 2009.

ECAO Conference presenter “Let’s Play”, September 2009 & Oct. 2010

Oklahoma Research Day, November 2009, Poster Presentation.

Play Conference: Urban Play, The Association for the Study of Play/International Play Association March 10-13, 2010 at Georgia State University (Roundtable discussion).

April 2012, Presentation for students from Southwestern Okla. State University – Play Therapy

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Play therapy techniques, education, and family therapy.

The topics of play and recess are main interests. Completed my thesis on The effects of recess on kindergarten student behavior.

Developing a “Recess Advocacy Toolbox” which is currently posted on the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition website.

Leadership and advocacy for families and children.

Infant Mental Health.

Play based preschools vs. didactic based preschools.

Public policy-related issues.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Association 4 Play Therapy (member) 201 to present

American Association for Marriage & Family Therapist (member) 2011 to present

Oklahoma Association for Marriage & Family Therapist (member) 2011 to present

Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma—Newsletter position 2009-2012

International Play Association/USA 2009-2012

Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition 2009-2010

National Association of the Education of Young Children 2008-2012

National Council on Family Relations 2008-2010

Southern Early Childhood Association 2008-2012

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP)2010-2012

The Oklahoma Registry –Professional Development Ladder, Level 8, 2011-2012

UCO Campus Council on Family Relations 2010

UCO Early Childhood Association 2008-2010

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENCES
Play Therapy Certification

LMFT/Candidate

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy training (10 CEU contact hours)

Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Specialists (BHRS) and Behavioral Health Case Management II certified through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Center for Early Childhood Professional Development – Approved educator 2010-2012, University of Oklahoma.

AWARDS & HONORS

University of Central Oklahoma

Dean’s Honor Roll, Fall 2008

University of Central Oklahoma

Human Environmental Science Faculty & Alumni Scholarship recipient 2009-2010

University of Central Oklahoma

Recipient of Student Research, Creative, and Scholarly Activities Grant 2009-2010

1/4 time Research Assistantship in the Dept. of Human Environmental Science & Tuition Waiver

OSU-OKC President’s List of Distinguished Part-time Students—Summer 2009

INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES

Volunteer advocate for the Grassroots Action Team in Oklahoma for the American Heart Association. Physical Education interest area. 2009-2012

Previously involved with Deer Creek High Schools Student Support Groups, Healthy & Fit and Safe School Committee.

Tri Church Sunday morning Children’s worship leader.

2009-2011Vice-President of PTO for Harding Fine Arts Academy Charter School Oklahoma City.

Volunteer for Whiz Kid’s tutoring program once a week during the school year.

Parent Education

COMPUTER SKILLS

  • Strong Technical background with computers.
  • Proficient in the following programs:
  • Microsoft Word 2007, Excel
  • Publisher
  • Outlook
  • Student Information Systems.
  • SPSS educational statistic program.

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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