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The Mission and Vision of Tools For Motherhood

Mission & Vision

The Mission of Tools for Motherhood material is to equip mothers of young children (ages 0-5 years) with “tools” they can use to help prepare their young child for school readiness in the five main subject areas. Activities are geared to items moms may have around the house and can be done for just a few minutes each day. Through the various learning platforms, mothers will also be able to learn from one another fun activities they have enjoyed trying with their own child.

Mary Duncan, has a Ph.D. in Education, a master’s degree in teaching and has taught various grade levels over the last 30 years as a certified teacher. Each semester, she enjoys teaching at the University as a Graduate Workshop Instructor for preschool and elementary teachers as well as working for a government agency as a Division Training Coordinator. She is a motivational instructor who strives to differentiate instruction to meet student needs for both classroom and online training as well as provide resources to enhance the learning experience. In the past, she was a MOPS mentor mom. Dr. Duncan has created and presented CEU credited early childhood workshops, traveled around the Midwest as a speaker for mothers’ groups, and presented at National and International Conferences. She has held leadership roles and is a team player on state and national-level educational councils, boards, and committees and served under two Governors as chair of an education council. In 2014, Dr. Duncan was a featured Presenter and Author at the State Book Festival, where she shared her new book. Spring 2017, she spoke at an EC Education Conference in Atlanta, GA. Based on that national presentation, she was then invited to lead an Oxford Round Table Symposium for International Scholars at Oxford University in England, which she did March 2018. Summer 2017, she led a teacher’s conference in Port au Prince, Haiti, Central America. Summer 2019, she presented at a World Early Childhood Conference in Panama City, Panama. In January 2020, she was invited to be part of a US Panel that were the keynote speakers at the Belize International Symposium in Belize, Central America.

Professional Research:

Master’s Thesis: An Examination of Training to Enhance Intentional Parental Involvement to increase Kindergarten Readiness Skills. (2009)

PhD Doctoral Research Title: Case Study of Teen Mothers’ Perceptions of Their Influence on Preschoolers’ Language Development. (2016)

Mary Duncan, has a Ph.D. in Education, a master’s degree in teaching and has taught various grade levels over the last 30 years as a certified teacher. Each semester, she enjoys teaching at the University as a Graduate Workshop Instructor for preschool and elementary teachers as well as working for a government agency as a Division Training Coordinator. She is a motivational instructor who strives to differentiate instruction to meet student needs for both classroom and online training as well as provide resources to enhance the learning experience. In the past, she was a MOPS mentor mom. Dr. Duncan has created and presented CEU credited early childhood workshops, traveled around the Midwest as a speaker for mothers’ groups, and presented at National and International Conferences. She has held leadership roles and is a team player on state and national-level educational councils, boards, and committees and served under two Governors as chair of an education council. In 2014, Dr. Duncan was a featured Presenter and Author at the State Book Festival, where she shared her new book. Spring 2017, she spoke at an EC Education Conference in Atlanta, GA. Based on that national presentation, she was then invited to lead an Oxford Round Table Symposium for International Scholars at Oxford University in England, which she did March 2018. Summer 2017, she led a teacher’s conference in Port au Prince, Haiti, Central America. Summer 2019, she presented at a World Early Childhood Conference in Panama City, Panama. In January 2020, she was invited to be part of a US Panel that were the keynote speakers at the Belize International Symposium in Belize, Central America. 

Professional Research:

Master’s Thesis: An Examination of Training to Enhance Intentional Parental Involvement to increase Kindergarten Readiness Skills. (2009)

PhD Doctoral Research Title: Case Study of Teen Mothers’ Perceptions of Their Influence on Preschoolers’ Language Development. (2016)

Past Speaking Engagements

“Dr. Mom” Mary Duncan Knows the Mom thing! As a mother, student, professor, lecturer, and advisor, Mary has a plethora of tools to help equip Mom’s!” “I love the passion that Mary has for training Mothers and how that passion has driven her to obtain higher education including a doctorate in Education. Mary loves to learn and loves helping others acquire the knowledge and insight that better equip them for Motherhood. Every young Mom I know wants to be a better Moher and they are always looking for ways to improve their skills. Tools for Motherhood / Dr. Mom will be a valuable asset in that development.”
Patty Diliberto
Director of Women’s Ministry, Topeka Bible Church
When parents ask, “What activities can I do at home with my children to promote fun, educational experiences?” This [material] should be placed in their hands! …Through this handbook, Mary acts as a mentor teacher to parents, right in their own home!... …This handbook is an extraordinary tool for parents, experienced teachers, preservice teachers, new teachers, mentor teachers, administrators, staff developers and college professors!!!... …I wish this had been available 20 years ago! With the current emphasis on early childhood education, this handbook is a fabulous tool for parents to use in enriching their child’s literacy and numeracy skills…
Jane Groff
Education Program Consultant State Department of Education
It’s nice to know that it just takes a little bit of one-on-one time with your children to make a big difference. After completing the course, I’m a better mother thanks to the creative ideas and “tools” that I learned and had fun trying.
Libby
mother of two (ages 2 & 1)
Mary enthusiastically and tirelessly uses her God-given gifts and talents whenever the Lord invites or directs her to serve. It’s been my pleasure to observe and encourage her passion for helping mothers teach their children, ever since we first met nearly 2 decades ago!
Jan Williams
Bible Study Leader
As a classroom teacher, Mary Duncan knows the heartache of working with students who ‘would learn if they could’. Entering school ready to absorb and understand can change a student’s life. In You Really Can Make a Difference, Mary provides mothers with practical strategies to ensure their children learn with ease. A winning combination for all - mother, student, and teacher!
Ann Buller, M. Ed.
Lifetime Teacher of Learners of All Ages
Mary has such a heart for children – I took away so much from her program. We learned simple things that are easy to incorporate into our daily routines. It was great!A winning combination for all - mother, student, and teacher!
Kathryn
Mother of one (Child age 3)
Mary Duncan is a breath of fresh air! With amazing energy she shares wonderful ideas and suggestions for preparing our children for school and life. If only these course had been available before I had children! The curriculum ideas are fun and engaging – both my son and daughter have enjoyed our new science projects, math challenges and observing the world around us. The “Tools for Motherhood” [material] hits the mark!
Joanne Morrell
Mother of 2, ages 2 and 4
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