EDUCATION

 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Ph.D. in Individualized Interdisciplinary, degree expected December 2025

• Disciplines of Creative Writing, Educational Psychology, Sociology, and Human Development

• Dissertation: Empathetic Educational Environments: Advancing Cultural Sensitivity of Trauma Through Storytelling in the Secondary-level English Classroom

• Committee: Matthew Vollmer, MFA (Chair); Dr. Marcus Johnson (Co-chair); Dr. Katalin Parti; Dr. Kee Jeong Kim

 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Graduate Certificate in Cognition and Education, May 2025

 

Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH

18 graduate credits concentrated on British Lit in English Language/Literature

 

University of Virginia-Wise, Wise, VA

Teaching licensure coursework, 2016

• Concentration: Secondary (Grades 6-12)

 

Hollins University, Roanoke, VA

MA in Children’s Literature, 2014          

• Foreign Language Exam completion: German, July 2011

• Thesis: Storytelling: The Tradition, the Telling, and the Showing

• Committee: Dr. Rhonda Brock-Servais, Renee Englot, and C.W. Sullivan

 

University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

BA in English, 2011

• Senior Thesis: Octavia Butler and African American Dystopian Literature

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS​

​

Narrativity, Trauma-Informed Education, Cognition, Survivor Empowerment, Transformative Storytelling, Narrative Capital, Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth, Student Learning, Conceptual Change, Constructivism, Human Development, Choice-based Narratives, Strategic Communication, Rhetorical Strategies, Literature, Composition, Literary Theory

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles:

 

Rose, M. S., & Johnson, M. (2025). The power of storytelling: Creatively facilitating conceptual change in the classroom. Journal of Educational Research & Practice, 15, 1–18.  https://doi.org/10.5590/JERAP.2025.15.1983.

 

Rose, M. S. & Johnson, M. L. (2025). Polytrauma and Executive Functioning: A Review of Cognitive Protective Mechanisms and Resilience. European Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2025.100503.

 

Books:

 

            Rose, M. S. (2024). Post-Traumatic Poetry. Finishing Line Press.

            Rose, M. (2017). The Most Important Tuesday at Carbuncle Elementary School. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. 

 

Poetry:

 

“Jeanne Rose, grandmother.” Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; May 2025.

“In the New River Valley.” Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; Mary 2025.

“Here, let me explain why I adore flying.” Ink Nest Poetry; April 2025.

“Nightmare.” Hare’s Paw Literary Journal; January 2025

“I Know.” (Editor’s Choice) Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; December 2024

“Alzheimer’s.” Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; December 2024

“His Room.” Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; April 2024

“Nine Lives: A Question.” The Paddock Review; April 2024

“Parada de Autobus.” YARN Literary Magazine; April 2017

“Jiffy Lube.” YARN Literary Magazine; April 2017

 

Art:

 

From Decay. Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; May 2025.

Innocence. Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine; May 2025.

To Begin. Beyond Words Magazine, 2025

Freeze. Beyond Words Magazine, 2025

I.C.U. Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine, December 2024

Nine Lives (Editor’s Choice) Silhouette Literary and Art Magazine, April 2024

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

Assistant Professor of Education (tenure-track), Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Averett University, August 2025 to present

            Courses taught (in-person and virtual modalities):

                        EDU-290         Foundations of Education

                        EDU-322         Educational Psychology

                        EDU-484         Directed Teaching (Sp.Ed.)   

                        EDU-488         Directed Teaching (PreK-6)

                        EDU-489         Directed Teaching (6-12)

 

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Education and Leadership, Shenandoah University, January 2023 to August 2025

Courses taught (in-person and virtual modalities):

EDU-503         Special Topic in Education: Motivation

EDU-503         Special Topic in Education: Trauma-Informed Practices & Theories

 

Guest Lecturer, “Identity: Power, not Victimization,” Women and Gender Studies course: Creativity, Conflict, and Politics, Virginia Tech, February 2025

For a class of 15 undergraduates, I framed personal utilization of creativity as a way to explore gender-based violence and emphasized "power" over "victimization” through re-authoring dominant narratives.

 

Guest Lecturer, “The Art and Science of Storytelling,” First Year Seminar: All the World's A Stage: How the Arts Connect Us, Shenandoah University, October 2024

For a class of 22 undergraduates, I provided unique material on storytelling and its role in society. Engaged students in discussions of how artistic expression can lead to destigmatizing hard, complex topics, such as trauma and mental health.

 

Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Shenandoah University, January 2022 to August 2025

Courses taught (in-person and virtual modalities):

MCOM-150    The Principles of Public Speaking

ENG-101         English Composition

ENG-302         Writing for Health Professions (Narrative Based Medicine)

•           Integral player in creation of the Strategic Narrative Communication MA, 2023

 

English Teacher, John Handley High School, August 2016-August 2023

Classes taught:

Transitional English Learners English 1

English 1                                                                                                      

Honors English 1

English 2

AP Language and Composition (dual enrolled: Laurel Ridge Community College)

AP Literature and Composition (dual enrolled: Laurel Ridge Community College)

Forensics Speech

Debate

• Designed administrator-approved 11th grade English class: “Addressing Social Issues in Young Adult Literature.”

• Directed annual school-wide Poetry Out Loud competition, 2016-2023

• Taught recovery English credit during ASPIRE summer school, 2019

• Hand-selected to teach Project Based Learning English courses at inaugural Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center, 2021-2023

• Organized community event for students to present original oratories and communicate important issues of their generation, 2022, 2023

 

Prekindergarten Teaching Assistant, Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School, August 2012-August 2016

Created and applied inventive approaches, such as storytelling, to learning during instruction. Administrators’ evaluation of creative methods was enthusiastic and extremely supportive.

           

Lead Teacher and Prekindergarten Instructor, The Tot Spot, July 2011-August 2012

Supervised all daycare and prekindergarten school employees. Facilitated instructional development that emphasized child agency and choice. Independently handled all managerial duties, including kitchen menus, incoming child enrollment, and end-of-year graduation.

 

Substitute Teacher, Fredericksburg City Public Schools, August 2010-June 2011

Mainly substituted in prekindergarten and elementary school classrooms. Followed lesson plans and performed all necessary duties.

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

 

2025, Sept.      Reviewer, Journal of Trauma Studies in Education

2025-2026       Division K Community Building Committee, American Education Research Association

2025-2026       Tutor, CollegeApp essays preparation for individual submissions, Winchester, VA

2025, July       Content Evaluator, Miller et al. Quality of Life in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Role of Posttraumatic Anhedonia and Depressive Symptoms in a Treatment-Seeking Community Sample. Trauma Care.

2025, May       Advanced Placement Testing Proctor, John Handley High School, Winchester, VA

2025, April     Moderator/Breakout Session Facilitator, Understanding the Longevity, Historical, and Intergenerational Nature of Traumas, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

2024-2025       President, Iota Delta Rho Interdisciplinary Honor Society at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

• Coordinated weekly “Community Coffee” event to establish a safe space for undergraduate and graduate members

• Organized “Practice Lightning Talks” for undergraduate and graduate members in need of preparation in public speaking

2024-2025       Division K Campus Liaison, American Educational Research Association

• Co-planned Wellness Event and individually facilitated “Storying: Re-authoring Dominant Narratives” workshop

2014, Oct.       Moderator, Writing, Reading, Teaching, and Studying Children’s Literature, Virginia Children’s Book Festival, Longwood University, VA

 

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

           

2025                Certification in Narrative Therapy, Virtued Academy International

2024                Trauma-Informed Certification Level 1, Attachment Trauma Network

2017                Post-graduate Virginia Teaching License in Secondary Education

• Endorsement: English

• License Number: PGP-0676503

• Renewal Date: June 30, 2032

 

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

 

2025                Honoree, AERA Division K Recognition of Dedication as a Campus Liaison

2025                Fellow, Summer Cunningham Fellowship presented by Virginia Tech

2025                Inductee, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Virginia Tech

2025                Finalist, Shenandoah Arts Council ArtScape 16 contest

2024                Graduate writer semi-finalist, Virginia Tech’s Glossolalia Literary Festival

2023                Inductee, Iota Delta Rho Interdisciplinary Honor Society, Virginia Tech

2023                Finalist, Shenandoah Arts Council ArtScape 14 contest

2023                Honoree, “Favorite Teacher” in Winchester Public Schools’ Athlete Spotlight

2022                Recipient, John Handley High School’s Recognition of Teaching Dedication

2022                Recipient, Winchester Public Schools’ “Ms. Handley” Faculty Homecoming Queen

2021                Honoree, “Favorite Teacher” in Winchester Public Schools’ Athlete Spotlight

2020                Recipient, Winchester Public Schools’ Secondary Shout-out for “Framing the Learning”

2019                Honoree, Student’s 1st place Storytelling performance of Mackenzie Rose’s The Most Important Tuesday at Carbuncle Elementary School at VHSL’s State Championship

2019                Grantee, Winchester Education Foundation scholarship

2017-2023       Recipient, Winchester Public Schools’ Golden Gavel: Excellence in Teaching

2017                Nominee, Pushcart Prize (in poetry)

2015                Runner-up, Virginia State Liar’s Contest

2011-2013       Graduate writer semi-finalist, Hollins University’s Francelia Butler Conference

 

REFEREED CONFERENCE PAPERS

 

Rose, M.S. (2025, September). Empathetic Educational Environments: Advancing Cultural Sensitivity through Storytelling in the Secondary-Level English Classroom. Virginia Education Research Association Research Conference; Richmond, VA.

• Finalist for Brenda Loyd Outstanding Dissertation Award

Rose, M. S. (2025, March). Second-person Perspective in Narrative Therapy: An Action Research Study of Therapeutic and Agentic Outcomes. Graduate & Professional Student Senate Research Symposium. Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, VA.

• Awarded 3rd Place in Social Impact & Sustainability Symposium Presentations

Rose, M. S. (2025, March). Who Am I? Trauma Survivors’ Understanding of Self Through Agentic Narrative. Virginia Ryan White Case Management Summit, Roanoke, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2024, November). Constructing a Response to Crisis: Storytelling as a Tool for Understanding Humanness. Creative Writing Studies Organization Conference, Blacksburg, VA.

Rose, M. S. (2023, February). The Story of the Future: Destigmatizing Trauma with Empathetic Educational Environments. Hollins University’s Leading Equity, Diversity, and Justice Conference, Roanoke, VA.

Rose, M. S. (2023, March). Mending with Monsters. College English Association, San Antonio, TX.

Rose, M.S. (2022, October) Frankenstein and His Monster: The Hero’s Journey. Shenandoah University’s Young Writers’ Symposium, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2015, July). Oral Legacy: The Tradition of The Jack Tales and Other Culturally Pivotal Folktales. Shenandoah University’s Children’s Literature Conference, Winc.,VA.

Rose, M. S. (2015, March). Literacy Enhanced by Storytelling: Moving into the Imagination. Virginia State Reading Association Conference, Richmond, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2014, October). Student Empowerment through Storytelling. Virginia Children’s Book Festival, Longwood University; Farmville, VA.

 

INVITED TALKS & PRESENTATIONS

 

Rose, M.S. (2025, January). Storytelling: The Art of Healing. SARA Roanoke (Sexual Assault Response and Awareness), Hollins University; Roanoke, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2024, December). Storytelling: The Art of Healing. Virginia Tech, Women’s Center, Blacksburg, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2024, November). The Other Side: Expressions of a Trauma Survivor. Art on First, Roanoke, VA.

• Through this event, over one hundred dollars was raised for Virginia Tech’s Women’s Center’s CARE program which provides direct relief for IPV survivors.

Rose, M.S. (2024, October). Author Event: Post-traumatic Poetry. The Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2023, October). Storytelling in Higher Education (at Shenandoah University). 1455 Literary Arts’ StoryFest Live, Purcellville, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2022, October). Post-Traumatic Poetry. The Laurel Center’s Annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2019, April) Even in the Dark, There is Light. Winchester Public Schools’ National Honor  Society Induction Ceremony, Winchester, VA

Rose, M.S. (2014, June). Deconstructed Fairy Tales: The Princess Saves the Day. Shenandoah University’s Children’s Literature Conference, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2014, April). Moving beyond Storytelling: Story-showing. Virginia Storytelling Alliance Spring Gathering Showcase, Culpepper, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2014, October) Supporting Students’ Understanding of Performance Categories. Virginia Association of Speech, Debate, and Drama Coaches Conference, Chester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2013, July). Deconstructed Fairy Tales: The Ugly Duckling. Hollins University’s Francelia Butler Conference, Roanoke, VA

Rose, M.S. (2013, June). The Power of “No”: A Character’s Journey. Shenandoah University’s Children’s Literature Conference, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2012, June). Exploring Students’ Connections to Stories. Shenandoah University’s Children’s Literature Conference, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2012, December) What Makes a Good Story? Examining How Storytelling Supports Students’ Literacy. Apple Valley Reading Council Conference, Winchester, VA.

Rose, M.S. (2006-2016, March). Original Storytelling. Annual Read Across America Book Blast, Winchester, VA.

 

MEDIA APPEARANCES

 

Coleman, A. (2024, October). Words that Heal: Mackenzie Rose’s Poetic Journey After a Brutal Attack. WSLS 10, Roanoke, VA. Retrieved from: https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2024/10/16/words-that-heal-mackenzie-roses-poetic-journey-after-a-brutal-attack/.

 

Bartlett, K. (2024, July). Domestic abuse survivor finds her voice through poetry [Interview with Mackenzie Rose]. Virginia Tech News, Blacksburg, VA. Retrieved from: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/07/clahs-mackenzie-rose.html.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Workshop Facilitator, Who Am I? Trauma Survivors’ Understanding of Self Through Self Expression and Storytelling, SARA Roanoke (Sexual Assault Response and Awareness), January 2025.

Instruction and engagement with Hollins University’s J-Term interns on a trauma-informed approach to expressing resilience through narrative and art in preparation of interns’ future work with sexual assault survivors.

 

Workshop Facilitator, Healing Arts, Art on First, November 2024

Through writing, collaging, and various artistic modes, self-identified domestic violence survivors created pictures of personal resilience. At the end of the workshop, participants came together for a presentation to share their story of resilience and connect through the power of storytelling.

 

Forensics Speech Head Coach, John Handley High School, August 2017-June 2022

Coached individual performers to district, regional, state, and national level success.

• The team earned membership in the National Speech & Debate Association’s 100 Club for achieving 100+ competitive and service points per year: 2019, 2020, 2022

 

Storyteller and Speaker, Toogy Tales, August 2007-August 2017

Developed and performed original stories for people of all ages with the main objective to improve children’s connection to literacy. Consistently presented at state-wide conferences and events, speaking to primary and secondary level educators, librarians, and administrators.

• Audiobook narrator: It All Started with a Bicycle by Plum McCauley, July 2015

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 

International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology, 2025-present

Appalachian Studies Association, 2025-present

Virginia Educational Research Association, 2025-present

Creative Writing Studies Organization, 2024-2025

American Educational Research Association, 2024-present

American Psychological Association, 2024-present

College English Association, 2022-present

National Storytelling Network, 2012-2017