Dr. Robin Kearney-Frazier, Ed.D
Professional and Educational Portfolio
Nom de Plume: Rashanna Till
Welcome to the life of me. It is chaotic, uplifting, punderful, and down right amazing. Join me in my journey of life through blogs, social media encounters, and articles. Share in my accomplishments of education, regaining me after an auto-accident and rare diseases diagnosis changed the course of my life forever. Be entertained and know that you are not alone in your journey of life.
I was born in Sioux Falls, SD and had many travels before calling Texas my home in 1995. I have two amazing young men that I am proud to call my sons, a daughter-in-law who is amazing, and three terrific step-children that I am honored to be a part of their life. We currently have a small farm of animals consisting of dogs, cats, and chickens.
Growing up I was placed in Unique Learning Experiences (URL Program for the gifted) which allowed me to fast-track much of my education and to graduate with college credits. Having not felt my life was busy enough with school and working at Mc Donald's, I added in "old-school" distance learning to begin the journey of being an ordained minister.
After nearly twenty years of serving my community in law enforcement, I switched gears back to minister work and retail (to pay the bills) along with returning to school to finish a Master's of Business Management and Marketing, followed by the pursuit of a Master's in Adult Education, and crazy enough to then pursue a Doctorate Degree in Adult Education Curriculum Theory and Design with an emphasis on Distance Learning. These were in addition to several degrees I obtained while working in law enforcement that were both accredited and non-accredited. Where is all of this leading to? The dream and promise of Guilds of Requiem, a nonprofit private foundation that focuses on intentional communities, specialized educational opportunities, and unique community events.
Education has been a part of my life since I can remember, as far back to standing on a step stool, barely tall enough to see in the mixing bowl and helping Grandma make cookies. It was highly focused and praise worthy in my family as well, also known as the "easy way" to be told how wonderful of a child you were. For me, it was easy. I loved to learn! Any chance I had to learn a new skill or add one more notch in my education belt I took it! As I got older, this translated into earning multiple degrees that ranged from Theological and Philosophical to Forensic Science and Chemistry.
As life lessons happened, in 2015, I found myself back in school working on a Master's in Education that quickly lead to a Doctorate in Adult Education Curriculum and Design with an Emphasis on Distance Learning. 2016 saw an MVC, Motor vs Cow, accident that was life changing in itself in terms of mobility, followed by a TBI (2018) after a sudden, and unplanned, dismounting of a ladder 6' up, which started a seizure nightmare that has taken four neurologists and five years to gain a better understanding and finally having a working treatment plan. When late 2019 hit, the realization the I might never be able to return to work, let alone finish my final four classes weighed heavily on me. An extended battle with an "unknown virus" left me unable to work and seeing the re-emergence of previous medical conditions once thought to be "under control." On the advice of one of my professors realizing I was just a few classes shy of the graduation requirements, nudging from my final employer that was cheered on by family and friends, I submitted everything I had accomplished along with a portfolio of what I had accomplished with running my own World's Religions Education Organization and being the curriculum developer for the organization I taught physical and virtual GED classes at. To my surprise, I received a diploma in the mail conferring the title of "Doctor of Education" to add to my sizeable degree collection.
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Being an Adult Educator has been one of the most fantastic careers I have had to date. Watching students meet their goals, whether it is their High School Equivalence Diploma, walking that stage with the Bachelor's Degree, or when you can see that "ah ha!" moment in the comprehension of a skill has made fighting each day to be better a worthy goal. Guilds of Requiem, Inc. helps me in knowing that their are others out there like me: too disabled to work, but not disabled enough to not work find new meaning and purpose while illustrating that employers can make reasonable accommodations to employees with limitations by understanding their disabilities without "dising" the abilities they do posses.
Service Dogs have been a part of my life for several years now. It shouldn't come as a surprise that a project geared towards the service dog community was near the top of the list when we first formed Guilds of Requiem, Inc. The value that they can add to a person with a disability's life has no real measure. They add freedom, safety, new abilities, and a constant companion to their handler. In the past ten years, I have made it my goal to know service dog laws in the United States, to the best of my abilities, and to network with others who also advocate for Service Dog Rights and Handler's Responsibilities.
From there, I have a really diverse listing of interests. I spent nearly 40 years making soaps and personal care products (Sixth Sense Apothecary officially formed October 1st, of 1992), gardening, drafting, arts and crafts, anything science and science fiction related, cosplaying, historical accurate clothing and the fun in re-enacting life from a different era of grace and beauty standards, and so much more that it is challenging to list everything. My days currently consist of reclaiming the former physical self of me prior to the auto accident, advocating for myself and others in the disability community, motivational speaking for those with Rare Diseases, my pack of pooches, and just trying to stay mentally active when the physical me can't.
