After working in project management for marketing firms, as the Director of Human Resources for a large retail corporation, and as an independent interior designer, Mira Duncan stepped out of the corporate world when she and her husband decided to start a family. However, Mira soon realized she would need to become expert in her children’s world as she struggled to understand what was different about them. She thought, why are they unable to showcase their talents in traditional schools? She wondered who she should talk to about it. She asked, what is the process? And, she was confused as to why she felt so isolated. Like so many before her, Mira did not know where to start or even what to ask. It took her years to find the right support for her children and in the meantime, she was surprised to learn that many traditional school systems think of the gifted and talented as separate from children who may need scaffolding - the idea that the two can live in one child is mysterious to many.
Mira has a B.A. in History with a focus in education and nearly 15 years experience advocating for her two children. Once she realized her experiences could help others, there was no stopping her and she made the switch to parent mentoring and executive function coaching. She has both personal and professional experience working with local school administration and special education departments, PHP/IOP programs, wilderness/outdoor behavioral therapy programs, and therapeutic school settings.
Mira believes that children do well when they can and she is willing to meet them where they are. She is always celebrating and working from their strengths while digging deep to discover the keys to support any weaknesses. Mira also believes that as parents, we have a responsibility to our children to do the hard work ourselves. We can not ask kids to change, learn, and do better without asking the same of ourselves.
In 2017, Mira earned certification from the Family Institute of Virginia in the The Aponte/Winter Professional Development Program through an intensive nine-month training program for individuals who have already demonstrated professional accomplishment and a capacity to develop high-level skills. There, she studied effective communication and professional efficacy in order to become an effective agent of personal, social, and institutional change.
In 2019, Mira began working with students at a local Partial Hospitalization Program helping children and adolescents organize the school work they were required to complete while they missed school due to being in the program. She focused on assisting with executive function skills utilizing her unique skill set with these struggling students.
Mira has also earned her Professional Life Coach Certificate through the Transformation Academy.
Mira completed the Executive Function Curriculum training through the Rush NeuroBehavioral Center, well known throughout the Chicago area and whose curriculum is used by many school districts nationwide.
And, most recently, Mira completed a Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Training through Lives in the Balance.
Through word of mouth, Mira has helped many parents navigate these worlds. She is passionate about mentoring parents of children who are gifted, have ADHD, ASD, anxiety, slow processing and/or executive function issues and their children. And, she will do the same for you.
You can work one-on-one with Mira through Zoom, Skype, or in person.
To schedule a session, please contact Mira (she/her)
cell: 312.320.9544
email: mduncan@roughdraftsparenting.com
Mira Duncan is a peer collaborator, any discussions with her are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you and Mira Duncan have discussed.