The Teacher, The Classroom, and The Occupational Therapist

An occupational therapist walks into a teacher’s classroom…….Sounds like the beginning of a great story if you ask me!

I’ve been a school-based occupational therapist for over 20 years.

I’ve seen it all, I’ve heard it all, and I’ve done it all, and as teachers know, some of it I wish I hadn’t seen heard, or done.

All of that aside, I have experienced the amazing connection between teacher and occupational therapist and I’m here to talk about the benefits of this relationship.

Top 5 Things to Know About Teachers and Occupational Therapists

1. Occupational therapists are educators too!

We share many similarities with teachers.

From overbooked schedules to finding time to run to the bathroom, our experiences are more similar than most would think.

We work hard to teach our students the skills of life while supporting them in an academic setting.

2. We love your classrooms.

Let me tell you I’ve been in many a dynamic classroom over the years.

Teachers can do some amazing things, and nothing brings more joy to our OT hearts than to see classrooms that have incorporated good practice ideas into it.

Can anyone say flexible seating?

3. We would like to see change too.

We feel the same frustrations you do when talking about the need for change in the system.

We see the same need to move into a new way of thinking to better support students.

4. We are burned out, overworked, and strapped for resources too.

The post-COVID school era has hit us hard too.

We are experiencing the same feelings you as teachers are.

We are tired.

Our schedules are overflowing, and we often don’t have all the resources we need to support our students.

5. We are with you!

Despite the grim news in #4 of my list, we are with you!

We are in this together, and OTs recognize the value, importance, and hard work of teachers.

We are here to support you and support your students.

We understand the ins and outs of schools and although we occasionally may make a suggestion you think is bonkers, our end goal is to help.

How We Can Help Each Other Out

Now that I’ve talked about our relationship, let’s talk about how we can help each other out.

1. Keep collaborating!

It’s important for teachers and OTs to collaborate, from scheduling services to goals, to where services should be delivered, collaboration makes everything easier.

2. We are all in it for the kids.

I’ve seen both teachers and OTs get upset when a suggestion or idea is made.

I guarantee you ideas and suggestions are not given to personally attack anyone.

We are all looking for the same thing, ways to help our students.

Sometimes suggestions (even the ones we know we can’t do) can get the juices flowing or spark other ideas.

3. Plan together.

There’s a lot of overlap between teachers and OTs why not plan together and make things easier?

OTs often have their own schedules as do teachers, but there is often so much overlap.

Are you a kindergarten teacher working on handwriting?

Why not invite the OT into your classroom at that time to see kids who are struggling with handwriting?

4. We need a tribe too.

Working as an OT can be a lonely business, often we are the only OT in the building (sometimes the district!) or we are not in the building full time.

Make sure to reach out to your OT, or stop by and say “hi”.

We enjoy being a part of things too.

I worked in a building only 2 days a week, but the staff ALWAYS invited me to their activities knowing most of the time I wasn’t there.

This small gesture meant a lot to me.

5. Find time to have a little fun.

It’s easy to get caught up in tests, projects, and meetings (oh my!) but don’t forget to have a little fun.

Teachers, OTs, and students all need a bit of fun now and again! 🙂

Let’s Keep Working Together

I have always loved the time I’ve spent in the classroom working with teachers.

I believe we couldn’t do it without each other.

Each discipline offers a unique lens to view students and help them reach their potential.

We have a common mutual interest making it that much easier to work together.

And we’ve all been dealt a very unique hand with COVID ongoing.

Let’s be honest, it’s been pretty hard lately but we’ve had and have each other.

The joy you see on your student’s faces when they accomplish something is the joy we as OTs share in.

There is daily reward and gratification in working with students.

Aren’t we the lucky ones to share such an amazing experience?