The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners

Jayson Davies
  • 4.9 (191)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Jayson Davies, OTR/L, from OTSchoolhouse.com dives into the areas of school-based Occupational Therapy most frequently discussed by therapists. Join Jayson and special guests in exploring new practice strategies and earn professional development for certification renewal.

  1. Supporting Teachers First and How Coaching Creates Lasting Impact for Students

    FEB 9

    Supporting Teachers First and How Coaching Creates Lasting Impact for Students

    Supporting teachers can be one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change for students—but it requires a shift in how we view our role as school-based OTs. In this episode, Dr. Ellen Cullen shares her groundbreaking doctoral capstone work on occupation-based coaching, where she treated teachers as clients and used MOHO to support their self-efficacy and align their practices with their professional values. Ellen reveals how experienced teachers often don't lack competence—they lack alignment between what they value and what the system demands of them. By becoming co-designers rather than experts, OTs can empower teachers to reclaim their autonomy, reduce burnout, and implement sustainable strategies that truly benefit students. Whether you're struggling to make time for consultation or wondering how to make your impact last beyond the therapy session, this episode offers practical, immediately actionable strategies. Listen now to discover how supporting teachers isn't just good practice—it's essential to creating meaningful change for the students we serve. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Learners will understand the power dynamics in classroom consultation and how to approach teachers as occupational beings Learners will identify how to apply occupation-based coaching models (using frameworks like MOHO and IRM) to support teacher self-efficacy Learners will understand practical strategies for integrating teacher support into existing service delivery models Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    1h 10m
  2. How the C-SEA Can Help You Transform Classroom Environments

    JAN 26

    How the C-SEA Can Help You Transform Classroom Environments

    Walking into a classroom filled with visual clutter, constant noise, and lingering smells from an air fryer might leave you wondering how any student can focus—let alone those with sensory processing challenges. In this episode, Dr. Heather Kuhaneck joins school-based OT practitioners Linda Kinkade and Dana Hawkins to introduce the Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-SEA), a tool designed to help teachers assess and modify their classroom environments to better support students with sensory needs. Unlike traditional assessments that focus on individual students, the C-SEA evaluates the entire classroom across five sensory domains: visual, sound, movement, touch, and smell. Dr. Kuhaneck explains how the tool provides teachers with a visual map of their classroom's sensory profile—without labeling it as "good" or "bad"—making it easier to gain buy-in for meaningful changes. Linda and Dana share real-world examples of how they've used the C-SEA to uncover hidden sensory triggers, like the surprising impact of an air fryer on student behavior. Whether you're struggling to help teachers understand sensory processing or looking for a collaborative approach to classroom modifications, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement immediately. Tune in to discover how the C-SEA can transform your practice and create more sensory-friendly learning environments for all students. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Identify the purpose of the Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-SEA) and describe how it differs from student-centered sensory assessments such as the SPM-2 or Sensory Profile. Identify the five sensory domains addressed within the C-SEA and describe common classroom-based sensory considerations. Describe how the C-SEA can be used to support conversations with teachers about sensory-friendly classroom environments. Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    1h 9m
  3. Applying your Sensory Knowledge to MTSS Tiers 1 & 2

    JAN 12

    Applying your Sensory Knowledge to MTSS Tiers 1 & 2

    Dr. Aimee Piller joins the OT Schoolhouse Podcast to explore how school-based occupational therapists can apply their sensory expertise within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).  She shares practical strategies for moving beyond traditional IEP-based services to support entire classrooms at Tier 1 and small groups at Tier 2, helping OT practitioners maximize their impact while managing their caseloads more effectively. Learning Objectives Identify the three tiers of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) and how occupational therapy services can be effectively integrated at each tier to support students with sensory processing needsDescribe assessment strategies for evaluating sensory processing patterns at population, group, and individual levels within the MTSS frameworkImplement evidence-based sensory interventions at Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels, including strategies for training paraprofessionals and monitoring progress through data collectionWhether you're new to school-based practice or looking to expand your service delivery model, this episode offers actionable insights on implementing tiered sensory interventions. Listen now to discover how you can support more students while staying within your professional scope and managing your time effectively. Click here to view the full show notes for episode 192 Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    1h 6m
  4. Turning Grant Funding Into Mental Health Advocacy in Schools

    12/15/2025

    Turning Grant Funding Into Mental Health Advocacy in Schools

    In this Episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, Jayson Davies welcomes Dr. Jaime Hunter and Dr. Kaisa Syväoja from The College of St. Scholastica to discuss how OT practitioners can utilize grants to advocate for mental health services in schools. Learn how grants can expand your OT practice beyond traditional tier three services, whether you're looking to fund a sensory room, provide professional development, or implement a school-wide mental health initiative. This conversation demystifies the grant-writing process, offers practical tips for finding and applying for grants at the federal, state, and local levels, and highlights the power of collaboration to sustain impact beyond the grant period—making this a must-listen for OTs ready to expand their role and amplify OT’s value in schools. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Learners will identify how to apply for grants (both small and large) to expand mental health services and other OT initiatives within school settings.Learners will understand how to effectively advocate for occupational therapy's role in supporting mental health at all tiers (especially tiers 1 and 2) within school-based practice.Learners will develop strategies for creating sustainable partnerships and programs that can continue beyond initial grant funding by demonstrating OT's value to school administrators and staff. Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    55 min
  5. From Behavior to Regulation: How the Good Sense Rocketship Framework Transforms OT Practice

    12/01/2025

    From Behavior to Regulation: How the Good Sense Rocketship Framework Transforms OT Practice

    Get ready to blast off into a powerful new way of understanding sensory processing in schools. In this episode, Danielle Pluth and Ruth Isaac—Canadian occupational therapists and creators of the Good Sense OT Rocket Ship—share the innovative visual framework that’s transforming how OTs assess, communicate, and support student participation. The Rocket Ship helps therapists differentiate sensory-based behaviors from other performance factors, guiding you from foundational sensory regulation all the way up through sensory-motor, reflexes, perceptual motor skills, interoception, and cognitive functions at the top of the “rocket.” This structure gives OTPs a clear map for identifying root causes of behavior and choosing targeted, meaningful school-based strategies that go far beyond “wiggle cushions and chewelry.” Whether you’re brand-new to sensory integration or have years of experience, this conversation will deepen your clinical reasoning, strengthen your confidence, and help you clearly communicate sensory needs to teachers, parents, and IEP teams. If you’ve been searching for a practical, visually powerful way to explain sensory processing to your teams and build stronger intervention plans, the Good Sense Rocket Ship may be exactly what you’ve been missing. Learning Objectives: Understand the Good Sense Rocketship Framework and its application in addressing sensory-related behaviors in school-based OT practice.Learn strategies to identify and assess sensory processing challenges and their impact on students' functional performance.Explore effective interventions to support regulation, sensory-motor development, and collaboration with educators and parents. Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    55 min
  6. How switching to a workload model can transform your school-based OT practice

    11/17/2025

    How switching to a workload model can transform your school-based OT practice

    Dive into groundbreaking research on the transition from caseload to workload models in school-based OT with Stanbridge University MOT students Jalen, Michelle, Jared, and Ari. Their nationwide survey revealed striking results: practitioners using a workload model reported significantly lower burnout scores compared to those using a caseload model and majority strongly agreeing that the workload approach reduces stress levels. The students' research identified key barriers to making this transition—primarily lack of administrative support and scheduling conflicts—while highlighting successful facilitators including peer support and improved collaboration with teachers. Their findings emphasize the importance of data collection for advocacy, suggesting that tracking time spent on indirect services provides compelling evidence when approaching administrators about workload changes. This episode offers practical insights for school-based OTs feeling overwhelmed, with recommendations to start small by tracking weekly time usage and increasing teacher collaboration. Listen now to discover how transitioning to a workload model can transform your practice, reducing burnout while improving service quality and student outcomes. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Listeners will compare the impact of caseload versus workload models on therapist burnout, stress levels, and job satisfaction. Listeners will identify key barriers and facilitators to transitioning from a caseload to workload approach. Listeners will identify practical strategies for initiating a workload approach. Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    51 min
  7. Everyday Ethics in School-Based OT"

    11/03/2025

    Everyday Ethics in School-Based OT"

    Everyday Ethics in School-Based OT: Navigating Challenges with Clarity & Confidence equips school-based occupational therapists with the tools to confidently address real-world ethical dilemmas that arise in educational settings. Through case studies, decision-making frameworks, and updated guidance from AOTA, FOTA, and state-level regulations, participants will strengthen their ability to apply ethical principles to complex situations involving service delivery, documentation, advocacy, and the use of emerging tools like AI. This course enhances professional judgment, reduces uncertainty when facing ethical pressures, and promotes alignment with best practices and legal requirements. Ultimately, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to advocate for ethical change within their districts while maintaining student-centered, legally compliant, and neurodiversity-affirming care. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Learners will identify and describe modern ethical dilemmas within the school setting.Learners will apply ethical decision-making frameworks within the school-based setting case study.Learners will identify strategies for ethical advocacy and communication within the school setting. Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    49 min
  8. Realistic Strategies to Build Work Skills for High School and Transition-Aged Students

    10/20/2025

    Realistic Strategies to Build Work Skills for High School and Transition-Aged Students

    Matthew Husband, OTD, OTR/L shares his innovative "Get to Work" program, an after-school initiative providing realistic work experiences for high school students who could succeed in employment with the right supports. The program follows a monthly pattern with on-campus training focused on hard and soft skills, followed by community-based experiences at actual workplaces including pizzerias, box stores, grocery stores, and laundry facilities. Matthew discusses how occupational therapists can support transition planning through self-determination skills training and standardized resource guides for students and families. He emphasizes the importance of starting small with on-campus work opportunities if off-campus trips aren't feasible, including mail room tasks, cafeteria work, recycling programs, and classroom helper roles. Whether you work in a private or public school setting, this episode offers practical strategies to prepare students for life after graduation through building confidence in their employment abilities. Listen to discover how Matthew's "four pots garden" analogy demonstrates how small projects can grow with proven success and learn actionable ways to incorporate employment readiness skills into your school-based OT practice. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Learners will identify how to implement strategies for developing realistic work experiences (off-campus partnerships or on-campus tasks) and how these experiences contribute to authentic work readiness.Learners will recall the content and purpose of a standardized transition resource guide, including tailoring content to local resources and explaining its role in family engagement.Learners will explain how self-determination training helps students identify their preferences, strengths, and weaknesses, and how to write and track SMART goals to support employment outcomes after graduation. Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com See you in the next episode!

    1h 3m
See All (196)

4.9
out of 5
191 Ratings

About

Jayson Davies, OTR/L, from OTSchoolhouse.com dives into the areas of school-based Occupational Therapy most frequently discussed by therapists. Join Jayson and special guests in exploring new practice strategies and earn professional development for certification renewal.

Information

You Might Also Like