2025 SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Jennifer Brady-Johnson is a school based occupational therapy practitioner that currently works in a suburban school district. In her work, she enjoys collaborating with other disciplines, developing relationships with students and staff, and co-teaching in classrooms. My vision for our work in schools is to encourage students to engage and participate in occupations they discover and find meaningful, which are lifelong needs. There are no financial relationships with materials or products in the session. 

Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L is a neurodivergent and disabled occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) with extensive experience in pediatric outpatient, inpatient, and school-based settings. Bryden earned his post-professional doctorate from Boston University, where his research focused on creating a toolkit to support OTPs in challenging ableism within the OT profession. This work led to the development of the first neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy model, the EMPOWER model. Bryden is also the creator of Neurodivergent Nexus, an online resource hub that supports practitioners in challenging ableism throughout the OT process. He received the 2024 Emerging Leader Award from Boston University, and will publish a book on this work in March 2026, titled "Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy: Empowering Approaches to Foster Neurodivergent Participation."  

Dr. Michelle Fyle is an occupational therapist for infants and toddlers in Early Childhood Education. Her professional career spans 20 years in an educational setting, focused primarily on home visiting and coaching parents. She earned her Bachelor degree in Natural Science from St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN and her Masters of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Doctorate from St. Catherine University. Michelle also has her certification in Circle of Security and in an internal coach for evidenced-based practice in Early Intervention. Michelle is a native of Minnesota and grew up in the Twin Cities. During her free time, she enjoys time with her two children, 9-pound chihuahua mix, traveling, and Jazzercise. 

Sarah S. Greene, OTD, OTR/L has been a practicing occupational therapist for over 23 years, focusing on pediatrics, namely in school-based practice. She recognized a shift in the foundational needs of students in reaching their full potential and the impact that programming could make on not only their academic success, but their success beyond. She has recently shifted to academia, where she continues to focus on the mental health and well-being of students across the education spectrum. 

Kelsey Gustner, PT, DPT, is the Rehabilitation Clinical Supervisor for the Gait and Serial Casting programs at Children's Minnesota. She is dedicated to optimizing children's mobility during their developmental years and supporting the longevity of their movement abilities into adulthood. In 2022, Kelsey co-founded the Children's Minnesota Physical Therapy Intensive/Universal Exercise Unit Program, to offer an impactful, alternate delivery of physical therapy for pediatric patients. Kelsey earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN, in 2013. 

Laura Kleffman is a school-based therapist who has worked in (urban, suburban, and rural cooperative) for 20 years, the evolution of school-based therapy transitioned from pull-out 1:1 to push in 1:1 or classroom/environmental consultation.  Living through this transition made me a more responsive therapist to the immediate and daily routines of the students and staff.   In 2020, I transitioned into the “indirect” work I did as a school therapist to our adult populations in the community.  I found myself desiring a tool that could support visual schedules in less time than the traditional “homemade” hook and loop closure schedule. I am a co-owner of EZ Slide Visual Schedule and  I choose to educate about visual schedules to highlight the importance of using them as a simple yet profound supportive tool regardless of the type of visual schedule needed, made or purchased. 

Dawn Paulson, MS, MFT, MS, OTR/L With over 25 years of experience as an occupational therapist and now practicing as a marriage and family therapist, Dawn is passionate about integrating trauma-sensitive approaches to support children, families, and communities. As co-creator of 1-2-3 RESETTM, she blends her expertise in sensory regulation, movement, and systemic therapy to foster resilience and connection. Dawn can be contacted at dawn@1-2-3reset.com. Learn more about 1-2-3 RESET™ at www.1-2-3reset.com. 

Becky Rouse started working as a Physical Therapist in 2014 after earning her bachelors in Exercise & Sport Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from St. Catherine University. While working at Shriners Children’s she has developed a passion for working with patients with scoliosis and other spine disorders. Becky assisted with establishing the Scoliosis Specific Exercise (SSE) program at Shriners, which uses a 3D treatment approach to address adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In addition to treating the spine, Becky also has a passion for working with patients with prostheses and athletes of all ages and abilities. She is very driven to help kids return to their chosen sport or activity following surgeries or injuries so that kids can engage in any activity that they have a passion for. 

Todd A. Savage, Ph.D., NCSP is a professor in the school psychology program at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF); he is also a former president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Dr. Savage’s scholarly research interests include LGBTQ+ issues in education with an emphasis in gender diversity; social justice matters; suicide prevention; school-based behavior threat assessment and management; trauma-informed and responsive schools; and school safety and crisis prevention, preparedness, and intervention. Dr. Savage can be contacted at todd.savage@uwrf.edu. 

Ashley Schilling received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Iowa State University in 2005 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008. She is currently an assistant professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is the department’s pediatric content lead and has been an ABPTS certified pediatric clinical specialist since 2011. Dr. Schilling’s interest areas include assessments and interventions for postural control development, promoting global development in young infants at high risk for and with motor delay and the use of adaptive equipment to support a wide range of outcomes for children with disabilities. She currently serves as Amtryke Education Director for the National AMBUCS organization. She has two human children, Graham, 12, and Isla, 9, and one canine child, Sandy, 3. Her husband, Kyle, is a mechanical engineer and is frequently “voluntold” to assist in her work of adapting “all the things” for her patients. 

Heather Schmidt, MS, OTR/L, is an enthusiastic advocate for occupational therapy with over 20 years of experience in clinical and school settings. Founder of Integrative Therapy, she leads a dynamic team providing high-quality OT services to over 40 Minnesota schools. She specializes in supporting charter schools and employing a holistic, trauma-responsive approach. Heather is the co-creator of 1-2-3 RESET™ and co-author of the guidebook 1-2-3 RESET™: A Trauma-Sensitive Guide to Behavioral Intervention. The privilege of teaching at national conferences and local school districts about the role of OT in school-based practice, self-regulation, sensory processing, and trauma-sensitive practice has been a passion of hers. Heather can be contacted at heather@1-2-3reset.com.
Learn more about 1-2-3 RESET™ at www.1-2-3reset.com. 

Britta Schwartzhoff, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS, earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. She is a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional and Seating and Mobility Specialist. Throughout her career, Britta has worked as a physical therapist and clinical educator across various settings, specializing in complex rehab needs for adults with childhood-onset diagnoses.  Passionate about promoting independence, function, and health optimization across the lifespan, Britta has developed content for many different professionals within the healthcare system and has shared her passion and expertise at many PT/OT programs as well as regional, national, and international conferences. 

Megan Shepherd is a Texas native who graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston with a Masters of Physical Therapy in 2003.  Prior to joining St. Paul Public Schools in 2021, she provided inpatient and outpatient services at Children’s MN St. Paul and Woodbury locations, with focus on serial casting, toe walking and orthotics research, cancer rehab and torticollis.  She now has her dream job at Bridge View School, a federal level IV setting, also providing services in the online elementary and homebound programs.  Megan lives in St. Paul with her partner, Brent, her daughter, Evie, and a goldendoodle named Tennis (who goes by Tennis Aloysius when he’s naughty).  

 Erin Simunds is an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Concordia University – St. Paul, where she teaches ethics and professional issues. She possesses an extensive background (> 40 years) in providing physical therapy for children and adults with disabilities across various service settings. In addition to her clinical experience, Erin provided claims consultation for the insurance industry regarding reimbursement of therapy services and durable medical equipment coverage. Her research interests focus on understanding physical therapy educators’ experiences in teaching ethics. Erin has been an active American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member since she graduated in l981. She held several leadership positions for APTA Pediatrics and APTA Minnesota and is currently the State Pediatric Advocacy Liaison. 

Jaime Spencer, an occupational therapist with degrees from Utica College and Adelphi University, has spent twenty-four years as a pediatric OT on Long Island working with K-12 students in public schools and preschoolers in a sensory gym. As a national presenter and AOTA Continuing Education Provider, Spencer shares her expertise widely in the field. She founded "USA School-based OTs Looking for Change," leading advocacy efforts for improved working conditions and fair treatment of school occupational therapy practitioners in New York. Spencer runs the website MissJaimeOT.com, where she shares her professional insights and resources. 

Paula M. Stommes is a pediatric occupational therapist working in both a school and outpatient setting. In these settings, Paula works with students, families and professionals from other disciplines. Her goals are to provide guidance and direction for students to find meaning in all environments. There are no financial relationships with materials or products in this session. 

Scott A. Woitaszewski, Ph.D., NCSP is the director of the School Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP); he also serves as the chair of the Department of Counseling and School Psychology. His scholarly interests include the study of school safety and crisis intervention; suicide prevention, school-based behavior threat assessment and management; trauma-informed and responsive schools; emotional and behavioral interventions in schools; and resilience in children and families. Dr. Woitaszewski can be contacted at scott.woitaszewski@uwrf.edu.