Student Spotlight, Amy Hodel: Promoting Literacy
The OT Student Spotlight is an ongoing series of articles that highlight OT and OTA student success stories as well as the quirks, challenges, and joys that make up student life. Share the great things you and/or your class are up to within the OT community!
Describe a meaningful, OT-related project that you were recently involved in.
Occupational therapy practitioners support the literacy needs of clients related to participation in meaningful occupations, including formal education and leisurely pursuits. However, such opportunities are not financially feasible for all children and families, leading to disparities in reading participation. Through fundraising and community donations, I established the first Little Free Library at a local elementary school in Ashley, Indiana, to address some of the barriers to literacy. This free book-sharing box is open to students and families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing for equitable and accessible opportunities for reading participation in the community.
Describe some lessons learned from the project:
Establishing a free 24/7 book-sharing box provided numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. I learned how to systematically determine the literacy needs of the students and families. The opportunity encouraged the intentional use of evidence-based frameworks to guide the project and support students at a Tier 1 level. Through this experience, I also collaborated with key stakeholders, including school-based professionals such as individuals in leadership roles (i.e., principal), teachers, literacy coordinators, librarians, and school-based occupational therapists.
If you could go back in time as a practicing OT, where and what era would you go to?
I would explore occupational therapists alongside reconstruction aides during World War I, as it was such a pivotal moment for our profession to display how participation in occupations could facilitate recovery from the war.
If you could be any assistive device/ durable medical equipment, what would it be?
I would have to say a reacher. Reachers are functional, versatile, and can adapt to a variety of situations—great traits for an OT!
What advice do you have for students who are just starting their OT program?
My best advice for students starting their OT program is to be intentional in all that you do—study to understand the material; seek opportunities that will support your personal and professional growth, such as organizations and leadership roles; and schedule your time to support occupational balance.
What are your tips for acing an exam?
The first step to acing an exam is establishing good studying habits, including:
- Creating a study schedule and consistently following it.
- Recalling important information through repetition.
- Engaging in multi-modal studying, including reading, writing/drawing, and verbally explaining information.
What is your dream practice area?
My dream practice area is any setting that allows me to serve children and families in their meaningful occupations. I hope to collaborate with other disciplines to be strong advocates for our clients.
Amy Hodel, OTD, OTR/L, a recent graduate from Huntington University, recently accepted a full-time outpatient pediatric position where she can utilize her certification as a Certified Handwriting Specialist through Handwriting Without Tears® to address the foundational skills of literacy required for daily occupations. The meaningful leisure activities she enjoys participating in, outside of trying to navigate life as a new grad occupational therapist, include cross-stitching and scrapbooking.