Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ Occupational Therapy (OT) team is making an impact far beyond district classrooms. This September, four MSCS therapists: Dr. Emily Smith, Mrs. Michelle Graham, Mrs. Carolynn Farley, and Ms. Tiffany Smith were selected to present at the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA) conference, where they shared how MSCS is leading the way in school-based OT best practices.
Their session, “Beyond Limits: Expanding OT’s Reach and Impact,” explored the evolution of occupational therapy in schools and emphasized the importance of supporting students in real environments rather than in isolated therapy rooms. The team discussed how MSCS therapists work in classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, and even community job sites to ensure students can participate fully in school life.
“Too often, people assume occupational therapy in schools is only about handwriting or fine motor skills,” said Dr. Smith. “In reality, we support the whole child: self-care, social-emotional learning, sensory processing, executive functioning, and even job readiness for older students.”
MSCS has been shifting toward a contextual-based model since 2017, embedding OT support directly into the school day. This approach not only benefits individual students but also gives teachers and entire classrooms the tools and strategies for success. “Other districts are often surprised by how far MSCS has come,” said Mrs. Graham. “We’ve built resources, trained staff, and worked side by side with teachers. It’s exciting to share that with colleagues from across the state.”
Mrs. Farley added that for her, the work always comes down to participation. “Whether it’s helping a kindergartner string beads in class or supporting a high schooler filling out a job application, our role is to make sure every student can access and succeed in school life.”
The opportunity to present at TNOTA also gave the team a chance to learn from others and strengthen professional connections. Dr. Smith said, “Representing MSCS’s OT department at the TNOTA conference was a positive experience. Our presentation team had valuable discussions on school-based best practice with other OTs and administrators from various school districts within Tennessee and even from other states’ districts as well.”
Ms. Tiffany Smith echoed that sentiment, calling the experience both inspiring and energizing. “Presenting at the TNOTA conference was an incredible opportunity to share and connect with our fellow OT professionals. It was inspiring to see how our research resonated with others and sparked conversations about the future of our practice. The experience not only reinforced the value of our work but also energized me to continue contributing to the advancement of occupational therapy.”
“As occupational therapists, we are uniquely positioned to address the needs and interests of our students, and this conference provided a vital platform to share how our outlook on the school-based setting has evolved and how these innovative approaches and collaborative successes work in our district,” she said. “By presenting our work, we not only contributed to encouraging our audience about our practice but also inspired our fellow practitioners to push the boundaries of what is possible in promoting collaboration.”
The therapists credit MSCS leadership for supporting innovation and growth in occupational therapy services. “No district is perfect,” said Mrs. Graham, “but compared to many across Tennessee, and even nationally, MSCS is ahead. That’s because our leaders have listened to us, invested in training, and given us flexibility to grow. We’re proud to represent our district on a statewide stage.”
With this recognition, MSCS continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing students with the tools, strategies, and support they need to thrive inside and out of the classroom.
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