Longtime OT turned full time homeschooling mom keeps license active through OccupationalTherapy.com
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Occupational therapist Mary Wanta, MS, joins the Continued community from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Wanta served as a school occupational therapist for 24 years before she and her husband adopted their two daughters from China in 2012. She now homeschools her daughters full time but keeps her license active through OccupationalTherapy.com.
"The courses have been so valuable to me in my efforts to further my skills both as an OT and as a mom."
What do you like most about what you do?
After working as a school occupational therapist for 24 years, I left to be a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to our two daughters, who we adopted from China in 2012. Before this transition, I truly loved practicing in the school setting. I mostly liked having a chance to really get to know each child and see him or her progress and succeed over a period of years. Now that I am at home, I have the opportunity to use my OT skills with my own children. I am so thankful to be able to help my daughters develop the skills they need for their own success.
Why are you passionate about your field?
I'm passionate about the field of occupational therapy because its primary purpose is to help others become as independent as they can be in skills that are relevant in their lives. There is nothing like seeing the joy on someone's face when they've achieved a new skill or overcome adversity or a challenge to their independence!
"Not only is OccupationalTherapy.com convenient and affordable, but most importantly to me, the knowledge I am gaining through these courses helps me to be a better mom."
What value does online learning hold for you?
I was so excited to find out about the opportunity for online learning through OccupationalTherapy.com. I wanted very much to keep my OT license current in case I should ever return to the field again. However, as a homeschooling mom, it would have been difficult for me to be away at various seminars or classes, as I need to be at home teaching my children every day. Also, in-person classes can be very expensive, especially when a family is living on just one income.
In addition, I love that I have an opportunity to gain knowledge in areas I might never have explored due to time or budget limitations. Not only is OccupationalTherapy.com convenient and affordable, but most importantly to me, the knowledge I am gaining through these courses helps me to be a better mom!
What impact has Continued had on your ability to advance your training or apply new skills to your area of practice?
Through OccupationalTherapy.com, I have learned new and updated information in areas such as sensory processing and visual perception that has helped me be more effective in my current role as a homeschooling mom. The courses have been valuable to me in my efforts to further my skills both as an OT and as a mom.
Thank you, Mary Wanta, for being a part of our Continued story.
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