As I type this I am sitting waiting for my first leg back to Texas. This past weekend I participated in training to help me better understand how occupational therapy programs are reviewed and the process by which they become accredited. And you might be saying that you've heard me say that I've been through accreditation multiple times and you're not making up stories, I have but on the academic side, as the faculty/administration going through the process. Now, I'm going through the training so that someday, G-d willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be sitting on the other side doing the assessing. I spent the weekend with some of the most intelligent individuals within my profession and really for the first time, I felt like I was where I belonged. I understood, asked questions, learned from a different point of view, and was able to see how this process works. I have a newfound respect for all the OTs and OTAs that so unselfishly gave their time to review the programs I've worked for. Y'all do this purely out of the goodness of your hearts and it is a pretty thankless job. Yes, you might get some snacks and lunch but from the staff who does all the coordinating, to the paper reviewers combing through documents from their living room and PJs, to the onsight co-evaluators and team chairs, to the readers at ACOTE, thank you. Thank you for taking time from your families, colleagues, patients, and students to volunteer dozens of hours to help move our profession forward and protect our students. I'm very grateful for your service.
You might be asking why I am doing this? I truly love academia. I've always been blessed with a love of learning. Of discovering new things and deepening my understanding. I'm so honored to teach OT students. To be allowed to be part of the journey towards graduation and licensure. I'm not sure how the universe saw fit for me to do this work but I'm eternally grateful. I continue to widen my circle of OT practitioner friends. I see how the field continues to change and grow, it's a truly beautiful thing. Watching shy and trepidacious students become confident, kind, and caring clinicians makes me teary when I think about it. To get emails from current students that say with great excitement that it finally makes sense....it's the highlight of my day. To hear about fieldwork successes, makes my heart overflow with pride. And to see the circle complete at conferences. I'm so lucky to do a job I love. But, there is something else, I want to run a program someday. I want to be a program director/chair of an OT program. I'm putting it out there. In words. I know it will be a trade but I want to help shape the curriculum and lead programs that contribute to the betterment of our profession. So universe, do your thing. I'm gonna keep learning and growing so when that opportunity presents itself, I'm gonna be ready.
Go out and do things to help improve yourself, whatever that may be. I'll be cheering you along the way.
