Emily is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience specializing in OT based in sensory integrative processing, developmental disorders, sensory-based feeding challenges and school-based interventions. She is certified through CLASI, as well as the STAR Institute, in sensory integration. She is also a certified handwriting specialist, as well as a certified feeding therapist. Recently, she was the clinical director of an OT clinic in Quito, Ecuador, where she resided for 10 years, providing multidisciplinary trainings and workshops within the international school circuit in areas such as fine motor and handwriting development, inclusive learning environments, and sensory supports for the classroom, among other topics. Currently, she is a pediatric OT for a non-profit organization based in Denver, Colorado.  She was introduced to Handwriting Without Tears in 2014 and has used it both in the school setting and private practice ever since.  When she isn't sharing her love of collaborative learning and teaching, you can find her outdoors, playing soccer, or on the dance floor.  Emily is very excited to be a part of the Learning Without Tears team! 

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears*

Kami Bible is an experienced occupational therapist, holding a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Business Administration. With an impressive 25-year tenure in the field, Kami has served as an occupational therapist in schools across various states and has adapted to diverse service delivery models, including online school-based therapy. Her utilization of the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum has yielded tremendous success, and she takes great pleasure in sharing her experiences with fellow therapists. Kami is recognized as a seasoned presenter and has presented on the effective utilization of technology in school-based programs and offered strategies to enhance the overall strength of such programs. Kami's enthusiasm to serve as a workshop presenter allows her to further share her passion for Handwriting Without Tears with others.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from eLuma Online Therapy where she is an employee*

Yasmin is a passionate educator and professional development facilitator. Mrs. Lynch earned a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Northridge and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from University of California, Los Angeles. Mrs. Lynch’s passion for education was sparked in her hometown of Los Angeles after serving homeless children and their families at an after-school program, where she saw visible disparities across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and neighborhood zip code lines. She began her career as a classroom teacher and later moved into the roles of early interventionist, state policy specialist, and school administrator. In addition, she is experienced in the development and facilitation of professional learning for educators including district and school administrators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. Yasmin currently serves as a Bilingual National Presenter with LWT.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears*

Erin Dolin is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with over fifteen years of experience working in clinic and school-based practice settings. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise physiology at California State University, Fresno, earned her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA, and completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a research emphasis focused on the link between handwriting instruction and student achievement. In addition to her school-based OT practice, Erin has served as an adjunct faculty member with the Department of Physical Therapy at CSU Fresno since 2005. She has taught several foundational courses including Medical terminology, Neuromotor Development Across the Lifespan, Rehabilitation Professions, and Patient Practitioner Interaction in addition to her advising role for students pursuing Pre-Occupational Therapy option coursework. Erin has completed professional development coursework and holds certifications in Therapeutic Listening, The Perceptual Enrichment Program (PEP), Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT - administration scoring and treatment), and HWT Level 1 Certification. Erin began her role with HWT as a National Workshop Presenter in 2008 and has been using HWT with children since she was a graduate student in 1998. She is passionate about her role as a school based OT and supporting student success. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, stand-up paddle boarding, triathlon competitions, attempting DIY home improvement projects and relaxing with her dogs.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears*

Melissa McHugh is a Special Education teacher in Joshua, Texas. Melissa holds a BFA from Auburn University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a certified teacher for both general and special education and has worked with kids of all abilities, both in small groups and in the large classroom setting. She was named Burleson Independent School District Support Staff Member of the Year in 2011 and was Teacher of the Year at her campus in 2011, 2014, and 2016. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2018 at Caddo Grove Elementary.  In 1999, Melissa began using Handwriting Without Tears with her students with special needs and now works with General Education teachers to bring it into their classrooms as well. When not in the classroom, Melissa and her husband, Chris, can be found on the football and soccer fields, or at Rodeo Competitions cheering on their two boys, Wesley and Nick. When at home, Melissa enjoys HGTV, crafts, reading, and taking care of all the family pets (including: dogs, munchkin cats, fish, tortoises, a rat, and a horse!) Melissa loves the Handwriting Without Tears Program and how it changed how she teaches in the classroom, and looks forward to sharing it with you!

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from Granbury ISD where she is an employee*

Mark D. Putney is currently a Kindergarten Teacher in the Fredonia (New York) Central School District. He learned about the Get Set For School and Handwriting Without Tears programs while teaching grades 1st through 5th during his first 20 years of teaching in the elementary classroom. He then used the Keyboarding Without Tears program while he was a computer teacher for Grades K-4 before his current role in Kindergarten. Mark has both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. He was so inspired by what the Keyboarding Without Tears program was doing for his students that, after attending a workshop himself, he pursued an opportunity to teach all of the programs that Learning Without Tears has to offer. Mark has been a curriculum presenter for 15 years during his 26 year teaching career, traveling throughout the United States, and ultimately has a passion to help teachers learn from coast to coast. Aside from his roles as teacher and presenter, Mark is also a husband and father. He and his wife, Melissa (a Pre-K teacher herself), have 4 children: Tyler, Emma, Ashton, and Graham. 

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from Fredonia Central School District where he is an employee*