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*

Tania Ferrandino received her BS/Diploma in Occupational therapy from St. Loye’s school of Occupational Therapy in Exeter, England. Tania has worked extensively with children of all ages and abilities for more than 20 years. Her passion is sharing with educators and others who work with young children how they can most effectively prepare children for written production skills, including handwriting. She currently serves as a Senior National Learning Producer for Learning Without Tears, where she is considered a subject matter expert and has worked on creating content for teacher guides, student workbooks and hands-on products. Tania has also created content for multiple professional learning formats.

*Receives a salary from Learning Without Tears where she is an employee*

Roxanne Thompson received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 1998. She has practiced OT in the public schools, early intervention, and currently a private pediatric out-patient clinic. She also provides handwriting tutoring services to children in pre-school through middle school. She completed her Level 1 certification in March 2007 and has been presenting for Learning Without Tears since 2009.  Roxanne lives in Frisco with her husband and 2 children.

*Receives a salary from Learning Without Tears where she is an employee*