Innovations in School-Based Physical Therapy Practice (June 17-18, 2025)
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Register
- Early bird pricing available!
- Non-member - $435
- Member - $320
- PT Member - $320
- PTA Member - $320
- Student - $180
- Life Member - $320
- Partner Member - $320
- Regular Price after 05/20/2025 11:59 PM
- Non-member - $510
- Member - $395
- PT Member - $395
- PTA Member - $395
- Student - $255
- Life Member - $395
- Partner Member - $395
The annual Innovations in School-based Physical Therapy Practice course offered by the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy (APTA Pediatrics) School Special Interest Group (School SIG) highlights both advanced practice issues and foundational information for school-based practice. Sessions provide information on decision-making and educationally relevant physical therapy services to support educational programs for students with disabilities. Nationally recognized speakers address federal laws, assessment, service provision, clinical education, mentoring, and innovations in practice.
This event will be held at the Gateway Community College in Phoenix, AZ.
Lunch will be provided.
Audience
This 2-day course is intended for physical therapists who provide, or intend to provide, related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Daliy Registration:
Wednesday only (June 18, 2025)
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Understand foundational federal laws and regulations for ensuring a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), including provision of required related services for students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504.
- Apply evidence and data to individualize and make appropriate decisions regarding evaluation, outcome measures, models of service delivery, individualization, advocacy, and evidence-informed interventions.
- Apply knowledge gained to influence and advocate for appropriate services, staffing, adequate supports, physical activity and fitness, collaboration across practice settings and in communities, and self-determination for students with disabilities.
- Incorporate evidenced-informed evaluation and intervention for students with complex disability.
- Describe the role of school-based physical therapy in provision of assistive technology and individualized transportation services, and to prepare students and their families for adulthood through post-school transition.
Schedule-at-a-Glance

Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA is a Professor and serves as DPT Program Director in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Graduate College of Health Sciences, at Hawai’i Pacific University, Honolulu, HI. Dr. Rapport has been a physical therapy educator and researcher for many years while continuing to provide PT services, working with children and their families, in a career spanning more than four decades. In addition to entry level DPT education, Dr. Rapport is involved in PT residency education and professional development. Dr. Rapport is serving as President (2023-2026) of APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. She received the APTA Lucy Blair Award for service in 2009 and was selected as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2013. Dr. Rapport was named the 2023 Outstanding Physical Therapist by APTA Colorado. Dr. Rapport has more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and has experience presenting at state, national, and international conferences.

Karen Tartick, PT
Karen Tartick, PT, has been providing physical therapy services in a variety of pediatric settings, including early intervention, acute care, NICU, and in both the North Carolina and New York school systems. Karen is an APTA Advanced Clinical Instructor and served as mentor for the school-based portion of the pediatric residency program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Duke University Health System. Karen contributed to several fact sheets on behalf of the APTA Pediatrics School SIG. Karen presents nationally on various topics, including motor needs for children with autism, embedding physical therapy interventions in school settings, adaptive equipment for children with complex needs, and the role of school therapists in successfully transitioning from high school.
Maura Doyle, PT, DPT, PCS
Maura Doyle, PT, DPT, PCS, is a Senior Physical Therapist and the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education at the New York City Public Schools. She has been a school-based physical therapist for 24 years, and an ABPTS Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy since 2009. Dr. Doyle has co-authored peer-reviewed publications on determining needs for school-based physical therapy services and on norms for tests of mobility for school-aged children. She is currently a student in the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

Kimberly D. Wynarczuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH
Kimberly D. Wynarczuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, is Program Director and an Associate Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. She is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (emeritus). Dr. Wynarczuk started her physical therapy career as a school-based physical therapist for 11 years and currently serves as the School-Based SIG representative to the APTA Pediatrics Research Committee. She has been a full-time faculty member in graduate-level physical therapy programs since 2011. Dr. Wynarczuk has conducted, published, and presented research on a variety of school-based physical therapy topics, including goal development and the participation of students with disabilities in school trips.

Hilary Terhune, PT, MPT, DHSc, MSc
Hilary Terhune, PT, MPT, DHSc, MSc has been a school-based physical therapist since 2009 and has been a strong advocate for supporting the needs of children and families in Maine and New York State. In addition to her Board-Certified Clinical Specialty in Pediatric PT, she has taught pediatric content at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Daemen University, and the University of New England (Portland, ME). Hilary’s scholarship interests and her Doctor of Health Science scholarship project are focused on how PTs can support youth as they transition between high school and adult environments.

Amy Barr, PT, DPT
Amy Barr, PT, DPT is a school-based therapist and Special Education Liaison for Cherry Creek School District in suburban Denver. She has 28 years of experience working with adults and children and has spent over 20 years serving preschool through transition-age students in school-based practice. Amy has a passion for improving her practice as a pediatric therapist and helping others to do the same. She is a member of the PT/OT Advisory Council for the Colorado Department of Education. Amy currently serves as a director on the Board of the APTA Academy of Pediatrics.

Erin Kinsey, PT, DPT, PCS
Erin Kinsey, PT, DPT, PCS, is a school-based physical therapist for Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, Colorado. She has 12 years of school-based experience and prior to that completed the LEND Fellowship through JFK Partners at the University of Colorado. She is a member of the PT/OT Advisory Council for the Colorado Department of Education, and previously served as the Vice President of the Colorado APTA Pediatric Special Interest Group. Erin enjoys spending time in the pediatric labs as associated faculty at the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program, and mentoring physical therapy students and new school-based physical therapists.

Dr. Sandra Ribeiro
Dr. Sandra Ribeiro is an Assistant Professor at LaGuardia Community College, specializing in Neurological Rehabilitation, Public Health, and Anatomy and Physiology. She is a licensed Physical and Recreational Therapist with advanced training as a Pediatric Clinical Specialist accredited by the APTA. Dr. Ribeiro has extensive experience in clinical instruction and mentorship, having served as a senior instructor at the NYC Department of Education and in various community settings. She is actively engaged in APTA at both state and national levels, including in the House of Delegates and as the New York State Pediatric Advocacy Liaison (SPAL). Her research focuses on collaborative and interprofessional practices within community settings. She has contributed to a book “Interprofessional Perspectives for Community Practice” published by Slack Incorporated and presented at the IPEC Poster Fair in 2024. Dr. Ribeiro has also presented at the National APTA Pediatric Academy in 2023 and 2024 on topics such as best evidence approaches for individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Lower Limb Loss. Her research highlights the benefits of a “10-minute exercise routine” for school-aged students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Amy Schlessman, PT, DPT, DHSc
Amy Schlessman is the Director of ADEPT (Accelerated Development of Excellence in Physical Therapy), a student success program, at Tufts University. She has over 23 years of experience as a school-based physical therapist. Her research is focused on embedding physical activity throughout the school day/health promotion, collaborative practices, and best practices in teaching. Amy has delivered over 65 professional presentations at national, state, and regional conferences, and over 100 invited speaker presentations. Amy serves the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy as the Treasurer and State Advocacy Liaison for Ohio. Amy serves on Ohio PT Association's Pediatric Special Interest Group leadership team.

Laurie Ray, PT, PhD
Laurie Ray has 25 years of experience in school-based physical therapy practice in North Carolina. Dr. Ray has served North Carolina as the Physical Therapy Consultant for NC Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) since 2005, Medicaid Consultant since 2006 and serves as Adapted Physical Education Liaison. The NC School-based PT website offers many helpful resources and is utilized by school-based practitioners across NC, as well as nationally and internationally.
She received her MPT and PhD (Special Education focus) from UNC Chapel Hill. She is an Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at UNC-Chapel Hill, teaching in the DPT program and Pediatric Residency. Laurie was a founding officer of the APTA NC Pediatric SIG and served as Communication Chair. For the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, she served as Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Leadership Coordinator, Coordinator of the Innovations in School-based PT Annual Conference (10 yrs), Region V Representative, Chair of the School SIG (6 yrs) and on the Policy, Payment and Advocacy Committee.
Dr. Ray previously served on the Boards of the National Alliance of Medicaid in Education and the NC Vocational Rehabilitation Council. Laurie co-founded www.seekfreaks.com, a web-based resource that reaches across the US and internationally to support best practice for related services, evidence-based practice, and knowledge translation. Dr. Ray’s expertise on: school and pediatric practice of physical therapy, Medicaid cost recovery for public schools, anti-discrimination law, ethics, adapted physical education, and related topics, is highly sought across the US. She is a reviewer for Pediatric Physical Therapy and on the editorial board for Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy.

Susan Cecere, PT, MHS
Susan Cecere, PT, MHS has over 25 years of experience in schools, both as a provider and an administrator. After retiring from full-time work, she started Sequoia School-based Therapy Solutions, LLC., which offers individual mentoring and professional development to therapy staff and administrators. She is a frequent speaker on various school-based topics and a faculty member of Apply EBP, LLC. and Education Resources, Inc. Sue is a founding member of the Maryland State OT/PT Steering Committee and an active member of the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, APTA, where she previously served as Vice President. Sue has co-authored two state practice guides, numerous APTA Peds Academy fact sheets, and a book chapter on IDEA Under Parts B & C in “Guide to Pediatric Physical Therapy: A Clinical Approach.” She resides in Cape Charles, Virginia.

Susan Englert Shutrump, OTR/L
Susan Englert Shutrump, OTR/L is the President of Susan Shutrump Consulting, LLC and the recently retired Supervisor of Occupational and Physical Therapy Services for the Trumbull County ESC. She has more than 40 years’ experience in providing therapy services including coordinating the development of individualized transportation plans for students with special needs. She received the Peter J Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence in 2018 and the National Association of Pupil Transportation Sure-Lok Safe and Secure Special Needs Transportation Award in 2007. She is a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. She served on the NHTSA original curriculum writing committee for “Child Safety Restraint Systems on School Buses”, as well as all subsequent revision committees including being a National Subject Matter Expert on the 2023 revised curriculum. She served as Special Advisor to the STARTS (Students Transportation Aligned for Return to School) National Task Force during the Covid-19 pandemic. She is a tenured faculty and advisory board member of the National Conference and Exhibition on Transporting Students with Disabilities and Preschoolers, serving as co-chairman of the OT/PT/Transporter Forum since 1995. She has authored articles in therapy and transportation publications, and chapters, “Best Practices in Safe Transportation,” in the first two editions of (AOTA textbook) Best Practices for Occupational Therapy in Schools.

Dr. Megan Roberts
Dr. Megan Roberts is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics of the College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) where she directs the Oklahoma Interdisciplinary Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program. Dr. Roberts was a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, an Assistive Technology Professional, and a member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for Pediatric Physical Therapy. She worked as a school-based physical therapist, where she chaired the PT/OT department and developed a district-wide Assistive Technology program As the OKLEND Program Director, Dr. Roberts prepares future service providers and advocates in disability related fields. She provides technical assistance to community organizations, state agencies, and national agencies to improve systems, policies, services, and research, with a goal of improving community participation, independence, and self-direction for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Lisa A. Chiarello, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Lisa Ann Chiarello, PT, PhD, FAPTA is a Professor and Executive Program Director of the DPT Program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and an associate member of CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research. Her research agenda includes the areas of pediatric community-based service delivery, engagement of families and children in rehabilitation, and participation of children with physical disabilities in home, school, and community. Dr. Chiarello has a long-standing record of national and internation presentations and has been a committed advocate for family-centered care and collaborative practices. She has conducted federally funded, multi-site research. Dr. Chiarello has had several leadership roles in the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. She is invested in mentoring others and promoting the translation of research knowledge to practice.

Heather Brossman, PT, DPT, DHSc, MS
Dr. Heather Brossman, PT, DPT, DHSc, MS, is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She teaches pediatrics and is a board- certified pediatric clinical specialist. Her practice area is school-based services with a specialty for children with multiple disabilities. Dr. Brossman is currently the Region IV representative for the school-based physical therapy special interest group of the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and a clinical director for Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. She is the Director for the Good Shepard/Drexel University pediatric physical therapy residency. Her scholarship includes participation for children with physical and intellectual disabilities in preschool, at home, and the community.

Rachel Miller, MPH
Rachel Miller, MPH is a health policy and payment specialist at APTA. In this role, Rachel advocates to federal regulators on policy issues that affect the physical therapy profession. Before joining the association, she completed her master's degree in health policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While continuing her education, Rachel showed community members how to obtain health insurance as Certified Application Counselor in a student-run clinic. Before that, she helped stop the spread of COVID-19 as a case investigator at a local health department. She obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida.
This event will be held at the Gateway Community College,108 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Integrated Educational Building (IE). Copper Room IE 1302 and Room IE 2201.
Hotel: We have a room block at the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North, 3838 East Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ.
Book your room using the group rate for Innovations In School-Based Practice Conference
• Hotel is within walking distance to Gateway Community College (across the street).
• $119/night Guest Room Rate, plus taxes (currently 12.57%), June 16-19, 2025.
• Off Loop 202 and Route 143, two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via free shuttle.
• Parking is $7 per day
• Complimentary wireless high-speed internet.
• Room registration link will close May 26, 2025. Book your room early since space is limited.
Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is only 2 miles from the hotel hosting our guest rooms, the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North.
Shuttle: This hotel provides a complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle service 24 hours a day. For more information, visit: https://www.hilton.com/en/hote...
Local Information: For great information on visiting Phoenix and the surrounding area visit www.visitphoenix.com. Points of interest:
• Camelback Mountain https://www.visitphoenix.com/s...
• Papago Park https://www.visitphoenix.com/s...
• Desert Botanical Garden https://dbg.org/
• Phoenix Zoo https://www.phoenixzoo.org/
• Heard Museum https://heard.org/
• Phoenix Art Museum https://phxart.org/
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