Email Laurie Smith at lausmith@esu1.org
Physical/Occupational Therapy
Role: PT & OT’s provide services to eligible students, age birth to 21. As a related service, we support students, families and school personnel in the learning environment to enhance learning and participation while fostering independence. Nebraska’s department of Education’s regulations and Standards defines related services as transportation and such developmental, corrective and other supportive services that are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Service provision in the educational setting maybe through direct treatment but is most effective within the classroom or home in collaboration with parents and teachers.
Angie Hansen, Occupational Therapist |
Angela Hansen graduated from the University of South Dakota in December of 2005 with her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. She was able to spend her final semester with ESU #1 completing her fieldwork experience. Angie became an ESU #1 employee in January of 2006. The school districts she is currently serving include: Bloomfield, Creighton, Crofton, Newcastle, Niobrara, Santee, Verdigre, Wausa and Wynot. Angie and her husband Scott live in Vermillion, SD. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child in October 2006! Angie is an avid fan of all USD athletics and enjoys attending USD sporting events! |
Chris Hanson-Harder, Occupational Therapist |
Chris received her Master's Degree from the University of South Dakota in 1994. She began her career at St. Luke's in Sioux City, IA and received a wide range of experience that included acute care and outpatient rehabilitation initially and then outpatient pediatrics, school-based practice and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Chris began at the ESU #1 in 2005 and is currently serving the Jackson, Ponca, Homer, Walthill, Winnebago, UmoHo Nation and Coleridge School Districts. Chris also serves on the NE Regional Autism Team. Chris and her husband Tim live in Sioux City and have three children. Chris enjoys watching her children in their activities, scrapbooking and warm weather! |
Katie Naslund, Physical Therapist
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Originally from northeast Nebraska, Katie graduated from Coleridge Community School in 1999. From there she spent two years at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and then transferred to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion to finish her education. Katie graduated with a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in July 2005 and went on to work briefly in Sioux City at an outpatient clinic. Katie started working with ESU #1 in April of 2006. She says that she loves her new job and all of the children and families that she gets to meet. Katie and her husband reside in Vermillion and are expecting their first child in October. They are very excited to be starting a family and look forward to all the adventures that are sure to come! |
Laurie Smith, Occupational Therapist |
Laurie Smith graduated from Creighton University in May of 2001. Her last semester was spent with ESU #1 doing her final fieldwork experience. Laurie became an ESU #1 employee in August of 2001. She currently serves the South Sioux City and Wakefield school districts. She is also a member of the ESU #1 Assistive Technology Team and the South Sioux City District Autism Team. Laurie lives with her husband and two children in Wakefield. She is a huge Wakefield sports fan, especially Football, which is coached by her husband. |
Liz Peden, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant |
Liz joined the ESU #1 team in September of 2006. She has been working with children in many areas for over twenty years, but is very excited about working full-time in the school system. The school districts Liz presently serves include: Allen, Coleridge, Emerson, Hartington, Macy, Pender, Randolph, Winside and Tower School in Wayne. Liz has been working as a COTA in the Siouxland area since she graduated from Western Iowa Tech Community College in 1995. Although she has worked in many different Occupational Therapy areas in the past, she has worked for both Nebraska and South Dakota schools and also in an outpatient pediatric clinic. Liz lives in Sioux City with her husband, Mike. They have six grandchildren, although unfortunately, they are not in the area. Liz enjoys spending time with her family. She also has been involved with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization for four years and enjoys her "Little Sister" very much. |
Staci Fethkenher, Physical Therapist |
Staci Fethkenher has served ESU #1 as a Physical Therapist since August of 2003. She graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Masters of Physical Therapy degree in May 1996. In 1990, she received a BS Degree in Health Education from the University of Wyoming. Staci has worked as a physical therapist in the Siouxland area since 1996 with experience in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), medical/outpatient pediatric therapy, school-based therapy, acute care, home health and general outpatients. Staci joined the ESU #1 Assistive Tech team in August 2006. Staci currently serves the following school districts: Staci lives on an acreage near Ponca, Nebraska with her husband Shawn and two daughters and several pets. She enjoys spending time with family, snowmobiling, playing outdoors and scrap-booking. |