Kathy Su: 'For our students every little thing is progress'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy Su

Occupational Therapist

Student Support Services

Olson Elementary School

 

When it comes to working with students with special needs, Olson Elementary School Occupational Therapist Kathy Su is the perfect person.

 

She works on primary skills with students - helping them with writing, drawing, cutting, and also developing sensory skills to self-regulate so they are ready to learn.

 

 

“I really enjoy working at MPUSD. I like working in a public school setting because I enjoy seeing students inside the classroom and outside at recess because I get to see their development all the time,” she says.

 

As part of the Monterey Peninsula School District and Olson Elementary School team for the past five years, she has had the opportunity to work with students of all grade levels. Currently, she serves students in the district’s Special Day Class (SDC) and Language Enriched Academic Performance (LEAP) program.

 

MPUSD’s LEAP program primarily focuses on language communication and supports students with autism disorders or who need visual and communication support. MPUSD’s SDC program provides academic support at a slightly higher tier than resource support. Whereas in resource support, students are pulled out for math and English language support, and in SDC students are taught in the same class and pulled out for art and science.

 

Kathy grew up in Taiwan and received her masters degree in New York. Over time, she found herself migrating across the country and ended up on the west coast seven years ago.

 

When asked what inspired her into special education, she says, “My brother had an occupational therapist when he was little and I thought it was a fun job to do and thought I could play all day at work with kids.”

 

Kathy says it is not only a fun job, but it is really rewarding because of the impact you have on students. In fact, Kathy is so dedicated to her role and her passion is clearly exemplified when talking about what she does at MPUSD.

 

Her biggest hope for the future is that her students can become independent and develop the skills they need as adults.

 

“In special education we celebrate the little things because for our students every little thing is progress,” says Kathy.

 

Kathy feels fortunate to work alongside a team. She works closely with speech therapists and special education teachers and not only considers them a team, but a big family.

 

“We are always talking about students and making recommendations, and it’s really nice to have someone in the same profession to give you feedback and support and help you grow," she said.