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Therapy Staff

 

 
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 Occupational Therapists:

Apply their specific knowledge to enable people to engage in activities of daily living that have personal meaning and value. Develop, improve, sustain, or restore independence to any person who has an injury, illness, disability or psychological dysfunction.

Mary Shelton- Occupational Therapist

 Mary.Shelton@fwisd.org

Mary has been in the FWISD for the past 12 years. Each of those years she has enjoyed being a part of Jo Kelly. "Definitely my favorite spot!"

"Prepare the child for the path...not the path for the child"

Tammy Hart - Occupational Therapist

Tammy.Hart@fwisd.org

 

Marlene Gutierrez - Occupational Therapist

marlene.gutierrez@fwisd.org 

Marlene graduated from The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Prior to joining FWISD, she worked in a pediatric outpatient setting where she gained experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses, including autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, genetic disorders, sensory processing, oral/feeding difficulties and many more. Marlene loves working with children and having the privilege to help children become more independent and confident in their everyday lives! In her spare time, she enjoys working out, baking, and spending time with family.

 

“Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together, they make this world a beautiful garden.”-Anonymous

Laurie Raulerson Occupational Therapist

 laurie.raulerson@fwisd.org

Laurie has been an occupational therapist for 22 years, working specifically with children for the last 9. She just joined FWISD in September of 2020 after working 7.5 years as a lead therapist in pediatric home health. 

"I love connecting with people, and I love what I GET TO DO for a living. What a gift to work with such amazing people!"

 

Brittany Climber - Occupational Therapist

Brittany.Climber@fwisd.org

Brittany graduated with her Master's of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Woman's University - Dallas in 2018 and has worked in the school system ever since. 

She loves being an OT because of all the smiles she gets to see throughout her day! 

"I love helping students be successful and their smiles serve as a reminder of why I love what I do. Happiness is a gift and occupational therapy can help spread it."

Emilia Pullis - Occupational Therapist

Emilia.Pullis@fwisd.org

Anjuli, Bala-OT

Anjuli.Bala@fwisd.org 

Anjuli graduated with her master's in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Prior to working at FWISD, she has worked in a neurorehabilitation outpatient clinic and pediatric private practice for the past 6 years. Her first career was as a Special Education teacher in Washington DC and she has a Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Special Education. She combines all these different skill sets to ensure that she is a well-rounded therapist that can guide children and families to achieve their goals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, and DIY craft projects.   

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!" --Audrey Hepburn

 

 

 


Speech-language pathologists (SLPs)

Work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Max Pell - Speech Therapist

 Max.Pell@fwisd.org

The 2018-19 School Year marks Max's fifth year in the district and his first year at the Jo Kelly School. A native of Jacksonville, Texas, Max attended Stephen F. Austin State University for both undergraduate and graduate studies, receiving his Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2014.

"Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." —Dr. Maya Angelou

Brittany delaValdene - Speech Therapist

Brittany.delaValdene@fwisd.org

Brittany is a native of Dallas, Texas. She recieved her bachelors degree from the University of Texas and graduated with her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Texas in 2020.

She completed her internship year in Fort Worth ISD before joining the Jo Kelly team. The 2021-2022 school year marks Brittany's first year with the district.

  

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”– Albert Einstein

 

 

 


Physical Therapy:

A branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities.

Suzanne Sessums - Physical Therapist

Suzanne.Sessums@fwisd.org

Suzanne graduated Physical Therapy School from Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 1999. She has been an employee for FWISD since Aug. 1999. She also works as a physical therapist for a pediatric home health company, is involved with hippotherapy (horse therapy ) and works at a hospital on the weekends. She has two sons that enjoy athletics and her husband is a teacher at Jo Kelly. Suzanne is currently back in school to receive her Doctorate degree from UTMB Galveston. She is scheduled to graduate in August 2017.

"The staff and children at Jo Kelly are incredible. I always leave Jo Kelly for the day with a smile on my face!"

Jennifer King - Physical Therapist

Jennifer.King@fwisd.org

Jennifer King moved to Texas as a young child and she is a graduate of FWISD. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors, home improvement projects, camping, and traveling.  

In 1999 she graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a MS in Physical Therapy and joined the FWISD therapy team of Jo Kelly School in August of that year.

"I am thrilled to serve students at Jo Kelly!."   

“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! – Dr. Seuss 

Betsy Smith - Physical Therapist

Betsy.Smith@fwisd.org

Betsy is a physical therapist born and raised in North Texas.  She graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a doctorate of physical therapy and began working for Fort Worth ISD in 2015. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, toddler, and two dogs.  

“Adults are just outdated children” – Dr. Seuss

Marsha Deboer - Physical Therapist

Marsha.Deboer@fwisd.org

Marsha graduated  with her masters of Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University  in 2004. Marsha moved to Texas in 2014 to start work as contract physical therapist with Fort Worth ISD and was thrilled to be assigned to Jo Kelly.  She joined the district as a full time physical therapist in 2016 and was excited to be able to return to working at Jo Kelly.  Prior to moving to Texas, Marsha worked in an outpatient clinic treating all ages and doing aquatic physical therapy.  Marsha loves the ability to try new things and be creative with her treatment ideas with all of her students.

Marsha has 2 sons and can be found at the football stadium most Friday nights during the fall.  During the summer she enjoys traveling to Michigan to see her family and friends. 

"I enjoy getting to spend time at Jo Kelly.  I love seeing the smile on my student's face.  It makes coming to work something to look forward to."

Janis O'Connor - Physical Therapist

Janis.O'Connor@fwisd.org

Janis graduated from Northern Illinois University’s with a BS in Physical Therapy in 1989. She had worked with adult patients in numerous settings in Chicago for years before moving to Texas in 2005 where she joined the FWISD Special Education department. She has had the privilege of working with Jo Kelly students for 13 out of the 14 years she has worked in FWISD. Janis also works as a contract PT for a local home health care company. She is married with 4 kids who are all currently attending high school and college. 


“The rewards I receive from these special students are immeasurable. They add pure joy to my life and it is a privilege to serve them. “ 

Amber Rodgers - Physical Therapy

Amber.Rodgers@fwisd.org

Amber graduated from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 2003. She worked in an outpatient setting for 3 years doing sports rehabilitation. Amber was hired on with FWISD in 2006 and am in her 12th year with the district. She has worked with the students at Jo Kelly since 2006 and enjoys working the students and staff. She has also worked in the home health and hospital rehab settings part time.

I have a wonderful husband and two awesome daughters.

"I love my job and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students I serve daily". 

Music Therapy

It is an evidence-based therapy well-established in the health community. Music therapy experiences may include listening, singing, playing instruments, or composing music.

Amanda Williams -Music Therapist

amanda.williams@fwisd.org

Music Therapy Page

Amanda grew up in Arlington, TX. Following graduation, she worked as a camp counselor at Camp Summit, which led her to the field of music therapy! Amanda graduated from Texas Woman’s University with Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy in 2015 and has worked in FWISD since 2016.  

Amanda and her husband, another FWISD music therapist, have 5 precious fur babies: 3 dogs and 2 cats.  

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.  -Audrey Hepburn