Movin Up in Education PLLC

Kelly L. Ramsdell, MS OTR/L has been an Occupational Therapist (OT) since 1997. She began her OT career in a skilled nursing facility in Glendale Arizona. From here, she began working with children in home health, pediatric clinics, and eventually school settings. Kelly has been a school based OT since 2000. She has worked with numerous staff and students on increasing movement and motor skills in the educational settings. In 2011, Kelly created Movin Up In Education, PLLC to find ways to share some of the materials she has created for her own practice with others.

Kelly uses functional activities that are playful in nature to build motor skills and enhance classroom participation and performance. When students are moving and having fun, they are learning and growing. What's more is that this type of learning carries over directly in the classroom. Kelly specializes in sensory motor processing, gross/fine motor, and visual motor development as it effects learning in the educational setting. Kelly also addresses functional activities of daily living and environmental adaptation. Kelly uses a variety of therapeutic approaches such as: individual, small group, large group, direct, consult, push-in and pull-out services. The approach she takes is based on the student and staff needs.

Back in 2007, Kelly developed the Moves of the Month educational program. In its original form, this program was used campus wide to enhance motor development of preschool students. Both peer role models and special needs students benefited from this program. In the 2008-2009 school year, Kelly and the various teachers using this program received a Tempe Diablo Excellence in Education Award. Since that time, Kelly has worked to evolve the program into what it is today. First and for most, the name was changed to “Preschool Moves!” or “Kindergarten Moves!”. This was to allow for more flexibility in changing the movements as frequently as needed. Also, more modifications were added to meet the individual needs of the students.

Kelly graduated from Joel E. Ferris High School in Spokane Washington in 1989. Kelly then attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff Arizona as a student athlete from August of 1989 until December of 1993. She completed in Track and Field as well as earning a Bachelor of General Studies with an emphasis in Physical Sciences. Next, Kelly attended Western Michigan University from August of 1994 until December of 1996. Here she earned a Master of Science degree for Occupational Therapy. Kelly has been a Nationally Board Certified Occupational Therapist since April 1997. She also maintains a state license from the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Kelly continually attends continuing education classes to further enhance her Occupational Therapy skills and practice.

Kelly also has completed a certified Yoga Alliance teacher training program. Since 2005, Kelly has been a certified yoga instructor. She has taught yoga to adults and children. Her specific interest is in how yoga can benefit the special needs students she worked with in the schools. In 2013, Kelly completed the course for Educational Kinesiology-Brain Gym: For Children Who Have Special Needs. She has enjoyed brining Brain Gym to the public schools.