Melissa McHugh is a Special Education teacher in Joshua, Texas. Melissa holds a BFA from Auburn University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a certified teacher for both general and special education and has worked with kids of all abilities, both in small groups and in the large classroom setting. She was named Burleson Independent School District Support Staff Member of the Year in 2011 and was Teacher of the Year at her campus in 2011, 2014, and 2016. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2018 at Caddo Grove Elementary.  In 1999, Melissa began using Handwriting Without Tears with her students with special needs and now works with General Education teachers to bring it into their classrooms as well. When not in the classroom, Melissa and her husband, Chris, can be found on the football and soccer fields, or at Rodeo Competitions cheering on their two boys, Wesley and Nick. When at home, Melissa enjoys HGTV, crafts, reading, and taking care of all the family pets (including: dogs, munchkin cats, fish, tortoises, a rat, and a horse!) Melissa loves the Handwriting Without Tears Program and how it changed how she teaches in the classroom, and looks forward to sharing it with you!

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from Granbury ISD where she is an employee*

Mark D. Putney is currently a Kindergarten Teacher in the Fredonia (New York) Central School District. He learned about the Get Set For School and Handwriting Without Tears programs while teaching grades 1st through 5th during his first 20 years of teaching in the elementary classroom. He then used the Keyboarding Without Tears program while he was a computer teacher for Grades K-4 before his current role in Kindergarten. Mark has both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. He was so inspired by what the Keyboarding Without Tears program was doing for his students that, after attending a workshop himself, he pursued an opportunity to teach all of the programs that Learning Without Tears has to offer. Mark has been a curriculum presenter for 15 years during his 26 year teaching career, traveling throughout the United States, and ultimately has a passion to help teachers learn from coast to coast. Aside from his roles as teacher and presenter, Mark is also a husband and father. He and his wife, Melissa (a Pre-K teacher herself), have 4 children: Tyler, Emma, Ashton, and Graham. 

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from Fredonia Central School District where he is an employee*

Emily Hayes is a Kindergarten teacher in Durham, North Carolina.  She holds a BS in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Inclusion from the University of Rochester.  She is a certified teacher in general and special education and has worked in classrooms with various physical abilities and neurodiversities.  In 2016, Emily began using Handwriting Without Tears with her Kindergarten students and her love of handwriting and how much it can open educational doors for all students grew.  She began her own business at the beginning of the pandemic to virtually support students to grow with their handwriting abilities.  When not in the classroom, Emily and her husband, Ben, can be found exploring local culture with their two kids, Sloane and Lex.  When home, Emily enjoys baking, watching reality television, building IKEA furniture, and making memories with her kids. Emily loves the Handwriting Without Tears Program and how it has enhanced how she supports students within the classroom and looks forward to sharing it with you!

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from The Lerner School where she is an employee*

Tania Ferrandino received her BS/Diploma in Occupational therapy from St. Loye’s school of Occupational Therapy in Exeter, England. Tania has worked extensively with children of all ages and abilities for more than 20 years. Her passion is sharing with educators and others who work with young children how they can most effectively prepare children for written production skills, including handwriting. She currently serves as a Senior National Learning Producer for Learning Without Tears, where she is considered a subject matter expert and has worked on creating content for teacher guides, student workbooks and hands-on products. Tania has also created content for multiple professional learning formats.

*Receives a salary from Learning Without Tears where she is an employee*

Paula Heinricher received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and is certified in Sensory Integration Therapy. As an OT she has worked in the schools (PreK though middle school levels), early intervention, and out-patient settings. She has extensive experience using the Learning Without Tears curriculums with children of all ability levels.  Paula began working for Learning Without Tears in 2005 and is currently a National Presenter and Content Support Specialist. She also tutors children who have fine motor, sensory motor, and handwriting concerns.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears*

Kami Bible is an experienced occupational therapist, holding a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and a Master of Business Administration. With an impressive 25-year tenure in the field, Kami has served as an occupational therapist in schools across various states and has adapted to diverse service delivery models, including online school-based therapy. Her utilization of the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum has yielded tremendous success, and she takes great pleasure in sharing her experiences with fellow therapists. Kami is recognized as a seasoned presenter and has presented on the effective utilization of technology in school-based programs and offered strategies to enhance the overall strength of such programs. Kami's enthusiasm to serve as a workshop presenter allows her to further share her passion for Handwriting Without Tears with others.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from eLuma Online Therapy where she is an employee*