Cathy Van Haute has been a national presenter for Learning Without Tears since 2003. She obtained a Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas, and a Masters degree in Child Development from the University of Nebraska. She is also Level One Certified Handwriting Specialist and Neurodevelopmental Treatment Certified. Cathy has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 35 years. She operates her own therapy business, which provides therapy strategies in both school and home based settings. Through her energy and engagement, she makes Learning Without Tears® an amazing educational experience. Her passion for helping children fuels her dedication to providing top notch training for all attendees.   

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and is the owner of Children Succeed Therapy*

Valerie is a National Workshop Presenter and Content Specialist for Learning Without Tears, a profession that came out of her passion as an occupational therapist to empower educators and other therapists to help their students succeed at school.  Valerie has provided occupational therapy services to children in a variety of settings including schools, clinics, homes, and through teletherapy.  She has used the LWT methods and materials with children since 2004, and she became a LWT National Presenter in 2011 alongside her work as an occupational therapist.  Valerie lives in Greenville, SC with her husband and two children where they enjoy traveling and all kinds of outdoor adventures, especially those including hiking boots, snow skis, kayaks, and SUPs.

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

Dr. Suzanne Asherson is a pediatric occupational therapist with a Clinical Doctorate and Masters from the University of Southern California.  She co-wrote the chapter “Evidence-Based Practice and Accountability” in the Guidelines for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in the California Public Schools published by the California Department of Education and is SIPT certified (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests).  Suzanne has been prominently featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and appears in on-air news segments around the country regarding handwriting in today’s world.  Suzanne spent eight years at the Beverly Hills Unified School District practicing as a school based OT, has been a National Presenter for Learning Without Tears since 2008 and currently has a private pediatric OT practice in Beverly Hills and the surrounding neighborhoods.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears*

Dr. Peter Giroux is a full time tenured Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Northeast Louisiana University in 1987. He has a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences (MHS) from Mississippi College and a Doctoral degree (PhD) in Clinical Health Sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is also a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA). He holds certifications in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and LWT. He has numerous presentations, publications and research projects in the areas of: occupational therapy; handwriting evaluation, intervention and instruction; keyboarding evaluation, intervention and instruction; play based instruction, assessment and intervention; universal design and environmental adaptations; vision, visual perception and visual motor skills in the classroom and clinic; executive functioning and universal design for learning; and assistive technology.  In addition to academic responsibilities, he remains an active practitioner by providing occupational therapy services and assistive technology services in a school-based setting in his hometown of Madison, MS. He has all-encompassing experience serving students with special and exceptional needs in addition to typically developing students. He has utilized LWT programs since 1995 with children of all ages in both public and private schools as well as with children in both regular and special education settings. Peter has been a National Workshop Presenter and consultant for LWT since March of 2000 providing training throughout the United States as well as international presentations and educational workshops.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he is an employee*

Meghan L. Fisher, MS, OTR/L received her Master of Science degree from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA in 2002. She has experience in providing services to children in a variety of settings, including school based practice, early intervention and private tutoring. Meghan has attended all three HWT workshops, including one taught by Jan Olsen herself, as well as the Advanced Advocacy Training (AAT) weekend. She is Level 1 certified. In June of 2009, she became a National Workshop Presenter for LWT. Meghan has proudly represented LWT at various trade shows since 2005. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys running marathons, yoga and riding horses. She is thrilled to be a National Presenter and Trade Show Specialist for LWT, sharing the program with parents, teachers, and therapists in the United States.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives salaries from St. Catherine University and Valley Health Home Health where she is an employee*

Lindsay Amey received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Western Ontario in 2005. From 2005-2018, she worked as a school health therapist with Closing the Gap Healthcare Group in Collingwood, ON. In 2006, she received her training and certification in the LWT Pre-K through Grade 5 curriculum as well as in the administration of the Print Tool Assessment. Lindsay has had great success using the Learning Without Tears curriculum in consultation with schools, school boards and families as well as working one-to-one with children aged 3-21 yrs. She was thrilled to join the LWT team as a Canadian National Presenter in 2010. Realizing her passion for teaching and inspiring adult learners, Lindsay joined the faculty at Georgian College, as part of the OTA/PTA program in 2016. In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys hiking, travelling, mountain biking and downhill skiing. She feeds her passion coaching Special Olympics skiing and building wheelchairs as a volunteer for Team Canada Healing Hands’ International seating clinics.

*Receives a speaking fee from Learning Without Tears and receives a salary from Georgian College where she is a faculty member*