For Madeline Schnabel, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapy allows her to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives by helping them build essential skills through engaging, play-based methods that make learning fun and effective.
Finding Her Path to Occupational Therapy
Maddy’s interest in the healthcare field was sparked early on by her mother, a surgical nurse. However, she knew that nursing wasn’t the right fit for her. “I knew I wanted to work with people in a meaningful way, and I wanted something fun and interactive,” she said.
While she was pursuing her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Heidelberg University, Maddy had the opportunity to observe an occupational therapist working with preschool children. That’s when she said she found her niche. “I liked the idea of helping kids learn new skills—versus helping elderly patients relearn skills. It really spoke to me,” she said.
She attended The University of Toledo for her doctorate level-degree, earning national NBCOT certification and Ohio licensure, along with a graduate certificate for teaming in early childhood.
A Day in the Life of a School-Based OT
Now in her third year on the job, Maddy is employed through the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West (ESCLEW), but her assignment has always been at Waterville Primary. She said each day looks different, as she adapts her instruction to the unique needs of the approximately 45 students she supports.
“I work on the specific objectives and goals of the students, helping them with fine motor, visual motor, sensory processing, executive functioning, and other skills,” she said. “Each session is different, based on the students’ objectives and goals.”
Her approach is multi-sensory and engaging, with the activities often working on multiple skills at one time. Using building materials like pipe cleaners, beads and cotton balls as well as play based activities like puzzles and games, Maddy is always looking for new ways to encourage student participation.
“I find I get the most buy-in when there’s a play-based element to it,” she said. “If we practice letters with shaving cream or build them with Legos, kids are much more engaged. Plus, if I can develop that fun rapport with them, they are more likely to try to tackle increasingly challenging activities.”
There is a purpose behind all that fun and skills practice. Maddy said that even though a task may look simple, there are a lot of steps and thinking behind it. She used the example of coloring.
“I’m a kid at heart and I enjoy doing the activity alongside them, but if I talk about helping a student with a coloring task, some people may think I just spend my day coloring with kids,” she explained. “But there are a lot of problem solving and intentional elements to practice, like holding the crayon correctly with one hand while stabilizing the paper with the other, not pushing too hard or too soft, and maintaining control to stay within the lines.”
Maddy said that through these activities, she always strives to help students access their education in a way that is useful and meaningful to them.
Collaboration and Problem-Solving
Maddy said supporting students' growth and development is a team effort. She works alongside teachers, parents and other school staff to discuss a student’s goals and progress and collaborate on identifying and closing skill gaps.
“Each child has their own team, and responds differently to the resources we use. I love problem-solving with teachers to find creative solutions that help students succeed,” she said. “If a teacher notices a student struggling, they reach out, and together we determine strategies that make learning more accessible.”
She encourages parents to communicate openly with their child’s teacher if they have concerns.
“Teachers know their grade levels so well, and they can provide insight into what’s typical for a child’s age,” Maddy said. “Sometimes all you need is just a new tip or strategy to strengthen a skill.”
Making a Lasting Impact
The most fulfilling part of Maddy’s work is when a student discovers they have mastered a skill that they couldn’t do before. And she uses that momentum to build upon that success to keep students engaged and motivated to tackle their next goal.
“When a student goes from struggling to write their name independently—to writing it on everything—it’s an incredible shared moment of success,” she said. “Celebrating the little wins is what makes working in education so exciting.”
In addition to her daily work with students, Maddy helped launch Waterville Primary’s Friday Snack Cart, an initiative that teaches students valuable life skills such as communication, functional math and problem-solving.
“The students take orders, fill them, and deliver snacks to staff members,” she explained. “It’s been a fantastic way to incorporate real-world skills into their education, and the staff really enjoys the interaction with students too.”
A Supportive Community
Though she is not originally from the area, Maddy feels right at home at Waterville Primary.
“I live outside the community and am an ESC employee, but I have never felt like an outsider,” she said. “There’s such a great team mentality here. My colleagues have become my friends, and the camaraderie we share makes all the difference.”
For Maddy, occupational therapy is not just about teaching skills—it’s about empowering students to be future ready in a way that is engaging, meaningful and fun. Her dedication and passion are truly making a difference for students at Waterville Primary.
“Nothing beats seeing a child accomplish something they didn’t think they could do. That pride they feel is priceless,” she said. “It’s rewarding for them and helps them realize the motto that we use - together, we can do hard things!”