Vickie Mara, left, heard about the OTA Program from Pam Martin, a graduate of the program who also works with Round Rock ISD.

When Vickie Mara selected a career path, the Round Rock mom, school volunteer, and now Austin Community College graduate decided not only what, but where, she wanted to be.

“I wanted to be out helping kids with special needs, so I enrolled in the ACC Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant Program,” says Mara. “And I did my clinical training in the Round Rock School District because I told my instructors, ‘that’s where I’m going to work someday.’ ”

Mara graduated from ACC in 2005 and has become a vital member of the Round Rock ISD special education team.

Of all the helping professions, occupational therapy is arguably the least understood.

“OTs and OT assistants are the part of the rehabilitative team that focus on quality of life,” says Carolyn Cantu, chair of ACC’s OT Assistant Program. “They work with individuals who have physical, mental, or developmental health issues to help them learn adaptive skills to enhance their independence or learning.”

Occupational therapists must have a minimum of a master’s degree, and the nearest training program is in Galveston. OT assistant certification can be obtained with an associate degree, available at ACC.

Mara was working as a classroom aide at Spicewood Elementary School when she started to consider occupational therapy as a career. A friend of hers graduated from ACC’s OT Assistant Program and had only good things to say.

It took Mara two years from start to finish to earn her associate degree. Besides Round Rock ISD she also gained field experience at the Texas State School for the Blind, a long-term care unit, and an assisted-living facility.

“I felt like I could go out and do any of those fields,” she says. “But Round Rock called me right away when a position opened.”

Today, Mara works under the supervision of a district occupational therapist who evaluates each student and determines a treatment plan. Mara then administers the plan and reports progress or any changes to the therapist, who can decide to continue or readjust the treatment plan as needed.

She travels among six schools, including Spicewood, to work with 35 students with special needs.

“I love my job,” Mara says. “It’s perfect for me.”

Click here for information on the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.