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In school-based therapy, progress often comes from more than practice and repetition. Sometimes, the most meaningful breakthroughs happen through connection; the small, human moments that remind us why this work matters so much.
For COTA/L Audrey, one such moment came from a story that began nearly a century ago.
Audrey’s grandmother, who is 97-years-young, recently passed down something very meaningful to her, a cherished lighthouse collection. Out of her grandmother’s 16 grandchildren, Audrey was the one chosen to inherit the beautiful pieces.
“I always loved and admired her collection of lighthouses, but never thought I’d be the grateful grandchild out of all the others to receive her beautiful collection that will forever and always remind me of her.”
Not long after receiving the collection, Audrey discovered something surprising: one of her students, who typically did not prefer handwriting activities, also collected lighthouses.
Excited by the coincidence, Audrey reached out to the student’s mother to share the story and asked if she could bring one of her inherited lighthouses to show him.
“I was over-the-moon excited to let his mom know that I could bring in one of my newly inherited lighthouses to show her son!”
The student responded with a thoughtful gesture of his own by bringing one of his lighthouses to school to share with Audrey.
“Well, wouldn’t you know that this student was so thoughtful and decided to bring in one of his lighthouses to showcase to me — and our two lighthouses were just about matching!”
The two compared their lighthouses together, talking about their similarities and differences.
“We let them sit on the table and be ‘friends’ with one another and ‘watch’ him work on his handwriting.”
The student who often avoided handwriting suddenly became engaged and motivated.
“You should have seen him write!”
And what topic inspired him?
“Of course, he wrote about lighthouses!”
During their conversation, Audrey discovered that the student had quite an impressive knowledge of lighthouses. His parents later shared that he had even climbed several real-life lighthouses.
What had once been a challenging task turned into a meaningful and enjoyable activity all because of a shared interest and a moment of connection.
For Audrey, this experience added a new layer of meaning to the lighthouse collection she had inherited.
“Not only will lighthouses forever and always remind me of my grandmother, but now they will forever and always remind me of this kind, caring, and thoughtful student. My job is all about encouraging, supporting, and making meaningful connections with the students that I so gratefully have the opportunity to serve — and this student was the one who reached out and made the meaningful connection with me!”
In occupational therapy, progress isn’t always measured only in goals or data points. It’s also found in the relationships therapists build with students including trust, shared interests, and small moments that create motivation and confidence.
Sometimes all it takes is a lighthouse (or two!) to guide the way.
“I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity to get to work with the schools and students that I do — thank you from the bottom of my very full heart.”
Stories like Audrey’s remind us that when therapists meet students where their interests and passions live, learning can truly shine. Just like a lighthouse, those moments can light the path forward.
“I wanted to take a moment to pass along a sweet moment from February 2026 from the district that I serve. This story goes back almost 100 years ago – you’ll see why in a moment!
My Grandma, who is 97-years-young, recently let me – one of her 16 grandchildren – inherit her lighthouse collection. I always loved & admired her collection of lighthouses, but never thought I’d be the grateful grandchild out of all the others to receive her beautiful collection that will forever and always remind me of her.
I recently found out that one of my students who, handwriting is not always a preferred activity for, also has a collection of lighthouses. I was over-the-moon excited to let his mom know that I could bring in one of my newly inherited lighthouses to show her son!
Well, wouldn’t you know that this student was so thoughtful and decided to bring in one of his lighthouses to showcase to me – and our two lighthouses were just about matching! We talked about both the similarities and the differences between our two lighthouses (more similarities than differences!) and let them sit on the table and be “friends” with one another and “watch” him work on his handwriting.
You should have seen him write!
And just what do you think he wrote about?
Of course, he wrote about lighthouses!
I discovered he knows quite a bit about lighthouses, and in the course of conversation with his parents, I found out he even had the opportunity to climb several real-life lighthouses.
Not only will lighthouses forever and always remind me of my grandmother, but now they will forever and always remind me of this kind, caring, & thoughtful student.
My job is all about encouraging, supporting, and making meaningful connections with the students that I so gratefully have the opportunity to serve – and this student was the one who reached out and made the meaningful connection with me! I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity to get to work with the schools & students that I do – thank you from the bottom of my very full heart!”
~Audrey COTA/L
