--- title: Building Behavioral Systems That Last in a Tribal Nation image: https://nova-education.org/hubfs/IMG_EB5061105C35-1.jpeg --- [![](https://nova-education.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOVA_Logo_Navy_Horiz-2.png?width=799&height=259&name=NOVA_Logo_Navy_Horiz-2.png)](https://www.nova-education.org?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://nova-education.org/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Services](https://nova-education.org/services?hsLang=en) - [Join Us](https://nova-education.org/joinus?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://nova-education.org/contactus?hsLang=en) # Consultant Journeys # Falling Back in Love with OT: Emily's Story ### Present at work, present at home. --- ![1-2](https://nova-education.org/hubfs/1-2.png "1-2") I spent the first eight years of my career working in a mix of pediatric outpatient clinics, with a few school contracts sprinkled in. I absolutely loved working through this lens of OT and supporting kids and families from a completely holistic perspective. However, the toll of keeping up with productivity standards, poor management in some clinics, and even the mindset of, *“I’ve played all day; I have nothing left for my own kids,”* left me completely burned out and contemplating a career change. Then, in 2023, I did a complete 180 and began consulting for an assistive technology company—a role I still have today. I felt like a new grad again, learning how to help people gain access, increase independence, and participate as fully as possible in their own homes, from birth through the end of life. I gained so much knowledge in this area that I found myself falling back in love with my profession. While contracting with this company, I launched my own private in-home therapy business. Simultaneously, I was approached by a NOVA member I had previously worked with in a school district about filling in during a maternity leave. The rest is history! I have loved the balance, flexibility, and autonomy that NOVA has allowed me to have in my career. It has given me the ability to stay professionally stimulated while also pursuing work outside of the traditional school-based model and giving me the ability to be a more intentional and available wife and mother again. I enjoy providing in-person treatment, but just as much, I love mentoring fellow colleagues, educating school staff, challenging the status quo, and finding ways to make processes more efficient for myself and others. # More Consultant Journey's ![Professional woman seated and smiling](https://nova-education.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Annie-35%20(1).jpg?width=350&height=344&name=Annie-35%20(1).jpg "Professional woman seated and smiling") ## From Clinic to Classroom ### Hear from two speech-language pathologists who made the move to school-based work through NOVA, and what they found on the other side. #### [Read more](https://nova-education.org/fromclinictoclassroom?hsLang=en) ![21f67ee66b3cac33](https://nova-education.org/hs-fs/hubfs/21f67ee66b3cac33.jpeg?width=350&height=350&name=21f67ee66b3cac33.jpeg "21f67ee66b3cac33") ## Her Company, Our Support: Sarah's Story ### With NOVA's help finding contracts that fit her schedule, Sarah grew her own practice while staying present for her family. #### [Read more](https://nova-education.org/her-company-our-support-sarahs-story?hsLang=en) # Ready to get connected? ### Book a meeting with us [Meet with us](https://stan.store/novaeducation/p/meet-with-us) [![](https://nova-education.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NOVA_Logo_Navy_Horiz-2.png?width=799&height=259&name=NOVA_Logo_Navy_Horiz-2.png)](https://www.nova-education.org?hsLang=en) 1275 Ramsey Street #100 Shakopee, MN 55379 ### [Partner with Us](https://stan.store/novaeducation/p/meet-with-us) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/novaeducationconsultants) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nova_education_consultants/) [Connect with us on Linktree](https://linktr.ee/nova_education_consultants) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/NOVA-Education-Consultants-61581191693343/) #### Quick Links - [Meet with us](https://stan.store/novaeducation/p/book-a-free-15min-intro-call) - [Book a school consult](https://stan.store/novaeducation/p/meet-with-us) - [New Consultant Guide](https://stan.store/novaeducation/p/get-our-new-consultant-guide-karthiof) - [Courses and downloads](https://stan.store/novaeducation) - [About Us](https://nova-education.org/about-us) - [Services](https://nova-education.org/services) - [Join Us](https://nova-education.org/joinus) - [Contact Us](https://nova-education.org/contactus) ### Sign Up For Our Newsletter Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. | [Privacy Policy](https://nova-education.org/hubfs/NEC%20Privacy%20Policy.pdf?hsLang=en)