In the evolving landscape of educational support, one name stands out in the Pickerington Local School District. Penny Olmstead has been recognized with the prestigious national Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification issued by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). This distinction underscores the utmost standards for professionals committed to aiding individuals with disabilities. Olmstead, who operates as the Assistive Technology Coordinator for PLSD, joins an elite group of certified professionals, considering that the ATP examination tends to boast a mere 66% pass rate, according to the Pickerington Local School District's announcement.
A commitment to inclusion sparked early for Olmstead when, as a teenager, she began volunteering with Special Education students. Her career, now celebrating over four decades, began with roles ranging from a WSI/Adapted Aquatics Instructor to her long-standing work with adults and children across the ability spectrum. This commitment to support and enable students has grown alongside her expertise. “I am very humbled to have achieved this and confident I can serve the PLSD school community and their families,” Olmstead told Pickerington Local Schools.
Her qualifications don't end with the ATP certification, as Olmstead has recently completed a graduate certificate in Assistive Technology from Bowling Green State University. Angela Raquepaw, the Director of Academic Innovation and Instructional Technology for PLSD, noted Olmstead's “knowledge base and expertise are truly indispensable to Pickerington Local Schools.” Olmstead's approach involves both an intricate understanding of technological needs and a balanced consideration of financial stewardship, taking “great pride in supporting individual students and meeting their needs, while also ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer money for Assistive Technology,” she emphasized in discussions with the Pickerington Local School District.
The impact of Olmstead’s work cannot be understated. It's through her daily dedication and problem-solving capabilities that students with diverse needs navigate the educational landscape with greater ease and empowerment. Reflecting on her essential role, Olmstead has been quoted in the district's news as saying through PLSD, "Certification promotes best practices in the field and provides a basis for trusting a certified individual's work.” Her expansive experience and passion have not only elevated the lives of many within the PLSD but also reflect the broader values of innovation and inclusion within academic communities. Congratulations to Penny Olmstead are in order, as is gratitude for her unwavering dedication to enhancing the educational experiences of PLSD students and their families.
