Dana Lang, OTD, OTR/L

Began at Teachwell:

 2023

Why did you choose this field?

Prior to choosing occupational therapy (OT), I was considering careers in education, nursing, and art therapy. I learned that occupational therapy was a great combination of education, sciences, and art and I was hooked. Working as an occupational therapist has given me the opportunity to teach students and patients using science-based strategies and creative solutions to meet individual needs.

What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?

I am from Nebraska, so naturally I thought I was going to become a Husker cheerleader.

What or who most inspires you?

My family inspires me.

Why Teachwell?

As an OT, I always knew I wanted to end up within a school setting. I love the idea of getting to work with students to help them be successful not only within the classroom setting but also beyond the classroom. Prior to working at Teachwell I worked as a job coach, a home manager, and as an OT within a medical setting. Teachwell is the perfect marriage of the things I have done in the past as a job coach and home manager, things I was doing as an OT in an outpatient setting, and things I wanted to do as an OT in a school-setting. I love that Teachwell aims to meet the needs of students, staff, families, and school districts through creative and innovative means.

What are you proudest of?

I am most proud of my daughter and all the ways that she is learning and growing as well as my husband who is pursuing his dream to become a family physician.

How do you hope to make a difference?

I hope to make a difference for students, patients, educators, and families who may be facing challenges that impede their participation and engagement in daily activities.

What lessons has your work life taught you?

As a therapist you are often a person educators, staff, and parents come to for answers. While I've learned strategies and methods to help my students and patients both through my personal education and experience as a therapist, I've learned that often times I am still the one learning from my students and patients. As an occupational therapist I've learned that I will never stop learning and that is a really good thing. I look forward to helping my students and patients and learning from them on how to best aid their success.

What is your background? Experience, degrees, skills, etc.?

I am a University of South Dakota graduate with a Bachelor's in Health Sciences and an emphasis in Interdisciplinary Sciences and Interprofessional Disability Services. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I worked as a job coach and as a home manager at an agency that served adults with disabilities. As a job coach and as a home manager, I worked to help individuals gain independence in functional daily tasks within their work and home environments respectively. I returned to USD and graduated with my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis in Rural and Underserved populations. After graduation, I worked in an outpatient setting that served children with varied abilities and primarily worked with children with ASD. I am excited to work at Teachwell to serve students and families within the school setting and beyond.

People would be surprised to know that I . . .