Spring 2021 Interns

Last week we introduced you to Paige our Occupational Therapy Intern. If you missed that introduction, it can be seen here.

We’re excited to share that we have 2 additional interns with us this spring.

Please help us welcome Annika & Emily!

Annika is a psychology major under the pre-Occupational Therapy Track at Augustana College, graduating in May of 2022. She is in her third year of undergraduate studies and is also pursuing minors in Spanish and Music. Through working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, Annika found her desire to advocate for children with disabilities. She has worked as an Inclusion Companion for the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, participating as a one-on-one camp counselor to assist children with disabilities at park district summer day camps. On-campus, Annika is very involved in the music community, participating in two music ensembles.

While at GiGi’s Playhouse, Annika will be assisting in the facilitation of education and activities for Playhouse participants. She is hoping to widen her experiences for her future career as an occupational therapist. Throughout the coming months, she will be working as a Math Tutor. She has also been an avid dancer for most of her life, which will help in her endeavor to co-organize and oversee a spring dance program at the Playhouse!

Emily is a senior at St. Ambrose University studying behavioral neuropsychology and graduating in May of 2021. She is also pursuing minors in Spanish, biology, and sociology. Emily found her passion for working with individuals with disabilities in high school when her brother was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. During the summer, she works for Northern Will County Special Recreation Association as a program assistant and adult day program staff. She is currently waiting to hear back from a few graduate programs as she would like to continue her education in clinical neuropsychology. She is heavily involved on campus as a tutor, the president of St. Ambrose’s psychology club, the community service chair for their campus activities board, and the sponsorship chair for St. Ambrose’s Dance Marathon. She also spends her time creating fun and interactive events for Special Olympics Iowa athletes in the surrounding areas as president of their Teaching and Promoting All Disability Awareness (ADAPT) club.

While at GiGi’s Playhouse, Emily will be assisting in the facilitation of education and activities for Playhouse participants. She is excited for this opportunity in order to broaden her knowledge and understanding for her future career as a pediatric clinical neuropsychologist. Emily is currently working as a Literacy Tutor and is helping to co-organize and oversee a spring dance program with Annika at the Playhouse.

We know the students that these two are tutoring are going to have successful sessions and we can’t wait to see some of our school-age friends participate in the dance program that they are planning. Visit the calendar to learn more and to sign-up!