Alex Ogle MA '13 was honored by her employer, TherapyTravelers, with a February Spotlight Award, recognizing her as an outstanding employee.
Ogle was selected from more than 80,000 to be honored. TherapyTravelers honors two employees a month who follow the company's core values of community, teamwork, excellent and acknowledgement.
How do you feel about winning the award?
I was shocked because I didn't think anyone would really know me in the small state of Delaware, where I work. I just started working with this company in August 2019 and it has been a beautiful challenge. I had to immerse myself into an environment that was not familiar or what I was used to, but I quickly came to love everything about it. I know that what I am doing (even if it happens in baby steps) is making an impact on the students. The company is more than supportive and has been the best fresh air in my career I could have asked for.
When did you graduate from Moore and what was your degree?
I graduated from Moore in 2013. I was part of the MA in Art Education and Special Populations program and my thesis was "Art Educational Practices: Fostering Self Control and Improving Focus for Students Coping with Anxiety." I really owe this program, especially my class and Lynne Horoschak '66, everything for where I am right now. It opened my eyes to what I really wanted to do with my career and what population I wanted to work with.
What is TherapyTravelers?
This is a company where special education people, therapists, counselors, speech language pathologists, etc., can travel or be contracted to work at different schools. I am one of their first art educators. They also have an art therapist and are looking to expand in this area. Right now we're all providing teletherapy (because of the coronavirus).
What do you do for your company?
I teach at about 12 schools in the Brandywine School District, at alternative schools or in emotional support classrooms. With the alternative schools, I work with high-risk populations and am able to provide them a credit for the course while focusing on projects that are more therapeutic. With the emotional support classrooms, it's sort of the same except it isn't a credit-based program, just a therapy session for the students to engage in art, experiment and relax! I also have students that I work one-on-one with and that is directed by the district's licensed therapist to target certain goals. Overall, it has been really amazing and 100 percent rewarding.
Watch Alex Ogle in an interview with TherapyTravelers here.
See Ogle's art here.
