With CSEA President, Charles McNutly, who championed my case.
CSEA Unit 7551 is the Levittown Unit of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), operating under the Nassau Education Local 865 in New York. This union unit represents non-instructional school district staff, such as office personnel, aides, and operational workers in the Levittown Public Schools network. It also includes Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists.
It Took 23 Years to Become an Overnight Success
June 18, 2026 — I’m walking into our union ratification vote today to cast a resounding “YES.” And I’ve got company — our two newest district therapists are walking in right beside me.
But before we get to the celebration, I want to be entirely real with you about how we got here.
The Reality Check
For over two decades, I was the only OT in my district. I have felt deeply dejected. I have felt frustrated. For a lot of those years, I felt like I was screaming into a void, trying to explain why clinical CEUs — why our advanced clinical education — deserved to be recognized the same way it is for every other professional sitting in that building.
There was no glamour in it. Just years of showing up, presenting data, and getting nowhere.
The Lesson on Timing and Leadership
Here’s what I learned: advocacy isn’t just about having the best argument. It’s about timing, priorities, and leadership.
This win didn’t happen the moment I had a good case — I had a good case for years. It happened when our CSEA Local board and president stopped just nodding their heads and actually stepped up. They took our data, made us a priority at the bargaining table, and fought for us. I am immensely grateful for that partnership. Sometimes advocacy means waiting for the right leadership to show up — and making sure you’re ready with your data when they do.
The Message to New OTPs & PTs
To the new generation of OTPs and PTs, and to any school-based therapist who feels stuck or ignored by their district: keep showing up. Keep gathering your data.
Change takes an agonizingly long time. But if you walk away, the door closes for good.
Look at who’s walking into this vote with me today — our two newest district therapists. They get to start their careers with the equity I spent 23 years fighting for. And that makes every single moment of the grind worth it. 🥂💼
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, we walked in and cast our votes — and it passed! 🥂
If you want to hear the full story of how this win came together, get my robust handouts, where I walk you through all the information you need and exactly how I did it, step-by-step. And watch the free webinar replay that I held July 9, 2026, to answer questions and discuss how it all went down. Be sure to fill out the forms below, and then, check your email!