Hi, I’m Shana.
I believe people do well when they can—and that seeking to understand changes everything.
As a school-based pediatric physical therapist, educator, and mom, I've spent years asking the same question in classrooms, therapy sessions, and around my own kitchen table:
What's getting in the way?
That question has changed the way I see learning, behavior, participation, and relationships. It's also the foundation of The NEST Collective.
How I Got Here
I didn't set out to become an executive function educator.
Like many parents, I was simply trying to better understand the children in my own home. As our family grew through foster care, then adoption and birth, and I navigated the joys and challenges of raising neurodivergent kids, I found myself searching for answers that went beyond behavior charts and reward systems.
At the same time, I was working as a pediatric physical therapist in schools. The more I learned about executive function, the more I realized I wasn't seeing two separate worlds—I was seeing the same patterns everywhere.
Students who wanted to succeed but couldn't get started.
Educators who cared deeply but felt stuck.
Families trying everything they knew, yet wondering why it still wasn't working.
Executive function became the missing lens that connected it all.
What I Believe
People do well when they can.
Curiosity is more helpful than judgment.
Behavior is information—not character.
The environment matters just as much as the individual.
When we understand why something is difficult, we can build supports that allow people to participate, learn, and thrive.
That's the work I love most—helping people see familiar challenges through a different lens so new possibilities become visible.
My Background
I'm a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 15 years of experience supporting children, educators, and school teams across North Central Washington.
Today, I bring together my experience as a pediatric physical therapist, educator, presenter, and parent to help educators and families understand the executive function skills that shape everyday learning, behavior, and participation.
My professional development includes advanced training in executive function, sensory processing, motor development, and DIRFloortime®, and I regularly present to schools, conferences, and community organizations throughout the region.
Beyond the Work
Outside of office hours, you'll usually find me building miniatures, exploring creative projects, enjoying a good cup of coffee, or spending time with my wonderfully busy family.
Those creative moments aren't separate from my work—they're a reminder that meaningful learning often happens through curiosity, play, and making something with our hands.
Let's Learn Together
Whether you're leading a classroom, raising a child, or supporting a team- you're welcome here.
I'd love to hear what brought you here—and explore what's getting in the way. Together, we’ll build what matters.