Jennifer
Washko

Dr. Jennifer Washko OTR/L has been an occupational therapist in the Tunkhannock Area School
District for the past 25 years. She has been immersed in pediatric practice, and early intervention.
She is an alum of Misericordia University. In addition to being a school-based occupational
therapy practitioner, Dr. Washko has been on faculty at Misericordia University in the
Occupational Therapy department for the last 18 years. She teaches a variety of courses
including theory, occupational science, school-based practice, capstone, etc. She does national
service with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) serving as Pathways Lead
for the Academic Education Special Interest Section (AESIS) coordinating the New Educators
Mentoring Program connecting new OT faculty with seasoned expert mentors nationally. She
also served on the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) as recorder of
District III for two terms. Dr. Washko was a part of a task force that wrote school-based practice
guidelines for occupational therapy in Pennsylvania. Dr. Washko also served on the Big Brothers
and Big Sisters Board for ten years. She has a vested interest in serving the children of youth of
Wyoming County, making and cultivating space for their leisure and occupational pursuits. As an
occupational therapist, she is a mental health professional committed to prevention, mental
health awareness, and wellness. Her research agenda includes mentoring, Occupational
Adaptation Theory, and Onboarding clinicians to be academicians. She has presented these
topics nationally and internationally. Dr. Washko lives in Swoyersville, Pa. with her husband,
Jimmy. Together, they own West Side Functional Fitness, a fitness center promoting health and
wellness across the lifespan.