Staff Spotlight: Ms. Esther Park

Meet Our Occupational Therapist Esther Park (she/her)!   

Where did you grow up and what brought you to Tobin? 
In many places, but mainly South Korea, Ohio, and Tennessee. Just before I came to the east coast, I was living and working in Los Angeles as a school-based occupational therapist. I moved to Boston a few years ago when my partner started a PhD program there. I knew that I wanted to keep working in schools and was lucky enough to find a position first at the Peabody School, and shortly after at Tobin.

What is your role at Tobin?
I’m an occupational therapist, which means that I use meaningful activities (occupations) to facilitate skill development across a variety of areas (including but so much more than fine motor skills!) so that students can fully participate in their school day. This could look like getting hands strong enough to use classroom materials, developing adequate body awareness to navigate around obstacles in a classroom, or modifying the environment to make it easier to wash hands.

What is your favorite time of year?
The euphoric time when buds and flowers come out in the spring!

Who was your favorite teacher at school and why?
This is a difficult question – so many of my teachers have left a lasting impact on my life. The first one I can remember is my first grade teacher in Korea. I was a very shy kid and started in my classroom later than most of my peers. My teacher made it okay for me to participate in lessons and develop friendships at my own pace.

Skiing in Aspen or sunning in the tropics? 
Hmm, neither… I prefer a hike to a waterfall.

What is a hobby you have outside of school? 
Dancing – my weekly modern/jazz dance class is a firmly protected time in my schedule.

Favorite movie? 
I watched My Neighbor Totoro on loop as a kid and still love it today.

Dark or milk chocolate? 
Dark chocolate