Platypus Opportunities

Bio

Dr. Robin Pearson, EdD

Robin received her Doctorate from Creighton University in Interdisciplinary Educational Leadership in 2018 and National Honor Society Member. Her dissertation was: Investigating Understanding and Facilitation of Social Emotional Development at a Diverse Socio-Economic Status YMCA Preschool. She is a 2020 Fellow Graduate in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities Interdisciplinary Training Program from University of Southern California, LA Children’s Hospital. Collaborative interdisciplinary training focused on improving the health of children through the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Policy Project: Access to evidence-based mental health treatment for infants and toddlers.

Robin is a Certified Special Education Teacher in both California and Texas with over 10 years of classroom experience. She was the Intake Director for a pediatric clinic in California conducting interdisciplinary assessments and servicing young children with developmental delays. Dr. Pearson served as the Executive Director of the non-profit Shorkey Center in Southeast Texas. Through her tenure the Center offered a variety of opportunities for children with special needs; such as; clinical pediatric therapy, ABA therapy, non-public School, inclusive preschool, afterschool, and parent training. Additionally, the Center provided a host of specialty activities: dance, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and promoted adaptive cycling.

Robin has a master’s degree in kinesiology and a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy.

Robin has a rich history in gymnastics starting as a gymnast in central Illinois and beginning her coaching development at age 15. She has coached a myriad of programs, levels and locations including Central Illinois, Chicago, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and California. She is a USAG National Instructor and Co-author of USAG Brain & Body to serve children with special needs, and Hands on Management. She is a clinician and lecturer for Regional, National, and private programs. She was the Heritage Award Recipient from Gymnastics Association of Texas 2018.

Robin is dedicated to the growth and development of children, families, and to those that provide special services.

Robin earned her Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Educational Leadership from Creighton University in 2018 and is a member of the National Honor Society. Her dissertation, titled Investigating Understanding and Facilitation of Social Emotional Development at a Diverse Socio-Economic Status YMCA Preschool, reflects her commitment to advancing educational practices.

In 2020, Robin completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities (LEND) Interdisciplinary Training Program at the University of Southern California and LA Children’s Hospital. This collaborative training program, affiliated with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, focused on enhancing child health outcomes. For her policy project, she addressed access to evidence-based mental health treatment for infants and toddlers.

Robin holds certification as a Special Education Teacher in both California and Texas, bringing over a decade of classroom experience. She previously served as Intake Director for a pediatric clinic in California, conducting interdisciplinary assessments and supporting young children with developmental delays. Additionally, Dr. Pearson was Executive Director of the non-profit Shorkey Center in Southeast Texas, where she oversaw a range of services for children with special needs—including clinical pediatric therapy, ABA therapy, non-public schooling, inclusive preschool, afterschool programs, parent training, and various specialty activities such as dance, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and adaptive cycling.

Her academic credentials also include a master’s degree in kinesiology and a bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy.

With an extensive background in gymnastics, Robin began as a gymnast in central Illinois and started coaching at age 15. Her coaching career spans multiple states including Illinois, Chicago, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and California. She serves as a USAG National Instructor and co-authored USAG’s Brain & Body—a resource designed for children with special needs—as well as Hands on Management_. Robin frequently lectures and leads clinics at regional, national, and private events. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Heritage Award from the Gymnastics Association of Texas in 2018.

Robin is deeply committed to fostering growth and development among children, families, and professionals who provide special services. She has presented for numerous agencies, conferences, YMCAs, community organizations to promote inclusive settings.

The Remarkable Traits of the Platypus

A Unique Mammal with Fascinating Features

The platypus is a truly unique semi-aquatic mammal, renowned for its remarkable combination of characteristics. Its most distinctive feature is its duck-billed appearance—a flat, rubbery bill that enables it to detect prey using electroreception. The platypus also sports a beaver-like tail, which is flat and paddle-shaped, aiding in swimming and storing fat. Its otter-like body is cloaked in dense, waterproof fur, providing vital insulation from cold water. Adapted for an aquatic lifestyle, the platypus has webbed feet, with the front feet being fully webbed for strong propulsion, while the hind feet are only partially webbed. One unusual feature is the venomous spurs found on the hind legs of males, used primarily during mating season conflicts. In terms of size, the platypus is relatively small, with males averaging around 50 cm in length and 1.5 kg in weight, while females are somewhat smaller, as noted by the Queensland Government. Among its unique biological features, the platypus stands out as one of the few mammals that lays eggs. Unlike most mammals, it has no nipples; instead, females secrete milk through pores on their abdomen, which the young then lick up. The platypus’s bill is equipped with electroreceptors, allowing it to detect the electric fields generated by the muscle contractions of its prey. Interestingly, adult platypuses have no teeth, relying instead on gravel and the ridges of their bill to grind food. Finally, the platypus is a member of the rare group of egg-laying mammals known as monotremes, making it one of nature’s most fascinating evolutionary marvels.