We are so proud of Amanda Giles, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA for receiving the Distinguished Educator Award at AOTA Inspire 2025. This award recognizes her exceptional contributions to occupational therapy education through innovation, scholarship, mentorship, and service.

Her unique position as a tenured Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and Chief Innovation Officer with International Clinical Educators allows her to create authentic and engaging teaching resources that transform learning in and beyond her classroom.

Dr. Giles “is a leader in the use of educational technology, has designed widely cited educational protocols and resources, led educational research, mentored faculty worldwide, and disseminated findings nationally and internationally." 

Nominators, Patty Coker-Bolt, PhD, OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA and Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

“Her willingness to be available, help, educate is unmatched. I felt challenged by and equipped for every assignment.”

OTD Student

“She is genuine, approachable, and enthusiastic…she is the best professor I’ve ever had! She encourages us to think critically and is flexible in how she presents information so that everyone in the room can understand.”

OTD Student

A Message from ICE Founder Jan Davis:

WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’VE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION…

I was a student in the second year of my OT Program at the University of Puget Sound, and I remember sitting in classes, carefully studying each faculty, as I followed their lectures and practice labs. Some were great at presenting well-organized information. Other faculty clearly had the clinical skills and experience, but were less skilled in presenting their content.

I found myself wondering: What makes a great educator? For the next several decades I continued observing educators; in classes, workshops, and at national conferences. The skills needed to be a great educator have intrigued me throughout my career.

In the last decade of my career, I met Amanda Giles. I watched her present many times at our national AOTA Conferences and Education Summits. We worked together on several projects for the company I had founded in 1983, International Clinical Educators (ICE). When it was time to ‘pass the baton,’ I knew she was the one. And I knew it was the right decision!

Congratulations Amanda!