I enjoy serving children and families through communication because I feel that the confidence and skill to communicate is everyone’s right. Communication permeates all aspects of our lives and is a way for us to access the world around us. I have always worked in fields that help to empower, especially vulnerable populations. I enjoy working with different cultures and people.

I believe that every child no matter their disability, social or economic status, or geographical location has the right to communicate to the best of their ability and to receive high-quality services. I am passionate about advocating for those in need. I love working with children and their families, and I enjoy the unique challenges of this very special job. I also love playing with play-doh all day!

Because I’ve been that parent who just wanted my child to be able to tell me about his day. I’m here to help so your child can, too. Because I’ve been that parent worried sick that my child wouldn’t make friends. I’m here to help those friendships blossom. Because I’ve been that parent that felt shunned by a society that didn’t understand my child. I’m here to work as a team because together, we can build a more inclusive and welcoming community where our children can thrive.

Every child with special needs deserves the chance to be able to do what it is that is both meaningful and purposeful to them. It is so special to see a child’s joy and gratification with succeeding in a meaningful activity or task. Helping to facilitate a child’s ability to engage in activities is more than rewarding.

Communication underlies nearly every experience in our lives. Helping to enable and improve communication for another is to optimize their overall living experience. Therefore, supporting others to achieve their potential only brings further diversity to this world that we share, and as a result, improves the living experience for us all.

Access to a full and enriching educational experience is essential for all students! I find pure joy in walking this path with teams and playing a role in developing comprehensive support systems to get all students to their graduation!

During my husband’s military career (and constant moving/uncertainty) I have always been able to count on the personal joy and success I feel when I work with individuals to provide support to those needing/wanting it for their present and future wellbeing. I feel, as a member of society, we should always strive to promote acceptance of faults and motivate others in bringing out their confidence and skills. Seeing an individual improve their abilities to communicate is such a powerful thing to witness.

I am a nurturer so whether it’s my plants, cats, pug, husband, or friends, my loved ones get me out of bed every day. I became a Speech-Language Pathologist because I did not begin learning English until I was fourteen years old and understand what it feels like to be misunderstood or unable to express my needs and wants. My passion for working with K-12 students is borne out of my own communication history in public schools.

The ability to communicate effectively plays a large role in determining our access to the world around us. I enjoy determining and using the strengths of each individual student to encourage them to be the most successful communicator they can be, in whatever form that may take. I am passionate about working with students and families, and love being a part of their achievements no matter how big or small.

I support speech and language development to spread the word that there are many different ways to successfully communicate. Meaningful connection and interdependence contribute to successful communication. I believe in providing accommodations, supporting growth, advocating, and acknowledging strengths so that each and every person’s differences are honored, respected, and celebrated.

I truly believe that it takes a village. Having the opportunity to make a positive difference in one’s own community is where true change is sparked, and for me, that opportunity is helping children improve their communication and expression through speech therapy. I hope to make a lasting impact on each child I work with so that they feel confident in knowing that they have the knowledge, ability, and support to successfully engage and grow within their environment.

I believe that each and every human being on this planet has a great desire and need to be expressed, to be able to share their thoughts and needs, to develop a sense of belonging and inclusiveness with others. Without language, we lose our ability to communicate and without this ability, we cannot prosper as humans. I think that I am blessed to be a part of an amazing community of SLPs who dedicate their time and resources to helping other human beings to be full and complete.

School is the second most important part of a child’s life, after family. Growing up volunteering as a camp counselor, I knew I wanted to work with kids but never thought I could be a teacher, with all respect to teachers because that is a hard job! When I learned about school psychology it sounded like the perfect combination of working with individual students while supporting staff to improve outcomes for all kids. My approach to school psychology is evidence-based, systems-level, and oriented to social justice. School psychologists can do that!

Instilling a sense of confidence among all of my students is an ultimate aspiration of mine. I believe every single person should be loved and cherished for their unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Creating a more inclusive and accessible world is something we should all strive to achieve.