It takes a special person to work with children. When it comes to working as a speech language pathologist with students in the school setting, it takes even more. These experts pair a passion for service with a high level of specialized training.
We asked our school-based speech language pathologists why they love what they do for an ongoing series we call “What is your why?”
Amy Cherry
My ‘why’ is because I want to be the advocate for my students. To say to the teachers, ‘Let me tell you why he does that, and how it impacts what he does in class…” or to make suggestions during IEP meetings or to teachers that may help a student perform in areas outside the realm of ‘speech therapy.’
Teachers often don’t understand how speech/language deficits impact other academic areas. I feel like I have to be an advocate because in the Title 1 Schools I’ve been in, oftentimes I am the only one who will advocate for them.
Plus, I love ‘loving’ them and putting a smile on their faces. (For some students, I may be the ONLY person who shows them love that day.)
And of course, there’s the obvious… I do it to help them improve their skills. 🙂
Sharon Calvino
I believe that every single person is God’s wonderful creation and that He made them for a reason with gifts and abilities. I am an SLP so I can be a person in my clients’ lives who believes in them and brings out the best in them!
Mackenzie Langston
My biggest “why” for being a speech therapist is “Everyone has a story to tell!” This was something I learned from one of my professors in graduate school and it has resonated and stuck with me ever since! Every story is beautiful and everyone should have an opportunity to tell their story!
