Picture this... a girl who discovers the world of SLP and falls in love. She does her research and finds out the path is a rigorous one, but she knows she's capable. She's excited and scared and anxious. Now picture a 2 year old on her lap.
As I prep for my new SLP graduate clinician who starts this week, I sit reflecting on what I have learned as a supervisor as well as what I learned from my graduate placements years ago. I enlisted the help of some of my fellow SLP Bloggers to round out the Top 5 Pieces of Advice for both graduate clinicians and supervisors as you embark your school placement. Tip #1: Bring Your "A" Game It is such an exciting time as an SLP graduate clinician You are in the home stretch, a degree in Speech-Language Pathology is within arms' reach, yet you still have so much to learn. Take advantage of this time and take it seriously. Yes, you will likely be job hunting during your placement and may even secure employment during your experience. Think of this as your trial run. What work ethic legacy do you want to leave? You will likely remain in contact with your supervisor for many years to come. Earning a glowing reference goes a long way. On the flip side, if you are the supervisor the advice remains the same. Model the work ethic you want your clinician to emulate. Your graduate student is not there so you can kick your feet up and relax. At the beginning you may feel like a sportscaster, commenting on your every move. It can be exhausting, but know that it serves a greater purpose. Your student is there to learn from you and gain experience. Be present in the moment to give them the necessary feedback that may carry them throughout their career. The ripple effect is pretty awesome when you think about it! Tip #2: Invest in Your Students Graduate clinicians, get to know the students beyond what you read about them on paper. Interpersonal skills can make or break you as a therapist, both with coworkers and students. As people, we naturally work harder for those we like and feel are vested in our best interests. In graduate school you have studied theory and researched evidence based practice 24/7 which gives you the skills and knowledge base to practice as an SLP. However, I encourage you to make a conscious effort to get to know the student behind the data. That student is someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, their whole world. Hey, you never know, that student could be your colleague one day. As a supervisor, invest in your graduate clinician. Find out what they want to take away from the experience. What do they like to do outside of speech (imagine there is actually life outside of graduate school, haha)? Can they incorporate those hobbies/interests into their therapy sessions or use them to establish rapport with the kids? What are their needs in regards to treatment/evaluation hours? Finding out at the beginning of the placement is much easier than scrambling to meet them at the end. Tip #3: Tackle the Paperwork Kaylaslp says, "I wish my supervisor had showed me more of the ins and outs of paperwork. She mostly only had me do therapy. I needed more guidance on how to word things, both in reports and for Medicaid-- I only partially wrote 1 IEP while I was there. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance because later you'll wish you had!" Kayla, I completely agree. As a supervisor, I have been guilty in the past of not giving my students a heavy paperwork load. My intentions were to be helpful, but in the real world paperwork is a very time consuming part of our job which they need to experience while having access to constructive feedback. Tip #4: Ask Questions! Kristen from Talkin' with Twang advises, "You will have questions. You will need advice. You will need help at some point. Don't be afraid to ask. Your supervisors are there to guide you and continue the learning process. You won't know what to do in every situation and that's okay! Have confidence and enjoy every minute. You chose an excellent career!" Hallie with Speech TimeFun agrees, adding "I wish I knew to ask more questions and it was ok to not know it all!" YES!!! News Flash…. 16 years in and I STILL do not know it all. That is the one of the perks of our field. You should never stop learning and self-reflecting on your practice! Tip #5: Take Chances As a student, Felice from The Dabbling Speechie wished she took more chances and was okay with messing up, adding "I continue to mess up and that's when I have learned the most." As a supervisor, taking a clinician in January, Felice said that she hopes to "understand my student's learning and communication style, so I can give feedback and help in a way that is best for them to learn and feel comfortable." Susan from Kidz Learn Language added, “My supervisor came from a really rigid grad program where lesson plans were handed in weeks in advance. [...] I wasn't supposed to change the script to accommodate for the particular kids' needs, just change the kids.” In learning from the experience, when she has supervised students, “I've always tried to be open to their suggestions and to answer their questions as fully as possible. I don't believe in telling students (or a CF) to do it a certain way without explaining why and/or being open to other ideas. I also encourage asking questions. As often as needed, as many as needed. They're supposed to be learning from us, so I want to give them all I can.” Mandi from Panda Speech included, "As a student I wished my supervisors placed more emphasis on EBP. None of my supervisors even touched on it. As a result I have my students do a small EBP project every semester (I've been a supervisor for almost 5 years). I also wish my supervisors made a syllabus or guidelines (what to expect, policies, schedule, rules, etc.) I give a document like this to them before they begin and I also provide them with sample lesson plans." In the spirit of learning and pushing your limits, I have been stepping outside my comfort zone by stepping into the world of video. Click on the video above to watch the SLP Blogger Live show in which I break down this Top 5 List for you. P.S. Because great minds really do think alike, let me also share with you a link to Let's Talk Speech Therapy where Rachel shared her tips on Supervising SLP Students.
Watch my video about this topic: Every week I get multiple emails with questions about what it’s like to be a speech pathologist, how to become an SLP, and how to choose a graduate program. Figuring out which graduate school to attend is a difficult choice. However, there are two very important variables that you ... Read More about The Two Most Important Variables to Consider When Choosing a Graduate Program for Speech Therapy
Every time I ask this question on a public forum, I get a massive response. It seems this is a question that plagues a lot of speech pathologists (and possibly teachers as well). We have the urge to keep going and pushing ourselves. But maybe you feel like you’re barely treading water. Still paying of...
Sharing some tips to hopefully help you narrow down where you want to apply for speech-language pathology graduate school!
So, you're writing your speech pathology statement of purpose and looking for examples? Check out these outlines that worked for real SLPs!
Let's talk about the effects chronic stress on the SLP. SLPs are given large workloads and not enough time and support to manage these work conditions.
One of the things I had been dreading ever since I picked my major in undergrad was this big test known as the Praxis. Everyone had always told me not to worry about it. "Do well in your classes, and you will be fine" is what they always told me. But this is a big test, and you have to pass it. If that doesn't freak you out, I'm not sure what will. I took the test this past Saturday and wanted to share my experience on everything! Basics about the Test: -120 minutes -120 questions -All questions are multiple choice. -You can mark your answers and go back and check them. -On the computer version, you receive your score right away. -A score of 600 is passing. How I Prepped: Like most, I purchased the Advanced Review of Speech-Language Pathology. This is a great overview of most of the areas in our field. Some of the girls in my program set up Praxis review sessions over the course of the summer and fall semesters. I attended some of those sessions, which were extremely helpful. One girl would summarize a chapter, make a PowerPoint, and led a discussion about the practice questions at the end of the each chapter. This was extremely helpful, and I would highly recommend this to every single one of you who are about to take the test (or will in the next couple years). I went through a chapter per day (roughly) towards the end. I couldn't bring myself to make flash cards or write out notes for absolutely everything, so I underlined key words and phrases in the book. For the theories, I wrote color-coded notes in a notebook to review the important elements of each. I purchased a practice test from ETS. This is by far one of the best decisions I made. Not only did it get me in the mindset of test taking, it prepared me for the types of questions on the test and how to manage my time appropriately. Either take the ones on the flashdrive with the book, or purchase the ETS one. I actually took the practice test before I had studied much. I passed it, so that gave me a sense of peace about the test. I knew I wanted some more wiggle room, but it gave me a starting point for studying and some reassurance. I received a bunch of notes of encouragement from some of my closest friends! These really helped encourage me throughout my studying! The Night Before: I thought I would be freaking out the night before the test. Instead, I was at peace. I knew a lot of prayers had been said on my behalf, and boy could I feel them! I finished the chapter I was studying earlier that day, paged through the last couple of chapters, and decided that if I didn't know it then, I wasn't going to know it. I put the book down, watched some TV, and went to bed. I had also received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my dad as a way of saying, "Good luck." I called to thank him, and he reassured me that I would do fine and that it was a minimal competency exam (meaning 600 is as good as 800). Day of the Test: I woke up after about 7 hours of sleep. Considering this is what I generally had been getting and was planning on way less, I was extremely happy. I ate a small breakfast and attempted to study. I was starting to freak out. My test was at 12:30pm, so I had to wait all morning. Those hours were BRUTAL. If you go to take the test, I highly recommend taking one in the morning. I didn't have a choice of times when I went to sign up... Anyway, the testing center was about 20 minutes from my apartment, so I decided to leave an hour or so early and stop and get some lunch somewhere. Luckily, one of my friends had taken a test at that center back in August, so she told me what was around. I knew my stomach didn't want much, since it was full of butterflies. I also knew I needed something, or I wouldn't make it through the test. I settled on an Uptown Salad from Potbelly because it has chicken and fruit on it. I figured some protein and natural sugar would be a good tide-me-over until I could eat later. I arrived at the test center about 35 minutes early (you're supposed to be there 30 minutes early). One of my friends from my program walked out of the testing room and was smiling. She had passed!! It was so good to see a familiar face that morning and to have the assurance that our preparation was enough for us to pass! It was a quick boost of confidence. I went in to the testing room, took the test, and came out barely able to speak. I had passed!! I was fighting back tears as I walked out. The woman asked if I wanted my score written down, and I said, "No. I know it. All that really matters is that I passed." She congratulated me and sent me on my way. As soon as I got in the car, the tears started coming down. I had just passed one of the most important tests of my life. Everything I had been working for the last 2, 6, or 19 years had been worth it. Once I got myself together, I called my family and friends to let them know the good news! I spent the rest of the day celebrating with friends! On Sunday, I finally felt tired. My whole month of holidays, studying, etc. had come to an end. All of the stress was gone. In case you were wondering, my score was about 70 points higher on the real test than the practice. Again, I hadn't studied for the practice. That shows you how much studying can help!! Helpful Hints: -The usual: Arrive early. Dress comfortably. This doesn't necessarily mean yoga pants, but that's what I did! Whatever you're comfortable in--everyone is different! Eat something before the test. Go to the bathroom before the test. The clock keeps counting down when you get up and leave the room. -Study the book and your notes from both undergrad and grad school. -Take a practice test. Some of the questions were the exact same or very similar. -BREATHE. -Answer everything, but mark the ones you're not sure about. You can go back and review them. -Trust your instincts. If you're anything like me, your gut is usually right. Areas to Study: -Normal speech and language development -Articulation and phonological disorders -Different types of aphasia -Theories of stuttering and stuttering treatment -Types of standardized testing -Different legislation and what each one mandates -Motor speech disorders -Hearing screenings/testing -Bilingualism and how being multicultural influences decisions regarding speech and language Well that was my experience. I have to say I'm glad it's over, but also that my two universities prepared me fairly well for the test. Good luck to all of you taking it soon (or in the future)!!! As my friends kept telling me, you're going to rock it.
With the new year brings new experiences. I am starting a brand new one in just a few days, I am going to be supervising a student SLP in his school internship...and I am so excited! The school is where I love to work and the placement that makes me happy and I am excited to share that with someone who is still learning. I was thrilled when got the packet of information for my student from their university, and then I opened the packet and went... I knew there would be paperwork but there were a lot of other
Professors writing letters of recommendation will request that you provide certain pieces of information to ensure that they write a letter tailored to you as a wholesome student, rather than only to how you performed in the one class they taught you. But, what will they ask for? In this guide, I have compiled a list of 7 Important Letter of Recommendation Items Professors Request. Both you and the professor will be thankful you were prepared!
Growing up, I had always assumed that I would have the highest degree possible. I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, with the requisite Ph.D., of course. It was only after taking my first teaching job that the dream fizzled and died. After a year of teaching, I decided to get my master's degree in
Every time I ask this question on a public forum, I get a massive response. It seems this is a question that plagues a lot of speech pathologists (and possibly teachers as well). We have the urge to keep going and pushing ourselves. But maybe you feel like you’re barely treading water. Still paying of...
Asking for a letter of recommendation from a professor, supervisor, or boss can sound intimidating. And believe me, it is. Who do you ask? How do you ask? What will they say? I have compiled a shortlist of 5 key tips on how to ask for a letter of recommendation. The very best way to secure a letter of rec is...
Don't you love the feeling you get when you get a personalized card from someone! We all do - including us SLPs. That's why I created this batch of 7 cards to mark some of the biggest milestones in an SLP's life, including: - SLP-A - SLP-CF - SLP Graduate Clinician - Master's Degree - Doctorate - SLP Mentor I have included two versions of each card, a pre-written one and a blank inside option. Cards are each 3.75 by 5" (folded). Includes a template for an envelope that the cards fit into and assembly instructions. They are quick and easy to set up - just print, cut out, fold, and distribute :) For the price of just one store-bought card, you could have several beautiful slp-specific card choices! Your Speech-Language Pathologist friends will be delighted to receive these discipline specific and thoughtful cards. Keyword: speech therapist
In today's post I'm sharing the basics of applying to grad school and what you need to know in order to have a successful application process.
Every time I ask this question on a public forum, I get a massive response. It seems this is a question that plagues a lot of speech pathologists (and possibly teachers as well). We have the urge to keep going and pushing ourselves. But maybe you feel like you’re barely treading water. Still paying of...
Every time I ask this question on a public forum, I get a massive response. It seems this is a question that plagues a lot of speech pathologists (and possibly teachers as well). We have the urge to keep going and pushing ourselves. But maybe you feel like you’re barely treading water. Still paying of...
Choosing the schools you want to apply to is so much more complicated than picking them out of a hat (although it may certainly seem like that is what we are doing sometimes!). Discovering and further selecting your top schools to apply to is a complex process, but it can be made much easier by narrowing down your options as you answer these 5 questions.
If you’re here…it may mean it’s because you’ve been checking out my mentoring program for SLPs called SLP Learning Academy… Which means my primary objective is to get you off the fence about joining with some FAQs… But I’m gonna start by sharing a little story… During the early years of my career, a wave...
I hope you found my third set of tips useful! You can click on the picture above to see all the posts in this series. Commun...
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3 years of lesson plans. Please note that these plans change on a regular basis as I switch things up in my speech room! Lesson plans that I am using for my groups, these are a combination of free and paid products and crafts. I have divided my lesson plans into the following: ✰ PreK (early language learners) ✰ Language Level 1 (approx K-1st grades) ✰ Language Level 2 (approx 2nd-3rd grades) ✰ Language Level 3 (approx 4th-5th grades) ✰ Social Language (K-2) ✰ Social Language (3-5) ✰ Articulation (K-2) ✰ Articulation (3-5) __________________________________________________________________ FEEDBACK: ❤️ "Love your lesson plans!! I am swamped this year and these make it so much easier!!" ❤️ "Thank you so much! This has been a lifesaver." ❤️ "I have loved your lesson plans... such great ideas to incorporate for my groups!! I appreciate your work!" ___________________________________________________________________ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm Cheri, SLP and doctoral student. I'm an Ivy League graduate and creator of one of the first and longest-running speech therapy blogs in the world, Super Power Speech. Since graduating with my master's degree in 2000, I have worked in schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practice. I am a national presenter and have taught students around the world in my online courses. In my free time, you can find me playing soccer with my two teens or reading three books at the same time (in front of the fire, while crocheting). ⭐️⭐️ SUBSCRIBE HERE for access to my library of free speech materials.⭐️⭐️
A great way to work on vocabulary, grammar, and articulation with a Back to School theme! ___________________________________________________________________ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm Cheri, SLP and doctoral student. I'm an Ivy League graduate and creator of one of the first and longest-running speech therapy blogs in the world, Super Power Speech. Since graduating with my master's degree in 2000, I have worked in schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practice. I am a national presenter and have taught students around the world in my online courses. In my free time, you can find me playing soccer with my two teens or reading three books at the same time (in front of the fire, while crocheting). ⭐️⭐️ SUBSCRIBE HERE for access to my library of free speech materials.⭐️⭐️
I have never been a natural “people person.” Back when I was a kid, my mom was seriously concerned about me. There was a time period she actually worried that I wouldn’t make friends, and she was frantically scheduling play dates to get me out of my comfort zone. And then…the awkward adolescent years. Through...
For many children, school is where they learn to interact with their peers in socially appropriate ways. As these skills develop, they can contribute to friendships, community, and social problem solving for both individuals and classes. "Morning Meetings" helps classroom teachers, speech pathologists, and special educators to foster social skills and language in a structured and yet fun environment. For speech pathologists, this is the perfect opportunity to merge into general education classrooms and either lead or co-lead instruction. Work on direct instruction or intervention within a whole group setting! There are 5 sections to this product: Lesson Plans: 20 days of explicit lesson plans are included for the first 4 weeks of morning meetings. Greetings: Intro page Visual expectations 5 pages of instructions and ideas 56 Greetings cards Sharing: Intro page Visual expectations 2 pages of instructions and ideas 60 Sharing cards Activity: Intro page Visual expectations 9 pages of instructions and ideas 156 Activity cards Message: Intro page Visual expectations 5 pages of instructions and ideas 116 Message cards This product was co-created with Little Learning Ladybugs. You can find this same product listed in her store. __________________________________________________________________ FEEDBACK: ❤️ "I used this product last month and my students really enjoyed it. Thank you for helping to get student involved and creating lesson plans." ❤️ "I was so excited to see this product, it is exactly what I was looking for to help out a kindergarten teacher who needed help with social skills instruction." ___________________________________________________________________ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi! I'm Cheri, SLP and doctoral student. I'm an Ivy League graduate and creator of one of the first and longest-running speech therapy blogs in the world, Super Power Speech. Since graduating with my master's degree in 2000, I have worked in schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practice. I am a national presenter and have taught students around the world in my online courses. In my free time, you can find me playing soccer with my two teens or reading three books at the same time (in front of the fire, while crocheting). ⭐️⭐️ SUBSCRIBE HERE for access to my library of free speech materials.⭐️⭐️
