Speech in the Schools : professional issues

My Summer "Work"

Valerie Lill — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:31:00 GMT

I write this blog about to begin my first full week of summer break! It started after lunch last Tuesday and ends on August 19th with inservice days. I know many school-based SLPs choose to work as SLPs during their summers off for various reasons, which...(read more)

Is Change in the Air?

Alexandra Streeter — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:07:00 GMT

I have a dream position as an SLP. I work in one school with an amazing staff, and I've accumulated all the materials I need. Why, then, lately have I found myself wondering about change, wondering about other school districts and if they do things differently?...(read more)

It's a Wrap

Valerie Lill — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:48:00 GMT

I'm writing this blog with only four and a half more student days to go (followed by in-services on Friday afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday morning, but if students aren't there, does it really count as a workday?). In some ways it seemed like it would...(read more)

Trust Your Instincts

Valerie Lill — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:47:00 GMT

Thank you to my fellow blogger, Alexander Streeter, for being the only voter on my last blog (regarding which topics I attended at my state convention and what the readers would like me to blog about). Per her request today I'll start to blog about the...(read more)

Highlights of a State Convention

Valerie Lill — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:37:00 GMT

This past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I was lucky enough to attend my state's annual convention. I was even luckier that it was held only 20 minutes away from where I live! But the most fortunate part of the whole thing (other than getting approved...(read more)

The “Ize” Have It

Valerie Lill — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:20:00 GMT

This time of year is definitely my least favorite time of the school year. Crunch time! The perfect storm of having to do progress reports for the end of the third marking period, monthly medical access, and numerous Reevaluation Reports and IEPs all...(read more)

Expert, School-Based SLP, or Both?

Valerie Lill — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:25:00 GMT

Recently at school someone had contacted me about something in regard to assistive technology. When I had mentioned this to the individual the next time I saw her (as to what made her think to contact me first) she commented, "You're the speech assistive...(read more)

Office Sweet Office

Valerie Lill — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:27:00 GMT

Sometimes work is like our second home, whether we like it or not. When we're not in classrooms, meetings, on duty, meeting with teachers, making photocopies, you name it...our time is spent in a location commonly known as the speech office. I use the...(read more)

Common Core Standards: How Have They Changed What You Do?

Alexandra Streeter — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:05:00 GMT

I have been reading up on Common Core Standards, and I would love to hear from some of you who live in districts that have already them! I have a few questions that I'd love for you to respond to either below or on the ADVANCE Facebook page. How did your...(read more)

Everyday Heroes

Valerie Lill — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:01:00 GMT

After the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, on Dec. 14, much has been reported in the media about all of the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the sake of their students. What these staff members did deserves to be commended....(read more)

I Need Help--Part 3

Valerie Lill — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:41:00 GMT

In my last blog I just skimmed the surface of how paraprofessionals (referred to as "aides" in some districts) can help make our jobs a bit easier by helping us out. Continuing with this series on ways to get help in the school setting, I've found there...(read more)

I Need Help, Part 2

Valerie Lill — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Last month I wrote about needing help and wondering where to get it. Many readers offered great suggestions on how to get more help to make our jobs more manageable. I've started my pursuit of being able to recognize help when it is right in my face and...(read more)

SLP Dress-Up

Valerie Lill — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:56:00 GMT

Halloween will be arriving soon. Fall parties will be in full gear at many schools on Friday. Costumes may or may not be a part of the festivities. Next week many of our students across the country will dress up in their costumes and go trick-or-treating....(read more)

I Need Help! Any Volunteers?

Valerie Lill — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:52:00 GMT

Back near the start of the school year, I blogged about some of the things I'd like to learn this school year. One of the biggest issues for me personally (and I'm sure many other school-based SLPs out there) that I admitted I needed to learn was to ask...(read more)

Speech Math?

Valerie Lill — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:48:00 GMT

(School Psychologist x Guidance Counselor x Special Ed Teacher )+ ½ OT = School-Based SLP You might be wondering, "What's with the math?" I know, I know. We school-based SLPs do very little math in our jobs except for calculating percent correct from...(read more)