Bridging the Gap: How SLPs Can Empower Teachers to Support Students with Speech and Language Needs

In this another energizing episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie dives into actionable strategies for collaborating with classroom teachers to better support your older speech students (grades 4–12). From recommending simple accommodations to fostering generalization of skills beyond the therapy room, this episode is your go-to guide for making classrooms more accessible and boosting student success. 💡 Ready to make an impact? Let’s do this, SLPs!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

-Why Accommodations Matter

-Top Accommodation Tips for Teachers

-How to Communicate with Teachers

-Benefits of Classroom Accommodations

Here’s what we learned:

• Bridging the gap between speech therapy and the classroom.
• Advocating for students' needs and ensuring academic content accessibility.
• Extra processing time for students to absorb and respond.
• Using visual supports like graphic organizers (e.g., “Somebody Wanted But So Then” for summarizing).
• Allowing alternative ways to demonstrate knowledge (e.g., written reflections or recorded responses).
• Fostering independence by reducing future accommodation needs.
• Remember: You are not the customer. Your perspective differs from your students’.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP Elevate:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

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Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie and Brittney Adler discuss creating language goals for following directions.

Grab your coffee and get cozy for an exciting episode of SLP Coffee Talk! This week, Hallie chats with the amazing Brittney Adler—a neurodiversity-affirming SLP who’s all about celebrating the unique ways neurodivergent kids communicate. Brittney works her magic with AAC, gestalt language processing, and sensory-based strategies to help kids with high support needs shine.

Together, Hallie and Brittney unpack the age-old “following directions” goals, shake up compliance-based practices, and share fun, practical ways to teach self-advocacy and independence. It’s an episode full of laughs, aha moments, and fresh takes to inspire your therapy sessions. Whether you’re a seasoned SLP or new to the field, this one’s for you!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Compliance vs. comprehension in therapy
• The power of child-led therapy
• Self-advocacy and independence
• Moving beyond traditional "following directions"

Here’s what we learned:

• Breaking down the nuances of following directions: compliance vs. comprehension.
• The shift from compliance to teaching self-advocacy and independence.
• Why child-led therapy isn’t just effective—it’s a game changer for planning.
• Practical, everyday strategies to make speech goals relevant and functional.
• A fresh perspective on receptive language goals in school settings.
• Encouragement to follow your instincts and embrace neuroaffirming approaches.

Learn more about Brittney Adler:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nycslpb
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nycslpb?_t=8r63oMxc3gc&_r=1 

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Building relationships, human-centered approach to teaching, unorthodox teaching methods, unapologetic authenticity, having fun and experiencing joy as an educator

On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie welcomes educator and author Dwayne Reed to discuss the importance of building meaningful connections with students. Dwayne shares his unique journey into education, starting with his viral music video, Welcome to the 4th Grade, and highlights the transformative impact of being authentic in the classroom. He offers practical strategies for relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of meeting students where they are and treating them as individuals. Discover how Dwayne’s philosophy, outlined in his book Be THAT Teacher: Rehumanizing Education with Unapologetic Authenticity, can inspire educators and speech-language pathologists alike to foster trust, growth and joy in their work.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

1. Why is authenticity so important in education?
2. Everything good about life comes through humanity, not policy; how does this apply to education?
3. What exactly does it mean to be THAT teacher and how can others do it?
4. For those who say that, "Building relationships with students" is an empty platitude that administrators give their teachers, what's your response?
5. What makes your book, Be THAT Teacher, special, noteworthy, or valuable to the every day teacher or administrator, and why should anyone purchase it?

Here’s what we learned:

• Building trust with students starts with authenticity and connection. 
• Treating students as individuals, not data points, fosters respect and engagement. 
• Small gestures, like remembering details about a student, can have a big impact. 
• Creating a supportive, human-centered classroom culture leads to long-term success. 
• Encouraging students to embrace their uniqueness builds confidence and self-worth.
• Holding students accountable with grace and understanding strengthens relationships. 

Learn more about Dwayne Reed 
Website: tmreed.com
Instagram: @teachmrreed
Book: Be That Teacher by Dwayne Reed

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie talks about helping high school students transition into the workforce and how it relates to speech therapy.

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie dives into supporting high school speech and language students as they transition from school to the workforce. As SLPs, we play a vital role in preparing our students for real-world communication demands—from interviewing skills and professional etiquette to problem-solving and self-advocacy. Hallie shares actionable strategies to integrate job-readiness skills into therapy sessions, making learning relevant and impactful. Tune in to discover role-playing activities, helpful resources, and tools to empower your students for success beyond the classroom. Perfect for SLPs working with older students eager to prepare for the future!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• The Role of SLPs in Transition Planning
• Adapting Therapy Goals to Workplace Skills
• Using Role-Playing for Real-World Practice
• Building Strong Written Communication
• Generalizing Skills Beyond the Classroom
• Resources & Tools for Workforce Readiness

Here’s what we learned:

• IEP integration and the role of SLPs in workforce readiness.
• Personalizing expressive/receptive language and social pragmatics to include job-specific scenarios.
• Developing self-advocacy and problem-solving skills through simulated job scenarios.
• Helping students craft resumes, job applications, and emails.
• Teaching email etiquette and formal language in professional contexts.
• Ideas for bringing therapy out of the “speech closet” and into real-world settings.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie discusses giving your students a say in what they do in speech therapy.

On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman explores the importance of giving older speech students a SAY in their sessions. Sharing personal insights and strategies from her career, Hallie explains how empowering students can lead to a more engaging and motivating learning environment. From offering flexible seating and allowing students to choose their learning tools to discussing individualized goals, she provides practical tips that make a real difference. Tune in to learn how small changes can foster student collaboration and trust, creating a more positive experience for both students and SLPs. 

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Benefits of Giving Students a Say
• Practical Ways to Empower Students  
• Encouraging Ownership of Learning 
• Creating a Comfortable and Collaborative Environment 
• Long-Term Impact 

Here’s what we learned:

• Small autonomy boosts student confidence and willingness to participate.
• Empowering students makes sessions feel less like “work” and more collaborative. 
• Customizing session reminders helps students take ownership of attendance.
• Offering choice reinforces respect for students’ preferences and independence.
• Simple adjustments can reduce classroom resistance and build rapport.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie discusses why you should get rid of the prize bin and how to motivate your students.

On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman discusses her shift from using reward systems to fostering intrinsic motivation among her students. She shares early experiences with gumball machines and speech dollars, which led to unintended issues like competition and even stealing. Realizing the limitations of extrinsic rewards, Hallie emphasizes the value of helping students find personal meaning in speech sessions. She offers practical strategies for connecting lessons to students’ lives, encouraging SLPs to focus on rapport-building over traditional prize-based motivation.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Early Experiences with Reward Systems   
• Limitations of Extrinsic Motivation 
• Shifting to Intrinsic Motivation 
• Strategies for Building Intrinsic Motivation 
• Encouragement for SLPs  

Here’s what we learned:

• Reward systems can backfire, leading to competition and behavior issues. 
• Intrinsic motivation creates longer-lasting engagement in students. 
• Tailoring sessions to students’ interests increases relevance and impact. 
• Storytelling and real-life connections help students see the value of speech goals.  
• Building rapport is more effective than relying on material incentives. 

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie is joined by Ashley Cubberly and Eddie Brown from Brown Cub Speech to discuss how to navigate conversations in stuttering therapy.

On this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie interviews Ashley and Eddie from Brown Cub Speech, a dynamic speech-language pathology team focused on stuttering therapy. Ashley, a pediatric SLP based in Kentucky, discusses her journey in working with children who stutter and her efforts in leading support groups and providing professional education. Eddie, a PhD candidate in speech pathology at the University of Tennessee, shares his unique perspective as both a clinician and a person who stutters. Together, they emphasize the importance of building trust, community engagement and the need for a bottom-up therapeutic approach, which prioritizes clients’ emotional experiences. They also discuss their upcoming professional development retreat, where they’ll share practical tools for SLPs to support clients more effectively. 

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Introduction to Brown Cub Speech  
• Ashley's Pediatric Practice 
• Eddie’s Dual Perspective 
• Bottom-Up Approach 
• Community and Connection  
• Therapeutic Tools and Trust-Building
• Upcoming Retreat 

Here’s what we learned:

• Eddie’s life as a person who stutters gives him insight into clients’ needs beyond typical fluency goals. 
• Engaging with stuttering communities enriches therapy by exposing clients to real-world challenges and shared experiences. 
• Therapy benefits from addressing emotions and self-perception, not just fluency skills. 
• Balancing goals between clients, families, and educators is key to creating meaningful progress.  
• Integrating counseling into therapy helps clients open up, address deep-seated fears, and build resilience. 

Learn more about Ashley Cubberly and Eddie Brown | Brown Cub Speech

Instagram: @brown.cub.speech

Teachers Pay Teacher

Freebie

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie and her guest Alexia Bassin discuss AAC and high school students

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Alexia Bassin, a seasoned speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience in the NYC Public Schools! With a passion for empowering fellow SLPs, Alexia shares her journey working in special education and her expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). From her role as an assistive technology evaluator to creating 'AAC Corner,' a series of bite-sized videos to help SLPs master AAC, Alexia’s dedication shines through. Tune in for practical tips, collaboration advice, and real-world strategies that will help you elevate your AAC game in the classroom. Let’s dive into all things AAC!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Age-Respectful Communication
• Expanding AAC Beyond Requests
• Resources and Support
• Adapting to Technology Changes
• Advice for Newcomers to AAC

Here’s what we learned:

• Evolution of AAC technology from clunky devices to apps like Proloquo2Go.
• Importance of choosing a flexible AAC system that grows with the student.
• Leveraging Instagram and online communities to stay updated on AAC strategies and tools.
• Balancing student interests (e.g., Disney Cars) with age-appropriate content.
• Encouraging exploration of new, age-respectful topics through AAC.
• Collaboration with teachers and other related service providers to implement successful strategies.

Learn more about Alexia Bassin:

Instagram: alexia_slp_chronicles

TikTok: lex_slp_chronicles

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Dr. Angelyn Franks, an experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) and recent clinical doctorate graduate, joins Hallie Sherman to discuss overcoming burnout in the SLP profession. With 14 years in the field, Dr. Angelyn has made it her mission to help SLPs prevent burnout and achieve a sustainable work-life balance. Dr. Angelyn also shares her personal journey, including her own experience with burnout and how adopting mindfulness helped her regain her passion for the field. She introduces “The Thrive Method,” her coaching framework designed to move SLPs from survival mode to thriving in their careers. Dive deep into the importance of setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing self-care without guilt and recognizing the signs of burnout before it becomes overwhelming.

Gain practical strategies for stress management, tips on how to protect their mental well-being and advice for sustaining a fulfilling career in speech-language pathology. 

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• SLPs overcome burnout, set healthy boundaries, & prioritize self-care without guilt, enabling them to reclaim their passion for their work and achieve a sustainable, fulfilling career.
• I am happy to share my own burnout experience and what lead me to my Capstone topic (The Effect of a Mindfulness App on Perceived Stress in SLPs).
• I help burned-out SLPs recover from burnout, prevent future burnout, and create a sustainable, fulfilling career with work-life balance and without sacrificing their well-being.
• Three-component definition of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. What to look for, the different phases of burnout. For SLPs burnout/risk of burnout can look like:  
  • Feel drained, overwhelmed, and discouraged by their work
  • Dreads going to work (especially on Mondays)
  • Struggles with setting boundaries and practicing self-care due to guilt, perfectionism, and difficulty asking for help 
  • Experiencing anxiety, stress, and exhaustion despite loving aspects of their job
  • Exhausted and doom-scrolling/on autopilot when they get home from work
  • Difficulty focusing at work
• Identification of primary burnout factors. 6 known areas of mismatch: Workload, Control, Reward, Community, Fairness, Values
• The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model provides a framework for work-life balance. Distinguishes between job demands—such as high caseload/workload, intense work pressure, and the emotional or physical demands of a job—and job resources, which include support from leaders or colleagues, performance feedback, and autonomy.
• My approach to work-life balance is to assess areas of stress/mismatches and build a robust, flexible toolkit of resources. (This includes mindfulness- my area of research).
• I would also be happy to discuss anything I shared about during my hour inside your group— including the deconstruction framework which is one of the primary tools in my toolkit!

Here’s what we learned:

• Burnout often stems from chronic stress.
• Incorporating mindfulness into daily routine can significantly help reduce stress. 
• The importance of setting and upholding boundaries to protect mental health. 
• Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining long-term career satisfaction. 
• Implementing small, consistent changes— whether in stress management, boundary-setting or daily habits— can create lasting improvements.  

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

Hallie is joined by Mindy Hudon & Rachelle Mauer from Achieve Speech & Language Services, LLC. They are changing the way SLPs service speech sound disorders in the schools.

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman welcomes Mindy Hudon and Rachelle Mauer, co-owners of Achieve Speech and Language Services and the creators of Snappy Speech. This research-based speech sound intervention program is designed to help school-based SLPs work more efficiently by reducing high caseloads, allowing them to focus on what matters most — working at the top of their license. With over 30 years of combined school-based experience, Mindy and Rachelle developed a groundbreaking strategy to alleviate the pressures faced by SLPs in schools. 

Mindy is an award-winning author of the graphic novel Kodi’s Adventures: How I Learned to Defeat the Time Snatcher and creator of the Bee A Time Keeper® Clock, a tool designed to help young children develop time management skills. Rachelle, a national trainer and accomplished author-presenter, is known for her expertise in developing and applying cognitive and executive function skills, making her a leader in her field. 

Tune in to learn more about their innovative approach to speech sound intervention and how they are changing the landscape for school-based SLPs.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• The pandemic has increased the need for speech services in schools
• Caseload sizes continue to increase and Shortage of SLPs due to overwhelm
• Students with mild to moderate speech sounds disorders are lingering on IEP's year after year, as well as challenges supporting RTI students.
• High-frequency intervention is the gold standard, but how do busy SLPs manage the time needed to implement this method? - This is the problem we solve.
• Snappy Speech®: use of evidence-based methods and why it works.
• Utilizing extenders to support SLP's and common mistakes
• How can SLP's practice at the top of their license and get back to their passion for the profession!

Here’s what we learned:

• Mindy and Rachelle’s combined 30 years of school-based experience inspired the creation of Snappy Speech.
• Their program focuses on high-frequency speech drills, proven to accelerate student progress.
• Snappy Speech helps reduce large SLP caseloads, addressing common issues like burnout and stress.
• Mindy is also known for her work in time management for children through the Bee A Time Keeper® Clock.
• Rachelle has expertise in cognitive and executive function skills, providing a holistic approach to speech and language therapy.
• Their intervention model emphasizes working at the top of the SLP license, allowing SLPs to focus on more complex cases. 
• Snappy Speech has been piloted in schools with significant results, including reduced caseloads and improved student outcomes.
• The program uses trained extenders to assist SLPs, increasing the frequency of student drills and reducing time out of class.

Social Media Links

Check out their website: Achieve Speech & Language Services

Instagram: @achievect_SLP

Facebook: Achieve Speech & Language Services

Snappy Speech®

Freebie Links: Snappy Speech®

Learn more about Hallie

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets