SLP Coffee Talk

In this episode of the SLP Coffee Talk, we’ll dive into the world of practical and relevant professional development for all you amazing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) out there! 

Get ready to hear all about the awesome perks of attending the virtual Speech Retreat conference —think fresh strategies, new skills, and tons of practical ideas to jazz up your work with students. We’ll also talk about my adventures in professional development and how the Speech Retreat has been a total game-changer for me!

Here’s what we learned:

• Challenges of finding relevant training for school-based speech-language pathologists
• Practical and relevant professional development for speech-language pathologists
• My motivation for creating the Speech Retreat conference
• The Speech Retreat virtual conference is an excellent solution to the need for professional development
• Positive impact & benefits of attending Speech Retreat, such as learning new strategies and gaining practical ideas

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

🎟️ July 2024 Speech Retreat

💜 Speech Time Fun

🎧 Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

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, we’ll talk about my personal journey and the valuable lessons I learned when I first started working with older speech students. From understanding the pivotal role of language comprehension in reading success to the game-changing power of building genuine rapport,  join me as I share my secrets to successfully working with older speech students and revolutionizing your approach with the knowledge I wish I had from the start.

Here’s what we learned:

• Using materials that match students' independent reading levels rather than their grade levels.
• How to boost students' confidence by initially removing the reading barrier.
• Guidance on when to continue speech therapy versus allowing students to participate in their regular classroom environment.
• The superiority of fostering intrinsic motivation over-relying on external rewards such as prize bins.
• Effective methods for teaching unfamiliar vocabulary and the balance between using games for engagement while ensuring educational value.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP Elevate: 

💜Speech Time Fun

🎧 Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

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

Hey there SLPs! In this episode, we talk with Robert (Bob) McKinney, a seasoned school-based speech-language pathologist with almost two decades of experience in secondary education, in this episode. Bob talks about how he went from being an ESL teacher all over the world to becoming a well-known SLP in one of the biggest all-secondary school districts in the nation. His distinct experience and deep involvement in the California Speech Language Hearing Association offer insightful perspectives on the efficacy of teamwork and practical approaches to working in secondary school.

Here’s what we learned:

• Managing parental expectations and advocating for the most effective approach.
• Collaboration with teachers helps maintain a positive and effective learning environment.
• Overall positive experiences with the push-in model over the years.
• Clear communication and advocacy for the push-in model to both parents and teachers.
• Effectiveness of the push-in model through positive outcomes and practical benefits.

Learn more about Robert McKinney: 

Website: https://specialservices.sweetwaterschools.org/speech-language-therapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-mckinney-slp/

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

Matt Eicheldinger has been teaching middle school language arts for the past fifteen years where he’s become known for his storytelling method of teaching.

Hey there, SLPs! Get ready to be swept away by the tale of a middle school teacher turned New York Times bestselling author, Matt Eicheldinger! Matt shared his journey from the chalkboard to the book charts with his middle grade novel, "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of Ten Broken Toes."  Matt's courageous leap from teaching to full-time writing is packed with lessons on building strong connections with students through storytelling and spending meaningful non-academic time together. Get ready to be inspired by his unique and heartfelt approach to classroom management and student engagement.

Here’s what we learned:

• The impact of strong teacher-student relationships on academic success.
• Strategies for engaging reluctant readers through creativity and relatable content.
• Using personal stories and storytelling techniques as educational tools.
• How Matt's teaching experience shaped his writing and approach to engaging middle school students.
• Tips for educators on building rapport and creating a safe learning environment by sharing personal stories.
• The benefits of short chapters and illustrations in easing readers' transition from graphic novels to more text-heavy books.

Learn more about Matt Eicheldinger:

📝Matt's Website

📝Check out Matt on Instagram

📝 Matt's Book: Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP Elevate: 

📝 Speech Time Fun

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

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

Hi, fellow SLPs! In today’s episode, Hallie welcomes Mel Abraham, a CPA by education, entrepreneur, financial expert/advisor to businesses and individuals and an author of an upcoming book titled Building Your Money Machine: How to Get Your Money to Work Harder for You Than You Did for It. Together, we explore strategies for financial wellness and wealth building tailored specifically for Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs).  Gain practical advice on managing debt, making smart investments and planning for a comfortable retirement, all while maintaining financial peace in your daily life. Learn about the power of compounding interest, the benefits of index funds and ETFs, and how to start contributing to your retirement accounts with confidence. With Mel’s guidance combined with our helpful tips, you’ll be on your way to securing a prosperous financial future stress-free.

Guest Bio: 

Mel is a CPA by education but an entrepreneur by exhilaration, and Author of the #1 Bestseller, The Entrepreneur's Solution: The Modern Millionaire's Path to More Profit, Fans & Freedom. As the founder The Affluence Blueprint TM, The Legacy Factor™ and ThoughtpreneurTM Academy he has been obsessed with helping people and entrepreneurs bring their businesses to life and build the lifestyle that they want.

The power of the principles and frameworks he teaches became immensely clear after finding a cancerous tumor in his bladder larger than a baseball in June 2019. His cancer journey followed by people's financial struggles through the pandemic highlighted the immediate and urgent need for others to get access to these powerful principles. This personal journey, combined with the financial upheavals many faced during the pandemic, became the seeds for his soon-to-be-released book (Hay House Publishing - June 11, 2024), Build Your Money Machine: How to Get Your Money to Work Harder For You Than You Did For it!.

As a frequent guest on some of the top shows and podcasts where he shares his thought leadership around achievement, financial freedom, affluence, and building businesses of impact. He’s been called an Affluence Mentor™ and the “thought leader to thought leaders” and advised some of the top thought leaders of our time in their business, money matters, content creation, positioning, and market influence.

Mel has built, bought, and sold numerous multimillion-dollar businesses for himself as well as his clients. He’s a globally recognized thought leader, business advisor, CPA and financial expert sharing stages with a long list of Fortune 500 Companies as well as beacons in the business and personal development industry, from Arianna Huffington and Chalene Johnson to Brendon Burchard, Ed Mylett, Amy Porterfield, Ben Newman and Tony Robbins.

Here’s what we learned:

• Financial literacy is crucial for SLPs, regardless of their income level, to achieve financial freedom and reduce stress.
• Building wealth requires discipline and consistency, not necessarily a large income.
• It’s important to be proactive and intentional in managing finances.
• Debt management is key to financial wellness, with strategies such as using a free Excel tool for tracking debt repayment and automating payments to streamline the process.
• Investing in diversified, low-fee portfolios like index funds and ETFs is recommended for SLPs to grow their retirement savings effectively.
• Starting retirement planning early is essential to take advantage of compounding interest and to ensure a comfortable retirement.

Guest Lin

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

Hey there, fellow SLPs! In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Sarah, an SLP and AAC enthusiast, to demystify the world of augmentative and alternative communication, showing it’s not about the tech but about empowering connections. We delve into selecting AAC systems, involving families and integrating devices into the classroom all while maintaining a focus on the child’s autonomy. Sarah’s insights and strategies are interwoven with personal anecdotes, making this a conversation as practical as it is heartwarming, perfect for any SLP looking to deepen their understanding of AAC.

Sarah Gregory, M.S. CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist and works as an Assistive Technology and inclusive programming consultant in the Ithaca City School District in Upstate New York. She specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication in a public school setting with a focus on inclusion. Sarah has presented on these topics at national and statewide conferences. She shares ideas and strategies for AAC and teletherapy on her YouTube channel, as well as on Twitter, Instagram @sarahgregoryslp, and sarahgregoryslp.com.

Here’s what we learned:

• Sarah’s journey from AAC apprehension to becoming an impassioned advocate for its use in educational settings. 
• The art of selecting AAC systems that evolve with students’ needs and ensuring therapy sessions are engaging and personalized.
• Strategies for involving families and professionals in the AAC process are highlighted along with tips for making AAC a natural part of classroom and home life.

Learn more about Sarah Gregory: 

Sarah's Instagram
Sarah's X (Twitter)
Sarah's YouTube
Sarah's Freebie: A collection of free digital resources to support AAC

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Speech Time Fun

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

🖥️💜 Speech Retreat

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

Hey there, SLPs! Today, we're going to delve deep into the realm of therapy goals and standardized testing now. Standardized testing is a necessary component of the process, let's face it, but that doesn't mean our treatment objectives have to follow their lead. We're going to reveal how to use those test results to inform relevant, doable objectives. Let's face it, meaningful goals result in actual advancement! Hallie shared advice on deciphering test results, getting input from teachers, carrying out impromptu evaluations, and retaining all the knowledge from in-class observations. Consider it an SLP-style recipe for success!

Here’s what we learned:

• Therapy goals should prioritize long-term communication skills over test scores, tailored to individual needs.
• Goals must be SMART, aligning with real-life needs, not just test scores.
• Prioritize goals that enhance problem-solving, narrative skills, and social communication.
• Recognizing differences across areas and cultural influences aids in understanding student needs holistically.
• Use tools like the Baseline Tool and Critical Thinking Probes to uncover student strengths, weaknesses, and comprehension

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

📝Tar Heel Reader | Books for beginning readers of all ages

 🎲✨ 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 how to use Blooket in your speech therapy sessions.

Hey there, SLPs! Get ready for a jolt of inspiration in this episode of SLP Coffee Talk. Join Hallie as she spills the beans on her all-time favorite free tool for speech therapy - Blooket! Discover how this interactive platform can turn learning into a game and keep your older students engaged and motivated. From customizable games to real-time feedback, Blooket is the secret weapon you need in your therapy arsenal. Tune in and get ready to level up your speech sessions with Blooket!

Here’s what we learned:

• Blooket’s various game modes, from classic quizzes to battle royales, catering to diverse student interests.
• Understanding the science behind gamification and learning for effectively integrating Blooket into speech therapy sessions.
• Adapting Blooket for therapy by creating games focusing on articulation, vocabulary, comprehension exercises, and other speech goals.
• Blooket aligns with the Creative Competence Framework, prioritizing student interests, safety, and efficient planning to meet all needs.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Blooket

📝 Speech Time Fun

📝Shop Speech Time Fun

 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

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

Effective reading instruction strategies for older students with Sara of Stellar Teacher Company

Hi, fellow SLPs! In today’s episode, Hallie features Sara Marye, an accomplished educator, the CEO of The Stellar Teacher Company, and the creator/host of the Stellar Teacher Podcast. Together, we delve into advanced reading instruction strategies while exploring the science of reading and its application in the classroom for older students. Learn the five pillars of reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope and gain insights into refining teaching methods with research-backed techniques, offering essential resources for educators and speech-language pathologists. Discover how to revolutionize your reading lessons and enhance student comprehension and vocabulary following Sara’s expert guidance and practical sentence writing routine.

Sara Marye is on a mission to empower elementary teachers to increase their literacy knowledge and become experts in their field. With over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, and assistant principal, Sara enjoys pursuing opportunities that leave a big impact on the world of education.

Here’s what we learned:

• The science of reading is a body of research that describes how the human brain learns to read.
• The Five Pillars of Reading include Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.
• Scarborough’s Reading Rope model is an essential framework for understanding how to develop proficient readers, intertwining word recognition with language comprehension.
• Teachers should focus on aligning their reading instruction with the science of reading, incorporating practices such as teaching text structure, using graphic organizers, and explicit word study.
• A simple sentence writing routine can help students build their understanding of syntax.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

Follow Sara on Instagram

Check out The Stellar Teacher Company

Listen to Stellar Teacher Podcast with Sara Marye

The Stellar Teacher Company Teachers Pay Teachers Store

📝 Speech Time Fun

📝Shop Speech Time Fun

 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

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

Hi, fellow SLPs! In today’s episode, Hallie explores the benefits of role-playing in speech therapy to enhance vocational communication skills. Discover the practical strategies for SLPs to create realistic role-playing scenarios that prepare students for the workforce by developing language skills essential for professional success. Tailored for speech-language pathologists working with older students, Hallie offers insights into making therapy sessions relevant and engaging focusing on job interviews, client interactions, and team collaborations.

Here’s what we learned:

• By focusing on real world scenarios, students can apply their speech and language skills directly to their career aspirations and goals.

• It is important to design role playing activities that are tailored to the students’ individual speech goals and vocational interests.

• How feedback helps students reflect on their performance, recognize areas for improvement and make adjustments to their communication strategies.

• A resource called Secondary Secrets for SLPs, a private podcast series designed to inspire and provide strategies for working with secondary speech students.

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

📝 Speech Time Fun

📝Shop Speech Time Fun

 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here!

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!

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