SLP Coffee Talk

In this episode, Hallie shares creative and fun strategies to engage older students (grades 4-12) in articulation therapy. These students have been through years of speech therapy, and it's time to shake things up! From podcast creation to role-playing games, Hallie breaks down five easy-to-implement activities that will keep students motivated and make articulation practice exciting again. Tune in to discover how to make speech therapy both relevant and enjoyable!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Podcast Creation
• Role-Playing Games
• YouTube Video Reviews
• Speech Competitions
• Tailored Interests
• 
  

Here’s what we learned:

• Students can script, record, and self-assess their articulation through dynamic podcast projects.
• Use games like Dungeons and Dragons to weave articulation targets into fun, interactive scenarios.
• Encourage students to articulate clearly while reviewing their favorite videos or topics.
• Create speech challenges and debates to build confidence and practice articulation in a fun, competitive setting.
• Incorporate students' hobbies like gaming, sports, or social media into speech activities for maximum engagement.

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

Meet Michelle, Risa, and Stephanie—the dynamic trio behind NYC Speechies! These passionate SLPs saw a gap in the market for middle and high school speech and language resources on TPT and decided to fill it. What started as a plan to create enough materials for just one school year has grown into an impressive collection of over 400 resources by 2024. NYC Speechies love nothing more than connecting with fellow SLPs and educators, helping them navigate the world of speech and language for older students. They've expanded their reach even further with workshops and their coaching business, Speechies Connect, where they empower and support other SLPs. Join us as we dive into their incredible journey!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• ice breakers and the importance of establishing rapport with therapist and group members at the beginning of the year
• creating a group atmosphere where they want to come back, feel accepted, and heard
• engaging mixed groups

Here’s what we learned:

• Strategies for building connections with high school students in speech therapy.
• Challenges and rewards of working with older students in therapy settings.
• Importance of establishing trust and rapport with students.
• Incorporating students' personal goals and interests into therapy sessions.
• Utilizing icebreakers and interactive activities to foster a positive environment.
• Discussing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with students to empower them.
• The significance of collaboration with educators and school staff.
• Flexibility and patience in adapting to students' emotional needs and challenges.
• Building a supportive community among speech-language pathologists for professional growth.

Learn more about NYC Speechies: 

Check out the NYC Speechies’ Website

Follow them on Instagram @nycspeechies or Facebook

Check them out on Pinterest

Visit their TPT store

Freebie Links

A FREEBIE from the NYC Speechies!

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

Get ready for another exciting brew of SLP Coffee Talk! This week, Hallie sits down with Marsha Pinto, a proud introverted SLP, who’s here to prove that being a quiet professional is nothing short of a superpower. Marsha, a speech therapist with the San Jose Unified School District in Northern California, primarily works with autistic students, as well as those with selective mutism and apraxia. She’s a familiar face on local news stations, where she shares her expertise on pediatric speech and language development, and she’s also a seasoned conference speaker, advocating for introverted students. As the founder of the non-profit "Softest Voices," Marsha is dedicated to promoting greater acceptance of introverts.

Marsha opens up about her career journey, discussing how she finds balance as an introvert in a typically extroverted field. She shares insights on how embracing quiet time can be your secret weapon in therapy. If you’ve ever thought that being an introvert might hold you back, think again—Marsha is here to show you that it’s actually your greatest strength!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Navigating a very extroverted demanding field as an introverted SLP
• Burn-Out as an introverted SLP
• Discouragement faced by introverted grad and college students wanting to be SLPs
• Effectiveness of "Quiet time" during therapy
• How to network as an introvert SLP student
• Benefits of being an introverted SLP

Here’s what we learned:

• How Marsha turned introversion into her SLP superpower.
• Why starting sessions with silence can boost focus and progress.
• Marsha’s strategy for managing energy to avoid burnout.
• How introverts can ace interviews and connect without the anxiety.
• How Marsha went from doubting herself to presenting at major conferences like ASHA!

Learn more about Marsha Pinto: 

Website: https://www.softestvoices.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softest_voices/

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 one of her favorite topics: The Scarborough Reading Rope and SLPs. We aren't reading teachers but language is the foundation for reading.

In this exciting episode of SLP Coffee Talk, we dive into the magic of helping older students become strong readers. Hallie breaks down how SLPs can use the Scarborough Reading Rope to untangle language comprehension and decoding challenges. Get ready for practical tips on boosting background knowledge, expanding vocabulary, and decoding tricky grammar—plus, a touch of Hallie's signature humor to keep it fun!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

- Tackling comprehension goals with older students.

- Explaining decoding and comprehension.

- Making reading and language lessons engaging.

Here’s what we learned:

• How SLPs can address comprehension goals with older students.
• Scarborough's Reading Rope: A breakdown of decoding and comprehension strands.
• Tips on building background knowledge, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning.
• Strategies for making reading and language lessons engaging for students.
• How to show your role in reading success to colleagues and in IEP meetings.

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

This week, Hallie is bringing the back-to-school energy with special guest Lacee! They're covering all the essentials, from understanding IEP basics and setting achievable goals to surviving—and thriving—in your first year as a school-based SLP. Lacee shares her own experiences, including mistakes she’s made so you can avoid them. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned expert, prepare to soak up some valuable insights! 💡 Lacee, an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist, is in her 11th year of practice as a school-based SLP. She loves creating resources and sharing therapy ideas through her Teachers Pay Teachers shop and Instagram page.

Tune in, take notes, and let's keep it simple—because who needs to complicate things? ✏️💪

Bullet Points to Discuss:

• Keeping your goals and plans simple and focused.
• Explain findings in plain language.
• Ask targeted questions that lead to actionable advice.

Here’s what we learned:

• Advice for surviving your first year in the schools, including why it's okay to make mistakes. 
• How to prioritize and set goals that are realistic and impactful, without overwhelming yourself or the students. 
• Why "following directions" goals are trickier than they seem and how to make them work in the real world. 
• How to get the most useful feedback from teachers, even when they’re swamped! 
• Why less is more when it comes to setting goals and writing IEPs. 
• How to present IEP findings without drowning parents in technical terms

Learn more about  Lacee Johnson:

Social Media Links

Website: www.speechmemaybe.comwww.speechmemaybe.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechmemaybe

TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/speech-me-maybe

Freebie Links

Freebie Link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Speech-Machine-3845168

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, I reveal the secrets to creating a safe and supportive environment for older speech students, offering actionable strategies and insights. Learn how to boost engagement, confidence and learning outcomes by addressing common mistakes like overemphasizing correctness and neglecting personalization. Discover practical techniques for fostering a community-centric speech environment, promoting self-advocacy and incorporating relaxation methods. Tune in for a blend of practical advice, humor and inspiration that will leave you ready to make a positive difference in your students’ lives. 

Here’s what we learned:

• Importance of creating a safe, supportive environment for older speech students.
• Benefits include increased engagement, better learning outcomes, and improved self-esteem.
• Common SLP mistakes are overemphasizing correctness, lack of personalization, and insufficient positive reinforcement.
• Strategies to foster a nurturing space— build rapport, set clear expectations, encourage open communication and provide consistent feedback. 
• Promote peer support and collaboration.
• Teach self-advocacy, relaxation methods and social-emotional skills.
• Use “comfort contract” to maintain a positive and motivational speech room culture.
• Incorporate student interests and learning styles into sessions. 

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

🎥 Check out the Famous Failures YouTube video

💜 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 of SLP Coffee Talk, we chat with Elise Mitchell, the founder of the Therapy Support Network, who shares her journey from burnout to thriving as an independent contractor. Elise, who graduated from Missouri State University in 2013 with an M.S. CCC-SLP, initially spent six years working for virtual staffing companies. She took on various roles, including an SLP, school salesperson, and manager. 

However, after years of managing virtual services and dealing with provider management, Elise experienced burnout and low job satisfaction, prompting her to stay away from the school staffing industry. It was then that an unexpected opportunity to directly contract with a school presented itself. Elise found a renewed passion for working with schools, but this time as an independent contractor rather than an employee, allowing her to fully enjoy her work and maximize her career potential. 

In 2019, Elise established The Therapist Support Network with the mission of equipping school-based SLP, OT, and PT contractors with essential resources, a supportive community, and ongoing assistance. She developed key tools such as “The School Contractor Packet,” “School Contractor Training,” and "The School Staffing Packet and Training."

Here’s what we learned:

• Transitioning from staffing agencies to independent contracting.
• Benefits of earning 100% of contract profits.
• Importance of entrepreneurial mindset.
• Pricing services competitively and sustainably.
• Unique challenges faced by SLPs compared to OTs and PTs.
• Building local relationships and exploring hybrid private practice models.
• Growing trend of therapists hiring other therapists, especially in underserved rural areas.
• Establishing fair rates that reflect experience and ensure sustainability.
•  Practical aspects of calculating service minutes and billing for direct and indirect time. 

Learn more about Elise Mitchell:

Elise's Website: The Therapist Support Network

Instagram: @thetherapistsupportnetwork

Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolcontractors

Free School Contractor Checklist: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

💜 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 of SLP Coffee Talk, we are joined by Stephanie Sweigart from Golden State of Mind, a renowned expert in mindfulness and compassion-based practices within the realm of special education. Stephanie brings her wealth of experience as a certified Teacher of Mindfulness Meditation and a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist. As a featured presenter at the 2023 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s national convention, she is also the founder of Golden State Speech Pathology Services, Inc., a woman-owned Non-Public Agency established in 2013.  

Her insights have been showcased on various podcasts such as “Speechie Side Up” and “First Bite” where she delves into her enthusiasm and expertise in holistic professional practices. Her steadfast commitment to empowering individuals through clear and compassionate communication highlights her mission to create a significant impact in the realm of special education. Tune in to learn how to transform conflicts into productive dialogues, master deep listening and empathy and empower yourself with Nonviolent Communication techniques for better workplace harmony as an SLP.

Bullet Points to Discuss:

-Nonviolent Communication principles for the workplace

-A framework for peaceful collaboration

-How to listen, think, and speak with compassion

Here’s what we learned:

• Developing inner resources alongside technical skills can help maintain a balanced work environment.
• Transforming conflicts can prevent burnout and emotional stress. 
• Enhancing listening skills by addressing common blocks and adopting an empathetic approach.
• Understanding underlying emotions and needs is significant.
• Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s four-step process— observation, feelings, needs and requests.
• Focusing on empathy and collaboration to transform conflicts into productive dialogues.
• Prepare for conflicts by building inner resources and having strategies in place.
• Shifting from an ego-driven approach to one of empathy and collaboration.
•  Strategies for dealing with conflicts involving administrators and higher-ups.
• 
  

Learn more about Stephanie Michele Sweigart:

Social Media Links

Stephanie’s Instagram: @golden.state.slp

Stephanie’s Course: Experience the Power of  Compassionate Communication

Freebie Links

Free Conflict Quiz with PDF Guide to Support

Free Workbook Companion: Transforming Conflict into Peaceful Collaboration

Learn more about Hallie Sherman  and SLP:  

💜 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 are joined by Melanie Y. Evans (M.S. CCC-SLP, she/her/ella), a Spanish-bilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist dedicated to bridging gaps in speech-language pathology, education, and society. As the thought leader and CEO of Pediatric Speech Sister, Melanie equips SLPs with cultural competency tools through her online network. She fosters inclusivity by hosting live interviews with experts from multicultural communities, promoting cultural responsiveness in healthcare, education, and entertainment.

Melanie, a certified coach, also guides aspiring SLPs through the Praxis exam with her Praxis Speech Sister program, combining tutoring with mindset coaching. This program helps SLP Praxis Preppers overcome fears, achieve passing scores, and launch their dream careers. With a focus on BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, Melanie is devoted to closing the achievement gap. Tune in to discover how her multifaceted approach is creating a lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Here’s what we learned:

• Identifying common mindset barriers such as time management, test anxiety, and peer comparison.
• Concept of cultural compatibility as a blend of cultural competency and cultural humility.
• Strategies for clearing the mind and staying focused, such as taking walks or seeking distractions.
• Reflections on navigating fear, career changes, and financial decisions.

Learn more about Melanie Evans:

Cultural Competency: instagram.com/pediatricspeechsister

Praxis Coaching: instagram.com/praxisspeechsister

Abundance Mindset Coaching: instagram.com/theabundanceceo

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melanieyvonneevans

Melanie's Podcasts

tinyurl.com/praxisspeechsistermedia

tinyurl.com/pssmedia

Freeie Links from Melanie

For Praxis: tinyurl.com/praxisminicourse

For Pediatric Speech Sister:

- 5 Ways to Support BIPOC Children in Clinical and Educational Settings: https://tinyurl.com/supportBIPOCkids

- Introduction to Cultural Compatibility in Speech-Language Pathology: http://tinyurl.com/CCHandout2

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 have Brianna Guild – a private practice Speech-Language Pathologist in Ontario, Canada, providing virtual speech therapy focusing on literacy, language, and articulation. She created SLP Literacy Corner, sharing literacy resources and ideas for busy educators.

Join us as Brianna discusses creating effective writing goals, utilizing graphic organizers, and seamlessly integrating oral and written language skills. Plus, get her recommendations for animated shorts and non-fiction text resources to enhance your therapy sessions. Tune in for inspiration and practical strategies to elevate your speech therapy practice with older students!

Here’s what we learned:

• Incorporating students' personal interests into literacy-based therapy increases engagement and motivation, making learning more meaningful and impactful.
• Interconnected oral and written language goals promote meaningful progress when addressed simultaneously.
• Setting realistic writing goals for students instead of focusing solely on grade-level expectations.

Learn more about Brianna Guild:

Website: https://www.slpliteracycorner.ca/

TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Slp-Literacy-Corner

Instagram: @slp.literacy.corner https://www.instagram.com/slp.literacy.corner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082685452676

Website: https://www.slpliteracycorner.ca/

Freebie Links

FREE literacy handouts: https://slp-literacy-corner.myflodesk.com/literacy

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