So the 2 Turns Into 10 blog title wasn't regarding the # of jobs I've applied for; ha!...The 2 started out as the number of open ended questions I was asked on an application that soon turned into 10! It's amazing these days; the process of filling out an application, submitting resumes, letters of recommendations, and transcripts, on top of that answering questions that take a lot of thought and re-reading to make sure you have no grammatical errors!
ENJOY the questions and HOPEFULLY you will enjoy my answers...
Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be outstanding when working in student support services.
I believe the following skills are necessary to be outstanding when working with students: organized, encouraging, positive, punctual, respectful, and flexible. I am a very organized person in my home and in my work. I believe that organization is the key to a good classroom; when a teacher is organized her students can think clearly and learn themselves the benefits of organization. To be an encourager is a must when working with children. I feel that my role as an encourager to my students gives them strength to confront more difficult tasks/learning situations. Having a positive attitude shows students that even though negativity will happen around you, having a positive mindset will allow you to not let the situation control you, your thoughts, and feelings. Punctuality to me is a sign of respect; being punctual to work/class shows others around you that you respect what you do and that you respect the others around you. I feel that respectfulness to others shows that you care even when you may not agree; being respectful is allowing your feelings to not overshadow the thoughts or actions of another. Being respectful in all situations is a must in my classroom. A flexible teacher is one who allows time for her students to learn, listen, and ask questions and do it all over again in a different way if necessary. I’ve learned that what I have planned may not always work, and that’s okay; a flexible teacher yields successful students. I believe that these traits of being organized, encouraging, positive, punctual, respectful, and flexible are what make me who I am as an educator.
How would you address a wide range of issues in your groups?
I address a wide range of issues in my groups daily; that is my job! As an Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist I never have 2 kids that are alike; with each group I have children with different speech-language disorders that are often accompanied by other disorders/disabilities. My versatility to serve the needs of each individual student is what is required of me by federal law. It is challenging but very rewarding to serve multiple students at one time who require a variety of treatments and assistance. Addressing a wide range of issues in my groups is not a question; it’s just what I do.
What gives you the greatest pleasure in your work?
As an assistant speech-language pathologist I take great pleasure in my student’s accomplishments. I am amazed by my students on a daily basis and have come to cherish those “a-ha” moments that I see so often in therapy. I have chosen a very rewarding career so it is difficult to pick one pleasure that provides me with the greatest joy, but I would have to say that working with students diagnosed with Autism has provided me much pleasure. It’s those times when my students with Autism become frustrated and instead of hitting themselves, they clap their hands (for proprioceptive input) as I have taught them; that gives me great pleasure. It’s those times when my students with Autism realize that their communication device has a purpose and they use it to request for the first time; that gives me great pleasure. It’s those times when my students with Autism establish and maintain eye contact and nonverbally communicate their wants/needs through sign or gestures; that gives me great pleasure. It’s those times when a parent finds hope for their child with Autism and realizes that they can communicate; that gives me great pleasure. I have found over the past 4 years that my experiences with students who have been diagnosed with Autism are usually the most challenging but absolutely the most rewarding and those that I take greatest pleasure in.
How do you develop trust and mutual understanding with your supervisor?
Developing trust and a mutual understanding with my supervisor has never been a problem. I easily build rapport not only with students and parents, but my supervisors and administrators as well. I am always open to suggestions and feel that I am a good listener; this shows my supervisor that I do respect their opinion and appreciate their knowledge in regards to situations that I may be unfamiliar with. I am not afraid to ask questions and I take constructive criticism well. Having a trusting relationship as well as a mutual understanding with your supervisor is the only way to have an effective team to provide the best services to your students.
What is one thing you would want to improve about yourself? How would you go about it?
I enjoy being creative and I wish that I had more time to create activities for my students. I would like to set goals in regards to creating a certain number of activities each month so that my students could enjoy more “homemade” activities that would help carry-over concepts taught previously through other lessons and materials. Setting aside extra personal time to create individualized and creative activities for my students to address their IEP is something I would like to improve on.
When you have free time, what do you enjoy doing the most?
I grew up on the golf course with my dad, so I am an avid golfer; I love to hit the links with my husband whenever possible! I also enjoy playing tennis, going to the lake, playing with my dogs, and reading in a quiet place.
What do you see yourself doing five years from now? What would you like to be doing?
Five years from now I see myself in a school based setting continuing my career as an assistant speech-language pathologist with 9 years of service; I hope that Hays ISD is where I will be now and in the years to come!
Describe the classroom conditions that best facilitate student learning. Include strategies you would use to assure maximum learning for all students.
I believe the following classroom conditions best facilitate student learning: organization, encouragement, positivity, punctuality, respectfulness, and flexibility. I am a very organized person in my home and in my work. I believe that organization is the key to a good classroom; when a teacher is organized her students can think clearly and learn themselves the benefits of organization. To be an encourager is a must when working with children. I feel that my role as an encourager to my students gives them strength to confront more difficult tasks/learning situations. Having a positive attitude shows students that even though negativity will happen around you, having a positive mindset will allow you to not let the situation control you, your thoughts, and feelings. Punctuality to me is a sign of respect; being punctual to work/class shows others around you that you respect what you do and that you respect the others around you. I feel that respectfulness to others shows that you care even when you may not agree; being respectful is allowing your feelings to not overshadow the thoughts or actions of another. Being respectful in all situations is a must in my classroom. A flexible teacher is one who allows time for her students to learn, listen, and ask questions and do it all over again in a different way if necessary. I’ve learned that what I have planned may not always work, and that’s okay; a flexible teacher yields successful students. I believe that these traits of having an organized, encouraging, positive, punctual, respectful, and flexible classroom are what make me who I am as an educator and provides my students with the best learning environment possible.
In what ways are you qualified to address the issue of diversity as a part of your instructional program?
I am qualified by the state of Texas to address the issue of diversity in regards to my students and the speech-language disorders that they exhibit in my daily therapy with them with the professional license that I hold. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Stephen F. Austin State University with my Bachelors of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in December of 2005 and I have 4 years of experience working in school based settings where I have provided individual and group based therapy to students with multiple speech-language disorders accompanied by other disabilities. I address a wide range of issues in my groups daily; that is my job. As an Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist I never have 2 kids that are alike; with each group I have children with different speech-language disorders that are often accompanied by other disorders/disabilities. My versatility to serve the needs of each individual student is what is required of me by federal law. It is challenging but very rewarding to serve multiple students at one time who require a variety of treatments and assistance. Addressing a wide range of issues in my groups is not a question; it’s just what I do.
Use the space below to provide any additional information regarding your training, qualifications, or experience that will be relevant to the position(s) for which you are applying.
For the past 4 years I have worked in school based settings as an Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist. During the first 2 years of my career with Athens ISD I worked with children ranging from PPCD-12th grade. I provided therapy to these students in small group settings as recommended by my supervising speech-language pathologist. I served kids at 5 different campuses and provided therapy to approximately 90 students. My students ranged from articulation/language disorders to students with multiple handicaps and disabilities. The wide variety of students that I served while at AISD gave me great insight that helped me prepare and become the therapist that I am today. During the past 2 years of my career with Socorro ISD I have worked with children ranging from 3 years of age-5th grade. I currently provide therapy to students in small group and individual settings as recommended by my supervising speech-language pathologist. I am currently stationed at one campus and serve approximately 50 students. My campus houses 2 special education units, a Structured Learning Unit which has 4 students who I provide therapy for and a Self-Contained Academic Unit which has 13 students who I provide therapy for. These students have been diagnosed with disabilities such as: down syndrome, autism, aspergers, emotional disorders, and learning disabilities. These students have become my pride and joy and it is a true pleasure to work daily with them and collaborate with their teachers in order to reach their maximum potential and to provide generalization skills. I also assist my supervising speech-language pathologist with a Phonological Abilities and Awareness Class that we provide to students ages 3-5 who are not currently enrolled in school. We hold this class twice a week for 2 hour sessions. Receiving therapy for 4 hours a week has proven to be beneficial for these students with severe phonological disorders; our PAAC currently has 8 students. The remainder of my 25 students are completely mainstreamed students who present speech-language disorders who have learning disabilities, high functioning Autism, or speech only impairments. I also have experience in using assistive technology and following behavior intervention plans. I currently have a student diagnose d with autism who uses a high tech sequencing, voice output, communication device. The knowledge that I have gained from this student alone has provided me with many opportunities to learn myself as a therapist. I communicate weekly with his private therapist and send home work to be used by parents and his private speech-language pathologist. This open line of communication, I feel, between home and school is the only way to provide students with a positive and progressive means of therapy. Following interventions outlined in behavior intervention plans is now part of my daily routine. I document daily notes and send home daily reports of interventions used in the speech therapy room for my student with which a BIP was required. I feel that the experience I’ve had these past 4 years with Athens ISD and Socorro ISD will provide me with great knowledge and opportunities to use as an Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist with Georgetown ISD. I have attached my resume for your viewing. Please call or email me if you have any questions.
*Questions copied from various applications
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