Leslie

Back when I was in grad school, there was a girl a year behind me whom I really liked.  Very young.  Very sweet.  I loved her insight in classes.  Like me, she learned about disability through real life experience with family members.  When 2nd year students had to pick a first year buddy, I picked Leslie.  She appreciated my no sugar coating, tell it like it is introduction to grad school.  I gave her all of my GRE, and then my praxxis books with the understanding she had to pass it forward.  I did that, because I could see something special in her and wanted her to get into our program.   I encouraged her to go for a particular program at Children's her second year because I knew she would be a good fit.  I had completed the program myself and been involved in one way or another for several years.  after I told her to apply, I contacted the people I knew at the program and talked her up, telling them the million reasons why she would be such a benefit to the program.  Tonight, I had the chance to see just how right I was about my girl.

For many people, the caseloads I had the last two years would be challenging.  I worked with all levels of the autism spectrum, emotionally disturbed students, students with multiple disabilities, English Language Learners, and kids who had been suspended or expelled.  None of that phased me.  This year, I have a lot of little ones who can't say s, l, k, or r.  For me, that is the scariest thing ever!!!!  I invited Leslie over to give me some therapy ideas.  Holy cow!!! She is the phonology master.  I am now ready to kick some Hodson butt while opening a can of Geirut whoop &$@.  It takes a very good, experienced SLP to blend methodologies like that.

Leslie, thank you for the ideas tonight, but most of all, thank you for proving me spot on right about what an awesome speech language pathologist you would turn out to be!