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