Back to the Grind



It's official.... summer is over (at least for me and my fellow 750+ colleagues).

I've been back to the grind for four days now and it's always funny how it feels like I was just here.

Last night was our Open House/Back to School Night.  I love watching the students coming in so excited to meet their new teacher, wanting to quick visit their previous teachers and parents smiling ear to ear thinking, "they're all yours for the next 9 months."  I only wish this excitement could stay with all of them throughout the entire year... hee hee. 

This is the start of my 13th year at Glendale so I get plenty of visits from students past, present and future.  Some make me feel really old..."I remember when you were in Kindergarten," as I am looking at the student towering over me.  While others make my gears turn as soon as I see them..."Oooo we are going to have fun this year.  I have some new ideas!!"  And of course there are those who aren't yet on my caseload, but a parent or teacher has already stopped to ask me questions or give me a "heads up" to have a chat with their son, daughter or student. 

This is always such a great kick off to the school year and I am looking forward to seeing these smiling faces back here on September 4th.

Pinterest... Fun and Functional

I was introduced to Pinterest (a virtual bulletin board) by a friend and co-worker early last spring.  I initially just followed a few friends and "pinned" ideas for home improvements, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and my boys.  However, as time went on (not too much mind you) my addiction took hold and I was a servant to the Pinterest gods.  I have now created boards for many areas in the realm of speech and language (articulation, language, fluency, social communication) which include resources for speech/language development, strategies and activities to implement in therapy, the use of technology in therapy, in addition to resources via other SLPs blogs.  As the school year progresses, I imagine I will be reviewing and sharing ideas, strategies, activities, and visuals that students can use at school or home to improve their speech and language skills.