Project Progress Report

Earlier in the year, each ISM-er came up with a couple long term and short term goals
that would affect their professional and personal lives. I focused on my career in speech
language pathology, claiming that I hope to some day lead a class of speech students in an
atmosphere where they feel comfortable and confident. This concept continues to be my end
goal, and I believe that I am in the process of taking the necessary steps to achieve this dream.

I am furthering my own education regarding speech language pathology in the form of

an Original Work project. My journey in becoming a successful speech pathologist begins right
now, as I spread the importance of a childs language development during their early years. My
Original Work project is designed to inform elementary school teachers of some common red
flags regarding a speech or language disability. It includes a student survey, teacher handout,
and ten to fifteen minute presentation. The student survey was originally intended to reach out
to 10 students who had taken speech classes or attended speech therapy at some point in their
lives. However, I was able to receive about 50 responses! The survey was sent out to each ISM
class via email, and I was so pleased to have received so much participation. Not everyone who
filled out the survey had experience in speech therapy, which allowed me to calculate even
more statistics to use in my teacher handout and presentation. These statistics include:

Over 30% of students surveyed were involved in speech therapy at some point in their
lives
42% of their therapy was conducted through FISD schools
50% of these students began therapy in elementary school
A teachers recommendation to an on-campus SLP resulted in over 20% of these
students participation in speech therapy. (Therapy they otherwise would not
have received so early, if at all.)

I was also able to receive various testimonials regarding the benefit of speech therapy from real
students.

The second portion of my original work is the teacher handout. These handouts are a
sort of pocket-reminder for any teachers who have concerns about a particular student's
development. Each foldable lists forms of atypical speech or language behavior that may
indicate a disability, thus encouraging teachers to notify a speech pathologist as soon as
possible. I had originally planned on creating one Master handout to be used by teachers of all
grade levels. However, after some further research and discussion with my mentor, I have
decided it best to make a separate handout for each grade level. This is especially due to the
fact that language milestones are incredibly vague and subjective, and should be simplified and
categorized as accurately as possible. Below is an outline of what each handout will look like.
*Please note that the above information may not appear on the final print
These handouts will cost $3.00 for photography rights, and $26.00 for printing them at Staples
with a professional, glossy finish. Staples offers same-day printing, so I am most likely going to
order them on the week before April 27th. (My presentation date.)

My presentation is the last step regarding my Original Work project. I have already discussed
the majority of the logistics with Mrs. Gentry, and I must now email the Curtsinger librarian and
ask for her permission to speak in her library on the 27th of April. (This is a date that both Mrs.
Gentry and I feel would be easiest on the teachers.) After I receive confirmation from Mrs.
McInnis, the librarian, I will invite the team leaders of each grade level to come to my
presentation. I am also planning on providing miniature bundt cakes to show my gratitude, as
well as handwritten thank you notes to each audience member.