How can I continue to forge my professional and academic development? How might I inquire (research) into my learning in an ongoing manner? How might my professional and academic development and practice be informed by my ongoing research? How do I respond to opportunities for inquiry (research)? How do I meet my own learning needs?
I feel I can continue my professional and academic development as a speech-language pathologist by attending conferences such as ASHA, reading articles, and simply discussing thoughts and/or ideas with my peers/co-workers pertaining to a specific topic. After this semester, I feel that I will be much more efficient in research and less intimidated to learn new concepts. I have already obtained skills to more accurately surf the net, send email, and search multiple databases. Other classes, such as CD 424L, have given me some experience looking at diagnostic tests and reading their manuals. This has helped me understand more about the mechanics of the test. I already feel that I have more confidence in myself to look in an Examiner’s Manual to find an answer to something I am not sure of. These disciplines will help my learning to continue in the future. Professional and Academic development, as well as, practice are all related, to me. If you strive to do your best academically then a foundation will develop from your learning and it can be used throughout your professional career, thus resulting in professional development that may be used in your practice. Practice will also give opportunity to learn from experience, which is the best teacher. I respond to the opportunities for research by taking time to read an article or talk to others that may be more familiar with the topic I am inquiring. By taking the time and discipline to allow myself to think and review subject material, in which interests me, I am able to meet my learning needs.

What were some of the values and attitudes toward education expressed in your family? How have these influenced your thinking and your practice (as a student)?

Growing up my family always had a positive and encouraging attitudes toward education. As a child of an educator, my mother always seemed to include some type of educational event throughout each holiday or season, even family vacations turned out to be recreational, as well as, educational. I was raised in a mountainous area and even a ride to the store would become an educational adventure. We would talk about the changing of the leaves and transition of the seasons from summer to fall. During the holidays, such as, Thanksgiving, we were always reminded of our first settlers and there was usually a video or storybook that followed the theme of the season/holiday. On summer vacations, I remember trekking through caverns, touring museums, visiting zoos and aquariums, and even exploring through a historic battleship. From visiting the Wright Brother’s museum in North Carolina to touring lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast, my parents always made our vacations fun, yet educational. I think this has greatly influenced my attitude toward learning because I know that learning doesn’t always have to be boring. My dad always encouraged my brother, sister, and me to do math and not be afraid of it. I can remember waiting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office and my dad pulled out all kinds of change from his pocket and he told me if I could count it I could have it. I was very exited because nickels and dimes seemed like a million bucks back then. However, I hadn’t been taught how to count money yet and I got frustrated and wanted to give up but dad wouldn’t let me and that day dad taught me how to count by fives, I’ll never forget it.

If I ever learned anything from my family, it is that you can do or be anything you want to be if you just believe in yourself and set your mind to it. My mother always says you can do anything if you want it bad enough. Both of my parents have their own careers but they are always open to new ideas and take classes and workshops to keep their skills up to par. They have made education an important part of my life. My mother has taught me how to manage time and that has allowed me to have good study habits. I know both of my parents have worked hard to get where they are today and it may be tuff getting there but when you do the rewards are endless.

Why do you want to become a speech-language pathologist? What was it about being a speech-language pathologist that drew you to this profession?

People often ask me, “What are you studying in college?” I usually say, Speech Pathology and Audiology or Communication Disorders. Many respond by, “Oh, that’s good” with a puzzled look on their face. I proceed to tell them about Speech Pathology, in laymen’s terms of course, and they usually ask, “What made you decide to do that?” There are many different ways to respond to this but I just explain to them that I am a social person and I could not imagine not being able to communicate my thoughts and/or ideas effectively. I feel that if I can help someone do/learn a simple task to help them in their everyday lives then I will have made a difference. I know that I will not be able to “fix” everyone, however, I may be able to help improve one’s communication skills. The more I learn about speech-language pathology, the more eager I am to become an SLP.
When I was young I always wanted to be a teacher, that’s what my mother is and everyone wants to be like their mother, right? Anyway, I loved to play school but I also liked playing doctor and nurse (with all those cute gadgets from Fisher Price.) But, in all actuality, I couldn’t imagine me in a room with 25 kids or in a cold hospital wearing funny looking shoes. For a while I was undecided, but after my freshman year at Marshall, my mom suggested that I go into speech. I researched it and thought it was very neat so I tried it. Now, I know it is what I want to do it interests me and there seems to be a demand for SLP’s in many places. I think speech-language pathology is a very interesting and many people aren’t aware that it exists.