News Archive
Mahalo Speech-Language Pathologists
May 18, 2023
In honor of National Speech-Language Pathologist Day, HGEA would like to mahalo the work of our dedicated speech-language pathologists (SLPs). These professionals provide critical support to help students improve their communication skills. We're so proud to represent them.
Here are a few of their stories:
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Maria Cappello, Kauai Speech Pathologist IV, Dept. of Education Unit 13 Member My job makes a positive impact in the community because we work with students to help them access a basic human right: communication. That could be through speech generating devices, sign language, words or all of the above! Speech-language pathologists work to ensure everyone has a voice. I am so proud of all my students every day. One of my initially nonverbal students started talking. He’s now using sentences! |
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Holly Conklin (Pippin), Hawaii Island Speech Pathologist IV, Dept. of Education Unit 13 Member Being able to communicate with others in the community is necessary to self-advocate and be a contributing member of society. I am committed to making this possible for my students as ‘talk story’ is a very important cultural aspect. Since working at the DOE, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. Treatment left me completely deaf in one ear and has led me to have more understanding about navigating the world with a disability. It has also increased empathy towards my students. |
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Jeanne Iwashita, Oahu Speech Pathologist IV, Dept. of Education Unit 13 Member The most rewarding thing about being a speech-language pathologist with the DOE is seeing our students (aged 3-21) learn communication skills. Experiencing moments when a child begins to speak, sign, or use augmentative communication is very exciting and gratifying. We are proud of the small moments when our students learn new skills, such as speaking for the first time, using a communication device independently, or by simply having a student interact or smile at us. |
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Karen Kama, Oahu Speech Pathologist IV, Dept. of Education Unit 13 Member Watching children grow, communicate effectively and gain confidence is the most rewarding aspect of being a speech-language pathologist. One of my favorite things to see is a former student out in public conversing with friends and working within the community. Recently a former student surprised me by taking my order at a drive-through and was performing all the goals we had set for them while they had therapy. They did great and I was so proud of them! |
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Mary Pescador, Oahu Speech Pathologist IV, Dept. of Education Unit 13 Member A speech-language pathologist’s work has a ripple effect, starting with directly helping students express themselves, whether that is through verbal or non-verbal means. We strive to support parents and teachers by providing strategies so that they can help their students and children improve their communication skills in class and at home. This results in students who have an increased quality of life and are in a better position to be community contributors. I love when a teacher or parent tells me that a student, who previously had minimal expressive language skills, now “talks too much!” |
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Christie Salvador, Oahu Speech Pathologist IV, Dept. of Education Unit 13 Member The most rewarding thing about being a speech-language pathologist is working with students and watching them grow their skills to become successful communicators. I have 19 years of success stories that I'm proud of, such as seeing the joy when a non-speaking student asks for a toy using a device and is actually understood, or the appreciation from a parent who is finally able to understand what her child is saying. The impact I have on the individual lives of each student is what I'm most proud of. |