by Mariah Sparacio, National School Recruiter at Epic Special Education Staffing
The 2022-2023 school year has been busy for many Speech-Language Pathologists, and the next few weeks will likely be no less hectic. SLPs are working hard to provide services to students as they finish their last days of therapy, evaluations, and documentation, preparing for the upcoming summer break. Due to year-long transitions, this can be a challenging time for families, schools, and our educators. As we continue through this busy time together, here are some tips on successfully ending the 2022-2023 school year.
Time Management
The key to success in any job is time management, and this is particularly true for school-based SLPs. Remember to manage your time wisely and effectively, and set a schedule for yourself to ensure you achieve your goals.
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- Be aware of any upcoming IEP deadlines and meetings.
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- Work efficiently with paperwork; complete documentation before the week’s or day’s end.
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- Try to find an opportunity to complete documentation while spending time with your students, such as while your students are in groups with you.
Communication
Effective communication is also a vital component of success for SLPs. In school-based settings collaborating with teachers, parents, and other school staff is essential to providing the best possible support to students with communication needs. Be sure to communicate with teachers, parents, and other school staff. Teachers or school-based therapists by profession are often very busy and may not ask for help. Self-advocate for help! You are not alone. Be realistic with the deadlines you’re given, and communicate your ability to adhere to those deadlines with your leaders. Ask lead SLPs, mentor SLPs, or even your principal for help. If you’re on a contract with Epic Special Education Staffing, you can lean on your Relationship Manager to be the liaison between you and the school where you are employed – this can be especially helpful for tricky conversations! There is no such thing as over-communication, especially with paperwork and caseload numbers.
Support from a Clinical Manager
At Epic Special Education Staffing, we understand that the work of school-based SLPs is both challenging and rewarding. That’s why we provide our candidates with support from our Clinical Manager, Margaret Curly. Margaret has been an SLP for over 20 years and is committed to helping our SLPs succeed. She provides our candidates with access to the latest research and best practices in Speech Therapy and Special Education, as well as advice on managing caseloads, paperwork, meetings, and more. Margaret is always available to answer any questions or guide our candidates, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.
Making Every Day Count
For SLPs, paperwork and school meetings can often take priority, but it is important to recognize what really matters: the students! As you prepare to end the 2022-2023 school year, it’s inspiring to remember that the work you do with your students is forever unfolding. The communication skills and methods implemented in the classroom today will provide your students with a solid foundation for endless future success.
If you are looking for available school-based Speech-Language Pathologists opportunities or want to learn more about the support Margaret Curly provides to our therapists, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We are here to help you succeed and make a difference in the lives of your students.
About the Author:
Mariah Sparacio is a National School Recruiter at Epic Special Education Staffing. With over five years of recruiting experience, Mariah is responsible for staffing school-based clinicians across the United States. Mariah is passionate about building relationships with candidates and prides herself on active communication and transparency. Mariah credits her success to identifying what a candidate is looking for in their next career and valuing what makes them truly happy and motivated to show up to work each day! Mariah enjoys estate sale hunting, DIY home décor projects, & afternoon walks. Mariah earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and resides in Texas with her husband, David, and tabby cat.
