SLP Spotlight
Interview Series
When I began Daily Cup Of Speech, I never realized how it would allow me to connect with so many SLPs and future SLPs from around the world! I have LOVED getting to know so many other people who are also passionate about all things communication! I am thankful for technology and social media that allows us to bridge the gaps for our SLP community to be able to share and collaborate so much easier!
This week I am excited to begin a new series on my blog: SLP Spotlight! This blog interview series will be with SLPs who have a variety of interests and/or specialty areas! While some of the questions are for fun, there will also be great advice and insight! This week on the blog is Shannon Werbeckes from Speechy Musings! I love reading Shannon’s quotes and am always inspired by her creativity! Shannon is a resource designer, blogger and optimist. When creating products she focuses on practical and easy to use materials for SLPs.
SLP SPOTLIGHT:
Shannon Werbeckes
What is your favorite children’s book and why?
My favorite children’s book is either Corduroy or The Monster at the End of This Book, both for sentimental reasons. I also love The Velveteen Rabbit and included quotes from that book in my wedding vows. My mom and I read picture books together so much when I was younger and I still remember many of the books we read over and over and over. Thanks, mom!
If you were put on an island and could only have 3 things with you for speech therapy what would you bring and why?
A dry erase board (with markers!), a low-tech AAC board, and a bucket of random trinkets and toys! When I was in Ghana last year doing SLP work, I did so many sessions with these items and was reminded of how little you need to practice communication!
What is your favorite quote and why?
As you could have probably guessed, I love quotes and have many, many favorites. Two that I can think of off the top of my head are “She believed she could so she did” and “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire”. I’m always been proud of my work ethic and my ability to commit to things I want to do, no matter what hurdles pop up in my way!
What is your special interest in the field of speech-language pathology?
So many things! Everything related to AAC, language therapy, and autism are probably my top 3 though!
What is some of the best SLP advice you have ever received?
To always stay focused on the little humans I’m working with! This sounds simple enough but I think sometimes SLPs get so bogged down with data collection, developmental norms, milestones, and paperwork that we can forget this. The kids we get to work with are pretty amazing!
Tell me what you’re working on right now.
I’m working on a sentence combining resource! I think sentence combining is one of the most effective tools in our toolbox for treating syntax difficulties and I haven’t been able to find a resource that was easy to use and effective for teaching sentence combining.
If you had to be something other than an SLP, what would you choose and why?
I love being an SLP so it’s hard to imagine! I love being an entrepreneur so I’d probably pick that. I love being creative, learning, and I’m really multi-passionate. I’m lucky to be able to do something where I’m able to combine all sorts of passions, interests, and skills that I’ve developed over the last decade or so! I’m always coming up with ideas so I think being an entrepreneur is a perfect fit for me!
Check out Shannon’s blog and follow her on social media at:
