I have to laugh, or else I might cry.

How many other professions get to write texts such as the one I wrote today...

Top 10 Reasons to be a School-based Speech Pathologist

I had not intended to work in the public schools.

I actually fled teaching after a one year nightmarish career as a high school science teacher.

The plan was that I would finish my Master's degree and begin working with adults in a rehab center. Adults like my father after his stroke. Or the sweet ladies I worked with in grad school. But I couldn't find a job in that area. Or in any area with adults. So... I ended up back in the school system from which I had previously fled.

And then I moved and took a one year internship studying Augmentative and Alternative Communication. This was going to be it! My big break! My chance to get into a truly amazing career.

But still...I ended up back in the public schools. And part way through that year, I realized I loved it. I have experienced many forms of pediatric speech therapy (hospitals, rehab, in-home private, consult). But I have not tried to change job settings in nine years.

And so I'm faced with a dilemma. How do I convince my student practicum Speech Pathologists that the schools are where-it's-at? The commonly perceived idea in SLP grad school is that working in the schools is "settling" (and I have to admit that initially this was true for me!). And three of my last four student teachers have ended up taking non-school jobs.

This year has without a doubt been my most challenging year. Not only has my case-loud increased by 33%, but the severity of my students' disabilities have increased even more. And the budget cuts mean that we have less support for more and needier students. So to convince both myself and my student teachers that the public schools are a great place to work, I have developed a top ten list.

Top 10 Reasons to be a School-based Speech Pathologist:
10. Cute aprons and theme day apparel (not to mention jeans to work if I so desire).

9. Special Olympics and other fun field trips.

8. Work with disadvantaged kids who otherwise get little help (because of lack of family support, lack of finances, or both). Make a direct impact in the community. Foster social-justice.

7. Work with children for up to 6 consecutive years. Watch them progress, grow, and develop over time and even continue relationships with students who have "graduated" from services.

6. Work with a huge array of children and needs: Autism, Augmentative Communication, Articulation, Language, Hearing, etc.

5. Create my own materials focusing on books or activities that I enjoy.

4. Competitive salary with hospital and rehab based Speech Pathologists (and possibly more). Great benefits. Regular, steady paychecks.

3. Focus therapy on topics that directly impact the lives of my students (school curriculum, making friends, grade level, materials, etc.).

2. Work directly with kids 1-5 days each week, and greet almost every student on my caseload daily.

1. SUMMER VACATION