Friday, November 21, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm truly blessed with a whole week off for Thanksgiving! This has been a VERY busy year, and I am really needing the break! Within the last month I've been sick at least twice, tested 10 kids (and all of you with experience in the schools know EXACTLY what all paperwork that entails!), and have picked up a second job. Jennifer and I both work for a home health company that contracts through other companies. Unfortunately I've only eval'd one patient, but with everything else going on I'm still exhausted!
Whether you have a week, 3 days, or just Thursday off, enjoy your time off and spend it with the ones you love!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Erin's Updates

Hi everyone. So I think I have posted on here once, but I really can't remember. This year I changed school's. I am still with the same district, but wanted to try something other than middle and highschool. I am now 2 days a week at an elementary school, seeing mostly artic kids and some language kids. Which we are starting to implement as a part of RTI, a speech improvement class for Artic kids that only have 1 to 2 sound erros, this way we can get those kids off IEP's and save ourselves so many meetings and paperwork! Oh the woes of IEP paperwork!!
One day a week I have been assigned what they call "Non-Public Schools" which, is what I thought they were calling "private schools" until I got two days a week assigned to the "Private School Team". These I found out quickly were two totally different things.

So the Non-Public assignment is for kids that the district has paid to place at "specialty" schools for their disorders, like Autism or MR, or if they are more involved kiddos with CP etc, where they coudln't function in our most severe classrooms at the public school level. So I only do assessments for the students and then present the info at their Triennial's or 3 year reviews.

Then for the "Private School Team", this is where parents have chosen to privately place their kids, but their kids still qualify for special ed. So under the IDEA law, we have to legally provide service plans for these students, which includes testing every 3 years for their triennial's and having an annual IEP for them to. So I see some kids, but its consult only on these two days, it's mostly going to meetings and deciding parent's areas of concern and then testing and holding more meetings to share results.

So my life in a nutshell is artic therapy, driving all over San Diego to assess heavliy involved students, meetings, and more assessments. Fun stuff!

My hopes are for next year to keep the "Private School Team" placement 2 days a week, and then go into working for this center for 3 days a week, where it's sorta like private practice but not. I have several SLP friends doing it and loving it.

I wanted to share a website that I found and did a 30 day free trial, and it is amazing! Definitely check it out, but be warned, if you are doing therapy with the elementary population you will want to print everything out! www.therasimplicity.com

I miss you guys and would love to hear updates from all of you. This summer I got to see Kay, Kellie and Amber all for a little bit in Abilene. So good to see you guys. This summer the highlights were a cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, and enjoying the beach here in San Diego, going home to Texas to visit family, and moving apartments.

Ok that's enough, my carpel tunnel is kicking in from typing :)

Sunday, September 21, 2008

E-mail...please

Hello girls..hope this finds everyone doing wonderful..I just received an e-mail from Kim at ACU she wanted everyone to send her their e-mail address. I told her I would ask everyone to send it to her (she said Dr. Bender wanted them..scary huh?..she can't give us assignments AFTER we graduate can she?:) I think Kim's address at school is kimberly.cummings@acu.edu hopefully that's right I forgot to double check before blogging. Thanks and enjoy the upcoming FALL season.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Hi Everyone!

Hi! Sorry I haven't posted before....but I have been reading when everyone else posts! I was just too lazy to figure out how to do this whole blog thing. So, I hope I get this right and it actually posts!
School has been crazy this year! But so much better now that I kinda know what to do. I'm still with Tri-County Education Co-op and I LOVE IT! I have Hamlin and Stamford again this year so it was nice to already know my kids and most of the teachers!

Nothing exciting has been happening with us...Shane switched jobs this summer and now works at Arrow Chrysler Jeep. So, if you need a car, he can get you a deal! :)

We did try to take a 2nd honeymoon (remember the 1st one? I was in the hospital for most of it!). We went down to Mazatlan Mexico for a week. When we got back, Shane spent a day in the ER and they determined that he had salmonella poisoning-the same strain that hit everyone in the U.S. But, he got his in Mexico! At least it wasn't me this time! I think we've decided that next summer we'll stay a little closer to home.

While we were gone, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. We did find out early enough so they think they've gotten all of it. She started radiation last week and will go every day for 6 weeks. She is in good spirits but is already starting to get tired. It was definitely a roller-coaster of events this summer!

I saw Erin this summer and told her I would send her a list of websites that I've found helpful in planning therapy/printing materials. So, here it is!
http://www.dltk.com/
http://www.speakingofspeech.com/
http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster2/sptherapy.html
http://www.speechtherapygames.com/ (this site offers great games for you to print off your computer. They're really cheap and my kids love them! She also has a Yahoo group that you can join for free and users share their own ideas)
http://www.netrox.net/~labush/colrpres.htm (great for early learning)

Hope some of these are useful for those of you in the school!
I talked to Kim the other day and she said that Dr. Bender is needing all of our email addresses for something. She asked that we send them to her at kac00f@acu.edu

Is anyone coming for Homecoming?

Monday, September 1, 2008

Seems everyone is doing it... =)

Hey guys! I'm not fortunate enough to be done with my CF yet, but I'm anxiously anticipating the day that happens.

I had the chance to spend the summer working for EBS in Los Angeles. It was so completely amazing. I really enjoyed my kids but of course I enjoyed the beach, the Cali boys and the fun little touristy things the most! =) I had the chance to experience most of what LA had to offer: from enduring an earthquake, to living in Hollywood, to swing dancing with Bill Nye The Science Guy. Hahaha. It was all quite memorable and I can't wait to go back next year!!!

Anyway, I've had quite the summer and being back at school and working again is really going to be great. I now have a job through EBS with Dallas ISD. I'm a little worried because it seems like it's going to be really challenging compared to my last assignment. I have one school with a largely hispanic population and I'm also taking on a private catholic school especially for kids with special needs. Am I concerned about this? Actually, yes. I don't know quite what to expect yet and as we all know, the unknown is almost always the most daunting. But I have a great supervisor for this last part of my CF and I'm pretty sure everything will work out. It all usually falls into place after a while, doesn't it? =)

Anyway, love to you all and good luck on your respective jobs!!! It's great to hear from you through this venue =) =) =)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

I have changes too!

I am glad everyone is doing well! Congratulations on all those starting new jobs! Congratulations on building a house Kay! I am still at the same school in San Antonio, but I have new coworker. She just graduated in May and is starting her CFY! I am now the seasoned SLP for our school! We have been back to work for a week and a half and I am experiencing what it must have been like when I was asking my coworker so many questions last year! I hope I can be a good example for my coworker.

I had a little trouble getting my CCC's. My CFY was supposed to end on the 6th of June, but my supervisor and I met and signed papers on the 3rd. They sent the papers back and I had to call my supervisor up on her summer break (just days before we were to both go out of town) and meet her to resign them! After that everything went fine.

I also have moved to an apartment! I am no longer living with my parent! You were right Kellie, I have been learning a lot by myself and enjoying living alone! It is a two bedroom nicely wooded area just seconds away from grocery stores and shopping and only 10 to 15 minutes from work!

Monday, July 28, 2008

a whirlwind!

i, too, am now a ccc-slp! (or is it ccc/slp? sad- i still don't know!) anyway, i signed on for another year with the waxahachie district. my plan for the summer to find some prn work when my paperwork went through was a bust because the paperwork just went through a couple weeks ago. but that ended up just fine- i have thoroughly enjoyed my summer "off".
i worked with the special olympics swim team twice a week, spent some much needed time with friends and family and my boyfriend, Mark. I know, I have failed to mention this piece of information! Long story short- it's the same guy i dated some last summer for those who remember. we've been together (again) for over 5 official months, plus 2 dating months. we weren't looking for each other AT ALL but have now found ourselves in a somewhat serious relationship and who knows what the future holds for us!
i start back to work august 18, and once i get into the swing of things i am thinking about finding some prn work.
thanks for all of your updates, and hope all is well with those of you who haven't updated!

Kellie's Updates..

I am so glad I am able to keep track of how (and what) everyone is doing on here. I am happy for those of you who are beginning new adventures..that is exciting! I thought it would only be fair to report my latest happenings. I am still at Hendrick Outpatient Rehab and absolutely love it..I have the most amazing work environment and get to see some very special kids (and occasionally as my schedule permits neuro patients). Brandon, Chance and I moved into the new house about 3 or 4 weeks ago..I have already lost track. I am still trying to figure out what I want where and all of that fun stuff. We absolutely love it out here we have the most amazing views of the city lights at night, the mountain (note: it is called Steamboat Mountain, however, those of you who looked around while you were living in Abilene realize it is more on the hill side) and we are at the end of a street leading into two private drives so it is extremely peaceful. It is a wonderful area-beautiful homes-wonderful neighbors. However, we are finding out that taking care of so much property is a serious chore. We planted 14 palates of Tiff sod and the lack of rain ought to be interesting come water bill time! I promise I am planning on posting house pictures soon-hopefully tonight on our blog- bkfischer.blogspot.com. In addition, we are leaving for Disney World soon! I have never been and I am extremely excited. Oh, I almost forgot..the best news...I received my Texas license and my CCCs several weeks ago- I can't believe I have finally finished all of that! I don't know about y'all but I remember being in undergraduate and graduate school thinking that it would be forever (if ever) until I was finished with all those requirements and now here we are...done! Hope everyone is doing well. Keep in touch.

Changes for Everyone

Thanks for updating Kay! I was thinking the same thing yesterday! I'm so excited for you and your new job! I know it's something that you've wanted to do for a long time. Things on my side of the world have gone so well. If you read my blog you probably all know what's going on but just in case you don't here it is. First, I actually liked working for EBS but of course it has it's downfalls. I knew that if I stayed in that position I would never grow as a therapist. I began hoping for a way out! In November, I was offered an assistant coaching position for my old cross country team. I was so excited and knew I found that way out! So I looked around and found nothing. I finally called the SLP who is contracted with the school I was going to coach for and only hoped that she needed someone else. It turned out that she did and I took a job with her. I'll be seeing some kids in the morning until 10:00 and then head over to the school and stay there until 3:00. Oh, this is also the school Dave works at so we will be together. We are really excited and anticipating the new change! On the side I've been applying for PRN work in long term care facilities! I just hope the get some experience this way (since we all know I didn't get any in grad school!) and transition over completely when I feel it's time! I walked inside a nursing home the other day and just got so excited. I thought, "This is where I belong!" I can't wait but I really don't feel like it's time now so I'm trying to be patient with God's timing!

On a side note, I couldn't believe how easy it was for me to get my certification from ASHA and my licensure. The state board is meeting August 16th to discuss all the new applicants for licensure so I'm just hoping things will continue to go as smoothly as they have been. Is there anyone else who has changed their job placement after the first year? Or does anyone have any nightmare experiences with certification and licensure stuff? Fill us in!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

A Year Later

Hey Girls! I can't believe it's been over a year since we graduated and parted ways. It seems like time has flown by and things aren't slowing down! It's been a while since everyone posted updates, so I'm curious about how everyone is doing?!?

Things here in Abilene for Chris and I are definitely different than they were a year ago. We are in the process of building a house which is so exciting! I've been trying to blog about the experience and post pictures. If anyone is interested, you can check the progress at http://www.gibbsnation.com/chrisandkay. On the job front, I'm no longer a school SLP...I'm now working in long term care in Merkel. I wasn't planning on changing jobs, but an unexpected phone call from a rehab company changed my mind. The opportunity to try something new was too overwhelming so I took the job! I've been in it two weeks. The first two days were a whirlwind complete with tears and asking myself "What in the world was I thinking?" But, things have settled down, and I've begun to make the transition from seeing elementary students to geriatric patients. If anyone has any tips, tricks, and ideas, please send them my way!

So, if your life has changed like mine...or even if it hasn't, please reply to this post so we can all catch up! Miss you girls!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

the last lap

I don't know when most of y'all get out of school, but in Waxahachie we have one staff work day-tomorrow- and then we're done! I can't believe how fast time has flown! And- now REALLY comes time to swim in paperwork! Some of you may have already turned yours in and are a step ahead of the game. But for those that haven't, I THINK this is what we need to turn in to ASHA:

  • Report & Rating Form
  • Application for Certification and Membership, $336 fee, and make sure you include the "Application Form" that Dr. Bender signed last May
  • KASA form
  • Official transcript
  • Praxis scores (for those like me who forgot to have them sent when we took it!)
  • Journal Selection Form

For TEXAS gals I think we need:

  • Report of Completed Internship Form
  • Application Form, $163
  • Transcript
  • Praxis Scores

IF ANY OF YOU KNOW OF SOMETHING ELSE I'M FORGETTING PLEASE TELL ME ASAP! I'm planning on mailing my stuff in the next few days and really hope I've got it all together. Kinda scary, but REALLY exciting! Hope everything is going great for each of you; miss you all!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Hello Everyone!!

I am so sorry I have not been posting any information but I promise I have been checking on everyone. You see I deleted the e-mail with our password (go figure) and had I not run into by dear friend Chanan at Outback I still would just be an observer. Thanks Chanan! I really enjoy reading how everyone is doing, I miss you all very much. Update on what is going on with me: I am now working at Hendrick Outpatient Rehabilitation Center and before you gasp, the transition (aka: CFY paperwork) it all actually went very smoothly. Although I probably shouldn't speak before I actually have my CCCs in hand! Brandon and I are closing in slowly on finishing our house. I know it will be wonderful when it is finished it has been more work than I ever could have imagined. We are out there every evening and all weekend long working away. Speaking of the house, amazingly I have a blog! It was at the request of relatives who wanted to get updates on the house building process. I would love for yall to check it out-it is at bkfischer.blogspot.com. I must say I need to update it because the brick and rock is being put on the outside and we have a roof-but you will get the idea (plus you can see pictures of my son/dog) Well, I hope this find all of you doing very well and taking care of yourselves. I wish we could all plan a weekend to try and meet-wouldn't that be fun! (because we all have SO much spare time:) PS: I haven't even thought about by CFY to CCC paperwork but I guess it is time to start doing that..If I figure anything out I will let yall know.

Friday, March 7, 2008

On Our Way to Certification

I cannot tell you how fast time has flown. Things are definitely moving at a quicker rate than when we were in school. We are on our way to getting those wonderful C's at the end of our names! So, does anyone know the exact process we have to go through? I've read the ASHA website about it but I just feel like I'm missing something. Of course I'm probably the last person to start thinking about it and I'm probably starting a little too late!! Oh well! So, if anyone doesn't mind sharing with me the process that would be wonderful! Here's what I think we're supposed to do:
1. Turn in Grad transcripts, KASA stuff, CFY/mentor stuff (report and rating form)
2. Sign up for ASHA membership, if you haven't done it already... if you haven't do you sign up under recent graduate?
3. Is there something to do with the state you are practicing in or did we do that before our CFY?!! I can't remember!!!! SAD!

Now, I've heard from a friend here that the process is painful and long. But from what this looks like it doesn't seem bad at all!!! I'm guess they'll send us more paper work when we apply and send in our CFY things! Anyway, hope that someone can help and that I'm not the only one out of the loop! Thanks and miss you guys!!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

It was good to see you guys at TSHA. I enjoyed talking about our different jobs and hearing how everyone is doing. Thanks for the encouragement in my job. Only about three months left of our CFY! Can you believe it has gone that fast!?

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

nothing to do with speech..


My brother and sister-in-law (Hab & Samantha Adkins, both work for ACU) had their baby girl!!!! Ainsley Elizabeth Adkins was born Monday morning, weighing in at 7 lbs, 8 oz, 21 inches long. This is my first niece and I'm SOO excited to buy pink stuff for this precious angel baby!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Craziness

I saw Chanan yesterday and she reminded me about this blog..so here I am again. I cannot wait until TSHA. It will be so exciting to see everyone again. It will be a nice break from all of the craziness at school. One of my campuses houses all of the pre-k and kindergarten classes in Waxahachie. At the beginning of the school year, my supervisor informed me that we had to screen every kid in that school. We finally got through it, sent home notices for those 40 something kids that needed further testing, tested the kids and then the greatness that was my life turned into the craziest, most stressful part of my life. I have done almost 30 ARDs between the end of November until now and I still have tons of kids to test and ARDs for those kids and ARDs for other kids that I tested. I have to say, I was very frustrated to find out that even though it was my supervisor's idea, I ended up doing 95% of the testing and ARDs by myself and they have all been added to my case load including a few that he tested. I did find out that it turned out to be okay and I love my kids, I was just frustrated at the time. I do have to add that he sees both PPCD classes and all of the private kids. Still, irritated would be my state of mind through this whole process, especially knowing that the head of special education hated the fact that we did this because it made our numbers going through the roof. I am relieved, however, that it is slowing down just a little bit but then I had to attend a workshop that basically said that I have to do this progress type form for all kids that entered the school district ages 3-5 and then have to do an exit form for those kids that turned 6. Luckily, not all of those kids are mine, but all of those 30 something kids I just added to my caseload do fit the criteria. The stress has returned. Needless to say, I still love my job, but I am so looking forward to TSHA just to get away from all of it. I hope everyone is doing great and I look forward to seeing you guys next month.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

I know it's been a long time since I've been on here, but I just wanted to let you know I am still so glad to have this blog. I love reading about everyones experiences even if it is not as much as I would like. I have really been missing you guys lately. The other speech pathologist at my school has a graduate student working with her right now. I talked to her today about her school and how much longer she has left. It was so weird to think about how I was in her place last year! I can't believe I've finished working a whole semester and what a crazy semester it was! This semester is off and running. I have several kids to test and do progress testing on. It seems like everyones ARDs are due in the next three months and I will be sitting in them all the time! Somwhere in all of that I have to see my kids! Craziness!

Those of us going to TSHA should get together.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Hope you all had a fabulous break because I sure did!
When we got back to school I asked my students what they did over the break. One of my first graders informed me that they took out her uncle's throat and put in a new one...