Ep. 52 - Why I Became a Speech Pathologist to Close the Academic Achievement Gap

Show Notes

In this episode I share my journey and reasons for joining the field of speech pathology. We also explore the role of speech-language pathologists in advocating for children of color in the United States education system.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode:

• I initially pursued a degree in broadcast journalism but shifted my focus to organizational communications with a minor in speech pathology.

• Through various initiatives, I became aware of the disparities experienced by Black and Latinx children in the United States education system, including exclusionary discipline practices that lead to the school-to-prison pipeline.

• This realization led me to discover the role of speech-language pathologists in advocating for these children and supporting their academic and behavioral success.

• My passion for communication and advocacy came together, and I knew that becoming a speech-language pathologist was the path I needed to take.

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Check out these resources mentioned in this episode:

13th (Netflix Documentary Directed by Ava DuVernay)

African American English: A Linguistic Introduction (Green, 2002)

Dear Colleague Letter on the Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline (US Department of Education, 2021)

Expanding Our Views on Behavior and Black Students: a Call to Action (Evans & Perry, 2021)

More Than a Metaphor: The Contribution of Exclusionary Discipline to a School-to-Prison Pipeline (Skiba et al., 2014)

Racially Disproportionate Discipline in Early Childhood Educational Settings (National Prevention Science Coalition, 2020)

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What is The Pediatric Speech Sister Show Podcast: Building Culturally Responsive Practice with Melanie Y. Evans, MS CCC-SLP?

The Pediatric Speech Sister Show Podcast empowers speech-language pathologists and educators to build the foundation for culturally responsive practice. Join host, Melanie, a certified speech-language pathologist, certified mindset and abundance coach, and certified soul purpose coach, as she explores critical conversations around human rights, social justice, ethics, critical race theory, intercultural communication, and the nuances of linguistic diversity.

This show is your one-stop shop for expanding your cultural responsiveness. Expect a mix of solo deep dives and replays of live interviews with amazing guests. Want to see the full interviews? Head over to The Pediatric Speech Sister Network on Youtube!

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this show is for you. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all children.