NYSSLHA Communicator Spring 2020

VOLUME 50, ISSUE 2 • 2020

Collaboration and Cultural Humility: A Campus Partnership to Develop
Knowledge of the Deaf Community
Classroom to Clinic Initiatives: Hands-On Experiential Learning in an
Environment Ripe for Mentorship

THE COMMUNICATOR VOLUME 50, ISSUE 2 • 2020

Official Journal of The New York State Table of Contents
Speech-Language-Hearing Association
3 Message from the President
(NYSSLHA) By Wendy Papir Bernstein
President, NYSSLHA
Editor-in-Chief
Deborah Insalaco, PhD, CCC-SLP 4 Message FROM THE EDITOR
By Deborah Insalaco
[email protected]
4 State Board Office for Speech-
Associate Editor Language Pathology and Audiology
Position Available By Jason Kramer
,
5 GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Assistant Editors By Shauneen McNally
Michael Bergen, AuD, CCC-A
[email protected] 6 Regional updates

CONTRIBUTORS 8 FEATURE
Wendy Papir Bernstein, Nicole Genser, Leslie Grubler, Collaboration and Cultural Humility:
Deborah Insalaco, Jason Kramer, Shauneen McNally, A Campus Partnership to Develop
Knowledge of the Deaf Community
Julie Stohr, Michelle A. Veyvoda By Nicole Genser, Julie Stohr,
Michelle A. Veyvoda, PhD, CCC-SLP
LAYOUT DESIGNER
Amy Caye 9 FEATURE
Classroom to Clinic Initiatives:
[email protected] Hands-On Experiential Learning in an
Environment Ripe for Mentorship
ADVERTISING By Leslie Grubler, MS, CCC-SLP
P: 800-NYSSLHA (800-697-7542)

F: 888-729-3489
E: [email protected]

The Communicator is published four times a year nysslha.org
by The New York State Speech-Language-Hearing
Association.
We welcome editorial submissions but cannot assume
responsibility or commitment for unsolicited material.
Any editorial material, including photographs that
are accepted from an unsolicited contributor, will
become the property of The New York State Speech-
Language-Hearing Association.

•••••••
The publisher and The Communicator shall not be
liable for any of the views expressed by the authors
published in The Communicator, nor shall these
opinions necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

2 THE COMMUNICATOR

Message from the President

Message From the President

How fortunate we Advocacy is one of the most important establishment of the Peace Corps, Job Corps
components of leadership wellness—without and Head Start – once said that built into
are to have chosen it, we would miss out on critical funding and each individual’s experience must be an
legislative support. Advocacy encompasses a occasion for giving, and an act of sharing and
to devote ourselves range of activities--such as lobbying, capacity sacrifice. And so, many of us are also involved
building and network formation--that are with volunteer service. We volunteer for
to the professions intended to influence decision-makers at unpaid responsibilities within our jobs; we
local and state levels. Much of what NYSSLHA donate our time to community endeavors;
of speech-language accomplishes in the area of advocacy is we get involved with neighborhood and
done alongside the superb lobbyist team of professional boards and associations.
pathology and Shauneen McNally and Kayla Bogdanowicz of
Reid, McNally & Savage. Together, we target How and where does the desire to be
audiology. Our sense the centers of influence, coalition groups involved with volunteer leadership begin?
and fundraising events. We partner with One of the most important goals of higher
of purpose, pride other professional communities of practice to education is to help students develop the
enhance the results of our advocacy efforts, integrity and strength of character that
and passion about and thus facilitate a stronger and more credible prepares them for leadership roles. In a 2016
voice with which to pursue policy change. We study by the National Association of Colleges
our work positively are successful with most of our efforts, because and Employers (NACE), when employers
together, we are NYSSLHA STRONG. were asked which attributes they look for on
impacts everyone a candidate’s resume, the largest group of
Through you and for you, our membership, respondents chose “leadership.” Over the last
with whom we we have the power of authority, the power of several decades, universities in this country
persuasion and the power of advocacy. When have begun to value the development of
Wendy Papir Bernstein interact. These same NYSSLHA speaks, others listen. In Albany on leadership capacity in college students by
February 25, this credo was brought to life encouraging service learning, sometimes
feelings infuse our on the first of several Lobby Days that take called community-based learning or civic
place during the year. Current and former engagement. These are the building blocks
heart and soul, and become the lifeblood NYSSLHA board members Michael Bergen, for volunteer leadership, and so it all begins
Jim Feuerstein, Sal Gruttadauria, Terri with our students. You will be reading more
of our association. People experience us Massimi and Zhanneta Shapiro accompanied about student leadership initiatives in this
Shauneen McNally and Kayla Bogdanowicz current issue of The Communicator.
as happy. We have learned that happiness, (from our lobbyist firm Reid, McNally &
Savage) to 10 different meetings with various In conclusion, while some people “work
whether personal or professional, is driven by legislators about a variety of pending bills to live,” and others “live to work,” we at
that will greatly impact our professions as NYSSLHA work to give. So, please shop at
the same types of needs and desires: we want well as the clients, students and patients we the NYSSLHA store and wear your pride.
serve. I know you will be hearing more about Go out and recruit new members. Express
to be useful, to make a difference, to connect these NYSSLHA victories on e-blasts, through your purpose, pride and passion by joining,
our ever-expanding website and in future learning, honoring and serving.
with something greater than ourselves, to issues of The Communicator.
Show the world–We love our professions.
have balance and community in our lives. Our Our association is not only about leadership. We are NYSSLHA HAPPY.
Sargent Shriver – driving force behind the We are NYSSLHA PROUD.
participation, membership and engagement

with NYSSLHA, all create the path.

We are the leaders in our field. Leadership
is all around us, however we are not just an
association of “leaders.” We are the leaders in
our professions whose transformative insights
are backed by extensive research and subject
matter expertise. Our insights result in
tangible outcomes, and continue to drive new
value for our association. We have learned
that the establishment of healthy leadership
cultures must involve leadership from every
direction. We are 360-degree leaders—we
lead up, we lead down and we lead across.
We lead with our administrators and bosses,
across all established hierarchies, with the
people we manage and with our peers. We
understand what Ted Turner meant when he
said, “lead, follow or get out of the way…”

Honors and Awards

Honors of the Association Award Distinguished Achievement Award Distinguished Clinical Service Program Award

Presented To: Kim L. Tillery, PhD Presented To: Helen Buhler, PhD Presented To: Lehman College Speech and
Hearing Center
For Outstanding Leadership For Outstanding Academic,
and Service to NYSSLHA and Research, and Clinical For Innovative Models of Service Delivery
Contributions to the Advancement of Contributions to the Discipline of to Support Student Success and Promote
Knowledge in the Professions of Speech- Communication Sciences and Disorders Quality Clinical Care to Individuals
Language Pathology and Audiology and to the and to the Professions of Speech-Language with Communication Challenges
People of New York State Pathology and Audiology

nysslha.org THE COMMUNICATOR 3

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Message from the Editor-in-Chief

Message From the Editor

It is spring and, and engaging in learning through always been true in our professions that
social action. Michelle Veyvoda of Iona when we give, we usually receive more
like spring, the College and her undergraduate students than we gave.
are developing ways to learn about
weather of life is Deaf culture through a new American We are coming into the celebration
Sign Language Club. Leslie Grubler’s season with our NYSSLHA honorees.
changeable from undergraduates learned to be “literacy While our festivities will be different from
fairies” and Parkinson Clinic Ambassadors years past, we still want to showcase
one minute to the through the Classroom to Clinic Initiatives their accomplishments. Please take
course at CUNY Lehman College Speech a look and send your congratulations
next. We in the and Hearing Center. We are all looking as best you can. While we are now
forward to returning to this wonderful practicing “social distancing,” the return
Deborah Insalaco speech-language normalcy. to social participation will come again.
(Bruce Fox.) pathology and
audiology fields are In the president’s letter, Wendy Papir Letters to the Editor
Bernstein, talked about the importance
some of the most flexible and most tech of volunteering which in turn develops The Communicator would love to hear from
the leadership potential in our students. you. Please send your comments, questions or
savvy professionals to serve our clients, Involvement in learning about a new skill letters to the editor to:
or a culture different from one’s own, Deborah Insalaco, [email protected]
patients and students. I am confident builds the confidence needed to take on or [email protected].
leadership positions while at the same
that we will manage this particular time keeping us humble by reminding
us of how little we knew before. It has
weather pattern with our usual grace and

style.

Those of us who have been in the
profession a while might have forgotten
what it was like to be a student and fresh
to our chosen fields. Despite the worries
of debt and the pressures of financial
and food insecurity, our students are still
learning through volunteering. This issue
highlights the values of volunteering

State Board Office for Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology

By Jason Kramer

Improving Customer Service Faster Answers – Every day, staff is Technology Modernization – Along with
responding directly to current and other professions, this State Board Office,
Improving “customer service” has been prospective licensees to guide them is undergoing a massive, multi-year,
the focus of the State Board Office through the bureaucracy, answer modernization process that will improve
for Speech-Language Pathology and questions and process forms. In 2019, our digital services. When complete
Audiology. As the one-year anniversary most questions were answered the same practitioners will have 24/7 access to
of my time as executive secretary day they were received – roughly 10 needed resources, with enhanced clarity
approaches, I am proud to report that times faster than in 2018. and usability.
we are succeeding thanks to the efforts
of Catheryne “Catie” Boel. With Kim Outreach – The Board Office is With the guidance of our board
Anderson recently joining Catie in the visiting graduate and undergraduate members, and under the leadership of
board office things will only continue to programs across the state, both in the Regents, the State Board Office is
improve. person and through video conference. working diligently to serve the more
We are working to inform soon-to-be than 20,000 licensed speech-language
Better Services – In partnership with the professionals about the statutes and pathologists and audiologists of New
tech gurus, our staff has implemented a regulations governing their jobs and York.
new call center to speed up requests for learn from faculty about emerging trends
licensing status updates, improved online and concerns.
applications and process electronic
payment of licensing fees.

4 THE COMMUNICATOR nysslha.org

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

Governmental Affairs Update

By Shauneen McNally
Reid, McNally & Savage

STATE BUDGET UPDATE Waivers for School District Duties, is ordered by an otolaryngologist within
Handicapped Children’s Program the practice.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo released
his 2020-21 proposed State Executive As in past years, the Governor’s budget In addition, new legislation was
Budget on January 15, 2019, totaling includes a proposal to allow a local school introduced in 2019 to provide for a pilot
$178.6 billion. The State faces a $6.1 district, approved private school or program in Westchester County for
billion budget deficit, a significant Board of Cooperative Education Services dispensing of hearing aids for a profit
amount of which is in the Medicaid (BOCES) to submit a waiver to the State (S5131 Harckham/A8163 Buchwald). In
program. Rather than providing specific Education Department (SED) for an 2019, the bill passed the Senate but was
Medicaid cuts in his budget proposal, exemption from any State requirements not advanced in the Assembly.
the Governor is convening the Medicaid in law or regulation that govern the
Redesign Team 2 (MRT 2) to identify duties and responsibilities of school NYSSLHA is opposed to all of the above
cost-containment measures totaling $2.5 districts and SED with respect to children bills.
billion. The MRT 2 is scheduled to provide with handicapping conditions.
its recommendations by the middle of Physicians are currently authorized to
March. The Governor’s proposed budget NYSSLHA is opposed to this proposal. dispense hearing aids to patients and
empowers him to impose across the It provides sweeping authority to SED to make a modest profit on the device.
board cuts if the Legislature rejects the to override existing laws, rules and In addition, physicians may charge their
MRT 2 recommendations. Below are regulations governing services to children regular fee for any medical examination
highlights of the Governor’s budget of with handicapping conditions. NYSSLHA of the patient plus patient cost-sharing
interest to NYSSLHA members. is very concerned that it could result in and recoup the cost of the device. This
the loss of services that support a child’s legislation would allow a physician
Early Intervention (EI) Pay and Pursue ability for academic success. If there are practice to make an uncontrolled
specific requirements that do not violate profit on the sale of a medical device,
Governor Cuomo proposes to increase the federal law that school districts wish presenting a potential conflict of interest.
the percentage of EI services covered by to eliminate, they should be discussed
commercial insurance companies. Currently on a case-by-case basis with the best NYSSLHA Board and Government Affairs
commercial insurance covers less than two interests of children in mind. Committee members as well as Reid,
percent of total EI costs, although 42 percent McNally & Savage are in the process of
of children (25,400) have commercial One Percent Across the Board Medicaid meeting with legislators on these bills.
insurance. Provisions of the bill would: Provider Cuts Please be on the look-out for Action
Alerts from the NYSSLHA Office!
• require health insurance companies to In December 2019, Governor Cuomo
pay a claim for EI services to a provider announced an administrative action to NYSSHLA LOBBY DAYS
that participates in the insurer’s impose one percent across the board
network where the insurer’s obligation reductions in Medicaid rates for all On February 25, NYSSLHA held a Lobby
to pay is reasonably clear, even where providers with the exception of providers Day in Albany, New York to address state
there is a disagreement about whether whose rates are protected by federal budget proposals on EI Pay and Pursue,
the service was medically necessary. law. This action was taken in response and Waivers for School District Duties
to a $4 billion Medicaid program deficit. in the Handicapped Children’s Program.
• allow insurers to initiate a non-expedited Reid, McNally & Savage drafted a letter Participants included NYSSLHA members
external appeal following payment of the to the Governor in opposition to the cuts Michael Bergen, James Feuerstein, Terri
claim to determine whether the service and worked to get 23 different provider Massimi and Zhanetta Shapiro.
was medically necessary. organizations, including NYSSLHA, to sign-
on to the letter. Following the release of On Tuesday, May 12, members of
• provide that if the external appeal the letter, we learned that the EI program, NYSSLHA’s Board and Government Affairs
agent determines that the EI services which is not federally protected from Committee will travel to Albany to attend
were not medically necessary, in whole Medicaid cuts, was exempted by Cuomo a full day of meetings to discuss non-
or in part, the insurer may recoup, Administration from the reduction. budget issues that crop up perennially
offset or otherwise require a refund or such as for-profit dispensing of hearing
any overpayment. Hearing Aid Dispensing by Physicians for aid by physicians and any new bills that
Profit (A89 Buchwald, S5131 Harckham/ emerge.
• provide that none of the Pay and Pursue A8163 Buchwald & S2565 Bailey)
provisions prohibit an insurer from NYSSLHA and Reid, McNally & Savage will
requiring prior-authorization for EI services. For the sixteenth year in a row, legislation continue to advocate on behalf of speech-
is pending that would allow a physician language-pathologists, audiologists and
This legislation is intended to maximize practice that employs an audiologist to the patients served by these professions.
private insurance coverage of EI services profit from the sale of a hearing aid that
for infants and toddlers.

nysslha.org THE COMMUNICATOR 5

Regional Updates

Regional Updates

Board of Regional Association Presidents • April – date TBD with Anne Rowley GVSLHA Regional Update by Janine
Meeting, March 2020 by Christine related to literacy. (2 hours) DiCarlo, MA, CCC-SLP - President
Morvay, MS, CCC-SLP – President
• May – poster session with six posters Membership: 52
While BRAP typically meets face-to-face, from St. Rose and a networking event
we exercised caution and held a virtual to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Recent CEU Offerings – None since our
meeting. Month. last meeting

We discussed the implications of the • June – TBD on AAC Upcoming CEU Offerings
corona virus pandemic on our individual General updates:
association’s events and also discussed • It is quite possible that I will be moving • Some upcoming events are on hold for
the how NYSSLHA is dealing with it with now pending the status of the current
the President, Wendy Papir Bernstein. this summer and will not be able to health crisis.
The NYSSLHA Board has been keeping continue with CASHA/BRAP. I will keep
a dialogue going to address the issues. you all updated. • The Supervision Study Group has
Besides discussing the current crisis, we • We are working on improving our been postponed. Start date yet to be
talked about the work NYSSLHA has been website and social media presence. determined.
doing to advocate on a number of issues • Membership is at a record low for this
facing speech-language pathologists and time of year. • Co-sponsoring Pediatric Dysphagia:
audiologists. Increased membership in Establishing the Brain-Mouth-Gut
NYSSLHA and in the regional associations CNYSLHA Update by Jill Lerch and Stacey Connection presented by Michelle
would benefit this effort. We will focus Sinclair, Co-Presidents Dawson on May 15.
on revisions from the BRAP Constitution Membership: 150 members, looking to
and By-Laws in June. have 266 General Updates – We have recruited two
Recent CEU Offerings: graduate student representatives for the
Christine Morvay thanked Wendy and the • January – sponsored Hearing Impaired Executive Board and we are creating a
past-president, Tracy Panzarella, for their graduate student sub-group of GVSLHA. They
willing cooperation and collaborational Conference with Onondaga Cortland will be representing GVSLHA by participating
spirit with BRAP. Our two organizations Madison Counties BOCES in community events such as the Stroll for
are building connections that will make • February – sponsored Apraxia Strong, the Alzheimer’s walk, etc.
both groups stronger. Conference with SUNY Cortland with
the Southern Tier Study group LISHA Update by Denise McKeon, MS,
CASHA Update by Carolyn Zimmer, MS, Upcoming CEU Offerings – March and CCC-SLP, President
CCC-SLP, President April events will be postponed.
General Updates – Study groups are Membership: 730
Membership: 216 now established in Watertown and
Binghamton Recent CEU Offerings
Recent CEU offerings:
• January 23, 2020 – Secrets to
• Elizabeth Wikane (Kingston) presented Successful Life Skills Speaker: Penny
on aphasia treatment January 27. Morris, MA, CCC-SLP
(2 hours)
• February 13, 2020 – Demystifying
• Dan Kayajian (St. Rose) presented on Stuttering From Both a Professional
VCD on February 27. (2 hours) and Personal Perspective Speaker: Lori
Melnitsky, MA, CCC-SLP
Upcoming CEU offerings:
• March 19, 2020 – NYSED Regulations:
• We had a full-day conference planned IEP Development and CSEs Speaker:
for March 23, but are looking into Jacob Feldman, Esq.
postponing due to the coronavirus
spread. This will be with Jackie Klein Upcoming CEU Offerings – Two future
(St. Rose) on cleft lip/palate and VPI. conferences have been postponed.

continued on page 7

6 THE COMMUNICATOR nysslha.org

Regional Updates

Regional Updates (continued)

SHAHV Update by Mary Anne Dempsey, SHAWNY Update by Deborah Insalaco, WSHLA Update by Lauren Albert, MS,
MS, CCC-SLP/TSSLD, President President CCC-SLP, Secretary

Membership: 124 Membership is inching upward to about Membership as of November 2019 was
50. 94.
Upcoming CEU Offering – Our April
conference has been canceled. Recent educational events – The Schools Recent CEU Offerings
Group met:
General Updates October 20, 2019 – Social Media and
• December 5 – Building Blocks for Blogging Strategies to Enhance Clinical
This new year has brought many changes Including and Teaching Young Children Practice presented by Rebecca Eisenberg,
to the SHAHV Executive Board. While we With Disabilities. It was a prerecorded MS, CCC-SLP.
were sad to say goodbye to three beloved webinar.
long-term SHAHV board members, we December 3, 2019 – A Legal Perspective
were excited to welcome three new • January 2 – The Logistics of RAZ Kids on the Clinician’s Role in the CPSE/CSE
members who brought a new energy to as it Relates to Speech and Language Process, networking event for related
our group with fresh ideas! Therapy services providers (SLPs, OTs, PTs, Psych/
social workers). This event was open to
In that regard, we’re running a Better • February 6 – Smile Pinki: A Real World both WSHLA and non-WSHLA members.
Hearing and Speech Month special. During Fairy Tale [Documentary of a girl who Speakers: Kathryn Martin (attorney),
the month of May, every existing member suffered for six years waiting for a Alison Morris (attorney), Nanette Saturn
who refers a friend to join SHAHV will 45-minute surgery (cleft palate) that (special education advocate)
receive one of our tote bags. The new would change her life].
member will receive a tote bag as well! February 2, 2020 – Demystifying Stuttering
We’re also looking forward to reviewing • March 5 – Support Social Development From Both a Professional and Personal
applications for two scholarships (one in the Early Childhood Inclusion Perspective. Speaker: Lori Melnitsky, MA,
undergraduate and one graduate) that Classroom With Music. It was a webinar. CCC-SLP. (0.3 CEUS)
will be awarded to deserving students
pursuing degrees in communication Upcoming CEU Offerings – Between
disorders or audiology at our June corona virus and presenter illness,
awards dinner. This new decade has us western New York has canceled or
feeling energized as we’re busy planning postponed three conferences; one was
conferences and events for the upcoming a co-sponsorship with SHAWNY. We
year! are working on a Pearson Q-Interactive
webinar.

General Updates – We now have a
recording secretary on our board, but two
positions remain vacant, vice-president
for speech-language pathology and
correspondence secretary. We hope
to have our May honors banquet, but
everything is on hold.

7 THE COMMUNICATOR nysslha.org

FFEEAATTUURREE

Collaboration and Cultural Humility:
A Campus Partnership to Develop
Knowledge of the Deaf Community

By Nicole Genser; Julie Stohr; Michelle A. Veyvoda, PhD, CCC-SLP, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY

At Iona College, in New Rochelle, New ASL Club and the NSSLHA chapter at threats to their identities as the center
York, there is a flourishing interest Iona College provided students with of their Deaf culture – their school –
among students towards American a unique opportunity to explore their became imperiled. In addition to this
Sign Language (ASL) and learning cultural humility as it relates to the DHH central plot, the episode also exposed
about the Deaf community. This community. viewers to differences in opinion, beliefs
interest is particularly strong among and lifestyles of those characters who
the undergraduate speech-language Cultural humility is described as identify as “hard of hearing,” versus
pathology and audiology students. a lifelong process through which those who identify as “culturally Deaf.”
Many of these students are active health care practitioners commit to Following the episode, there was an
members of the Iona College American continuously expand their knowledge of interactive discussion surrounding these
Sign Language (ASL) Club, as well as the other cultures, engage in self-evaluation concepts: deafness (audiological status)
Iona College chapter of the National and critique, and to addressing the versus Deafness (cultural identity),
Student Speech Language Hearing power imbalances typically experienced attainment of gainful employment for
Association (NSSLHA). in health care relationships by DHH individuals, mainstream schools,
approaching the clinical relationship the significance of schools for the Deaf,
A relatively new student organization as an equal partnership (Tervalon & the value of Deaf education and the
on campus, the ASL Club’s mission Murray-Garcia, 1998). While students importance of self-advocacy.
is to create an environment that at Iona College have been intrigued
facilitates student acquisition of ASL by the beauty of ASL, we recognized Initial reactions of attendees
through instruction and practice, while that a journey toward cultural humility immediately following the episode were
promoting awareness of Deaf culture. would require a deeper exploration of profound. Most students expressed that
Students learn about the various the many educational and social justice they were unaware of the heterogeneity
issues that impact the Deaf and Hard issues that impact the DHH community. of the DHH community itself, and that
of Hearing (DHH) population, gain With this in mind, on November 12, members of this community can hold
confidence in their signing skills and 2019, the ASL Club and NSSLHA chapter discretely different opinions and views.
experience the joy that comes from co-hosted an event called The Deaf Students also expressed their shock at
connecting with others through a Perspective. The event was designed the impact of deafness on one’s ability
visual-spatial language. By increasing with the purpose of exposing attendees to access educational, occupational and
their knowledge, awareness and to some aspects of Deafness beyond social opportunities. These reactions
appreciation for the Deaf community what they already knew – which at facilitated a productive group reflection
as a cultural and linguistic minority, that point was generally limited to on attendees’ feelings towards what
these speech-language pathology and the physical characteristic of deafness they had viewed and how it resonated
audiology students are also developing (audiological status) and the use of ASL with them as pre-professionals. The
their cultural humility – an essential among the Deaf community. event moderators connected these
skill for future health care providers reactions to the concepts addressed in
who plan to work with DHH individuals. This event included a viewing of the the episode.
One recent event co-sponsored by the all-ASL episode of Switched at Birth
(Season 2, episode 9), followed by a Many questions asked by attendees
moderated discussion. In this episode of were about Deaf education as related
Switched at Birth (a family drama with to program type, availability and
a teenage Deaf character who attends quality of education provided to those
an educational program for the Deaf), students. While there were no deaf
the plot centered on the uncertainties education experts at this event, these
and fears felt by the students as they questions allowed the students to learn
learned of the possible closure of their about different educational options
school for the Deaf. Throughout the available to DHH children and to expand
episode, these students dealt with their awareness of the strengths

continued on page10

8 THE COMMUNICATOR nysslha.org

Classroom to Clinic Initiatives: Hands-On
Experiential Learning in an Environment

Ripe for Mentorship

By: Leslie Grubler, MS, CCC-SLP, Lehman College

Undergraduate • they are first-time college goers foster their own self-confidence, to
students typically with little navigational support and enable their retention, and to grow
seek to acquire direction at home in the direction of their dreams. As
related and a result, we created an innovative
meaningful • their elementary and high school Classroom to Clinic Initiatives program
experience as experiences did not provide college- to bring our undergraduate students
they plan for readiness skills into the fold, to support their efforts,
the competitive to further develop their skillsets, to
graduate application process in • they are English language learners provide an opportunity to actively
speech-language pathology. The • their family income is at or below the connect their learning to the profession
experiences they hope to secure often across the lifespan in a way that would
include shadowing a speech-language poverty level attract, motivate, and inspire.
pathologist (SLP), engaging in research,
presenting at conferences with faculty, But these students are not permitting These Classroom to Clinic Initiatives
volunteering at a hospital and more. But their life struggles from interrupting include 22 volunteer roles:
if you told any one of these students their dreams. These are students whose
that someday they may actually be skillsets, personal qualities and life • IEP Supporters
vying for a role as a Literacy Fairy, or a experiences reflect grit, fearlessness,
Boardmaker Assistant, or a High School resilience, maturity, seasoning and • Literacy Fairies
Ambassador, or a Cultural Informer – a strong work ethic. They possess
they would likely say, “What? What’s family-centric values, empathy and • Literacy Workmate
that? Who? Me?” understanding, manifest the essence
of responsibility and an “I know YOU • Play Partners in our Early Childhood/
Last year, our Classroom to Clinic can do this” infectious confidence – Pre-School Clinics
Initiatives program in the Lehman the very skills sought in candidates
College Speech and Hearing Center for graduate school in communication • Practice Partners in our Language and
attracted 86 undergraduate students science disorders and by caregivers Literacy/Across the Lifespan Clinics
across 22 innovative experiential and clients whose life struggles are
roles and earned a Lehman College deficits in communication, feeding and • Team Partners in our Adult
Presidential Proclamation for its swallowing. Neurogenic Clinic
success! Lehman College CUNY, known The Lehman College Speech and
nationally as the number one Hispanic- Hearing Center, recognized its • Accent Management Team Partners
serving institution with 56 percent responsibility to provide a forum,
of our student body first-generation a safe place for its undergraduate • Writing Tutors
college goers, is home to 130 cultures, speech-language pathology students to
where the household income of 50 demonstrate the values and skills noted, • Clinic Assistants
percent of its students is below $30 to express themselves, to get noticed,
thousand. As a result, our students to become visible, to be mentored, to • Student Translators
could be precluded from typical
learning opportunities for any number • Parkinson Clinic Ambassadors 9
of reasons:
• High School Ambassadors
• their daily schedules reflect
the prioritization of family and • Workshop Supporter in Workshops
employment for Parents, Loved Ones, and Aides
in the Early Childhood/Preschool and
• they are caring for small children as Aphasia Clinics
parent or grandparent
• Cultural Informer
• their culture honors family over
education • Attendants of our Diagnostic Resource
Room, Literacy and Technology Room,
nysslha.org Materials Resource Rooms and Visual
Instruction Room

• Saturday Clinic Assistant

• Boardmaker Assistant

continued on page 10

THE COMMUNICATOR

Collaboration and Cultural Humility

(continued from page 8)

and limitations of different educational hadn’t looked into it too deeply. Being in workshop in recognition of Deaf History
approaches. This discussion enabled an environment where Deaf issues were Month in which attendees will create their
students to consider what role they might the focus of the event forced me to look at own “ABC Stories” as a means for learning
one day play in the lives of children who are Daphne’s and the other Carlton students’ about Deaf culture. By continuing to co-
DHH as future speech-language pathologists lives differently. I found the talk-back after sponsor, the ASL Club and NSSLHA chapter
or audiologists. One member of the NSSLHA the show was especially interesting, seeing intend to open people’s eyes towards the
executive board stated, “While most of our as the majority of the audience members ways in which future SLPs and audiologists
members are planning on being speech- aren’t well-versed in the culture and the can be effective partners and advocates for
language pathologists, we are still likely to issues of the Deaf community.” the DHH community.
interact with those who have hearing loss...
In my personal career, I am very interested Both the ASL Club and NSSLHA chapter Reference:
in working with the Deaf population. intend to continue collaborating on the other
Having an understanding, even a most basic events in the future to continue to foster Tervalon, M. & Murray-Garcia, J. (1998).
understanding of a community’s lifestyle and this journey of cultural humility among Cultural humility versus cultural
struggles, I believe is incredibly important.” our memberships. Two events are already competence: A critical distinction in
Another student, an SLP major who planned for the spring semester. One is an defining physician training outcomes
hopes to work with the DHH population, event to recognize World Hearing Day, which in multicultural education. Journal of
said “ Switched at Birth was a show I had will raise campus awareness towards hearing Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved,
watched in high school but, at the time, I loss and its impacts. The other is a signing 9(2), 117-125.

Classroom to Clinic Initiatives

(continued from page 9)

• NSSLHA Member d. a forum to yield answers to student back because I know there is so much more
questions like e.g. “do I have the right stuff to learn”; “At the end of the session, it was
• SHC Bulletin Board and Table Display for graduate school?” wonderful to participate in the debrief and
Designer/Contributor share my thoughts and receive feedback
e. the tangible reality part of the dream from the student clinicians and clinical
• Research Assistant of working within the field of speech- educators so I could keep developing
language pathology myself”; “The experience supporting clients
• Diagnostic Supporter in our Aphasia Conversational group has
f. hope and light and support in relationship made me excited to continue my journey as
• Speech and Hearing Center Librarians where heretofore there may not have been a graduate student in the field of speech-
for our collection of classic children’s, language pathology”; “By volunteering in
adolescent, and adult literature In their own words, the student volunteers a variety of roles I learned the importance
report, “Being part of the Classroom to of the patience and enthusiasm that an SLP
Our students report that the Classroom to Clinic Initiatives has given me the insight and must have to manage the difficult situations
Clinic Initiatives program has provided them knowledge to understand the information I and challenges that present themselves in
with the following: have studied throughout my undergrad years our profession;” “The sense of community
at Lehman”; “I have cultivated relationships that was developed over just a few months
a. applications of theory learned in the with my team members and professors. is truly something special, and I am very
classroom in a positive environment that Being part of this team has taught me the grateful to have been a part of it.”
makes their academic learning relevant meaning and importance of working in the
community”; “This experience has enabled Over the last four semesters, our students
b. a proximity to reality experience that has and facilitated confidence, emotional returned to the Speech and Hearing Center
enabled relationship-building with faculty, development and leaderships skills required to engage in volunteer roles in a safe space,
staff and students, mentorship opportunities in caring of, not only the clients I’ve had the in an environment ripe for mentorship,
that allowed student clinicians and faculty opportunity to support, but also everyone teamwork, and ethical practice -- an
to get to know the character, capacities and else in my direct environment”; “As a environment that promotes retention,
work ethic of our volunteers. literacy fairy, when I read to children, I felt supports the completion of their BA degree
their excitement, enthusiasm to learn and and positions them for their advancement to
c. opportunities for relationship building, I also saw their parent’s excitement and graduate school.
personalized attention that validated the enthusiasm”; “Over the last year, I have
student’s clinical observations and input volunteered in six roles and I keep coming
and facilitated consults on the student’s
graduate school application

10 THE COMMUNICATOR nysslha.org