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1Sep

4 Pieces of Advice for first time School SLPs and Teachers

Posted by: Jessi Andricks Categories: Uncategorized
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first time school slps and teachers

Being a school SLP did not go well for me my first time through, or my second. Or kind of my third. 

I was super uncomfortable and disconnected my first few times working in a school. I didn’t feel part of a community, like I had in my previous jobs in a SNF and hospital, and I felt a little lost. It was like there was SO much to know, about policies, procedures, meetings, IEPs, protocols, and therapy, and I felt like I really didn’t know much at all. 

I had gone through a school placement, had even been offered the job when my supervisor moved at the end of the year, but I still felt so unsure of what I was doing.

It was definitely one of the things that led to me feeling like I had chosen the wrong career, and ultimately, leaving the field for a few years. 

I eventually came back and worked in teletherapy for a few years, which was new to everyone involved, so it helped to lessen the idea of not knowing equaling not being good enough, and gave me the confidence to ask questions and learn as I went. 

This last school year, I found myself back in a brick and mortar site, in person, and, again, had NO idea what I was doing, really. 

But, instead of allowing it to make me feel disconnected, I used it to build connection, foster growth, and learn a few things along the way. 

Here are a few things you can do in your first year – either as a new SLP or teacher, or just new to the setting.

4 Pieces of Advice for First time School SLPs and Teachers

It’s ok to ask questions: Asking questions does not mean you should not be doing the job that you have or that you aren’t good enough to be there. You earned the degree with a LOT of hard work, you passed the tests, and you are the person qualified to be there. You don’t have to know it all. It is so different from what you had to do in grad school – know it all. It is ok to not know it, but to know where you can learn it. (This was my main takeaway from grad school, honestly). It is tok to say “I don’t know the answer to that, but I can find out and get back to you” or “I’m not sure what this is or how to do it, can you show me or do you know where I can find more info?” or even “That is not my specialty, but I can connect you with someone who works on this”. It’s part of growing and doesn’t make you weaker but stronger and more a part of the community. If your leaders are not supportive of that, then maybe it is not you who is the imposter/problem, and maybe they are scared a little too. 

Your students don’t know your plan: Just because a sessions doesn’t go the way you planned it to, or a student isn’t progressing the way your textbooks say they will, it is ok. Or if you don’t have a plan and you grab some materials on the fly to make the session happen. If it ends up going differently, they will be none the wiser. This was a big lesson I learned in my yoga teacher training, that has helped me tremendously as an SLP. I am the only one who knows what I have planned for the session, or how I want it to go. No one else. In yoga, if I forget a pose, mess up the breath count, or skip a song, no worries, no one else knows. If you skip part of a session, grab the wrong game, or use different success, no worries, your students will get a lot out of it, and you will get done what needs to happen. Even if it wasn’t exactly the plan. 

Keep it simple: There is so much out there for you to learn, so many styles and therapy “shoulds” and “should nots”, and so many fun things you can bring to your class. And it can quickly get overwhelming or feel like FOMO. It is ok to keep it simple, and keep it more enjoyable and your style. And it is even ok to not really plan it all out precisely (see the above point). You don’t have to go over the top with planning sessions or lessons. Most of the time, elaborate plans or things set out way in advance don’t do much to help your students and can add to your stress. And many times, the plan doesn’t go exactly as planned. Keep it simple and keep it human – allow for space for you and your students to shift and change as needed

Be yourself: You do not have to do things the way your professors or supervisors did. You do not need to do things the way the internet says you do. There is more than one way to be a therapist or teacher and to help your students learn and grow and thrive. Bring yourself to the sessions and it will foster deeper connections, trust, and growth. Your authenticity will shine through and make it a better experience for all. It can take time to find your footing or style, but allow it to come through, with your personality, and your “vibe”, and you’ll all be the better for it. 

So, first time school SLPS and teachers, what is something you plan to use? Or maybe you are in your 10th year or are shifting around settings – I’d love to know! Share in the comments below or send me a DM on IG jessiandricks. 

Want to bring some mindfulness to your classroom? If you are looking for some fun and out of the box ways to connect, that can help you to feel truly authentic and supportive of your students, make sure to sign up for the waitlist for my newest course “Mindfulness in Your (Speech) Room”. It is a course for SLPs and educators that will share who you can bring mindfulness and yoga into your classroom, as little or as much as you’d like, and how it can change everything – for the better. You can sign up for the waitlist here (and snag an exclusive discount when doors open later in September). 

With Love and Light, 

Jessi

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22Mar

5 Ways to Create More Freedom in Your Day as an SLP

Posted by: Jessi Andricks Categories: Journal Techniques for SLPs Stress Management
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When you are working as an SLP, whether at home or in your facility, it can be easy to feel that you are on someone else’s schedule, routine and daily needs. This can make it feel as if you have no control or freedom in your day, which can lead to an increase in stress and overwhelm, and that can lead to chronic stress and burnout. 

In my first few years, I often felt this. There was no room in my day to stop and breathe or not be productive constantly. Even if they were acceptable, taking a break was still seen (even if only from myself, due to what I learned in school and other experiences) as not acceptable. There was always something I could be doing And if I could do, it, then I should do it (hello, Perfectionism, something so many SLPs are faced with each day). And when I took my breaks – to eat lunch, read a blog or two, or just not do anything – I often kept it a secret and tried to hide. And that led to feeling guilty and a bit shameful, like I was doing something wrong by trying to mentally feel better. 

And when I came back after a 5 year break , I felt like I finally found my groove and enjoyed my work. So if I was asked to do more, I gladly accepted. “Bring it on! I’d love to help.” became my go-to. I added on more hours, had less time in my schedule to get up and move around between sessions, or at least not sit at my desk for hours in sessions, and started to feel that sense of stress and burnout creep back in. I was mentally and physically exhausted, again, and knew it was that sense of freedom that was missing and starting to wear on me. 

Can you relate?

As my best friend put it once “Of course you are stressed. You hate feeling like you are trapped”. Sometimes it takes someone else to help us see things more clearly. 

When you feel like you are trapped to a strict schedule, with absolutely no wiggle room or room for life circumstances, it can make you feel like you have no freedom or control to your work, and that things will always be this way. As this continues, it becomes more and more difficult to find ways to break away form work when you need to, and you often end up doing even more, in order to find a moment to breathe, and working endlessly, or mentally focusing on work, all there is left to do, and how to not be so stressed out from it, long after your work day has ended. 

If you are feeling like you are stuck in your schedule, or perhaps even trapped, you are not alone and there are some things you can do to create more freedom in your day. 

create more freedom in your day as an SLP

Here are 5 things you can do to make some changes and create more freedom in your day as an SLP:

  • Plan for space: It is really easy to forget to have some wiggle room in your schedule, even just 5 minutes here and there. I’ve done it (so I could have a bigger lunch break, but then felt so drained by the time lunch hit), and you probably have to. Tiny moments in your schedule are much needed. They give you space if you are simply running late or need to check on something or someone, but they also give you a moment to yourself to regroup and check in. Look at your schedule and give yourself at least 5 minutes here and there in your day, so you can get up and move, eat, pee, breathe, stretch, etc. It will make all the difference. 
  • Take actual breaks too: Breaks are not supposed to be negotiable. These are necessary and you deserve them. Plus, breaks will help you work better, be more efficient, and enjoy your work so much more. Taking a break of 10 minutes or longer (like for lunch) gives your brain the time to recharge and refresh, and it gives your body a chance to move differently. This helps to eliminate and ease up both mental and physical tension, which makes it easier for you to focus, make  less mistakes, process faster, and be more present to what you are doing. Plan for mental and physical breaks in your day for 10 minutes (more for a meal), aiming for a break every 90 minutes, so it is easy to schedule and remember. 
  • Create a routine or end of day ritual: This is so crucial, especially when you work from home. You are going to need something to help you mentally transition out of work mode and into “rest of life” mode. If you are used to a long commute, that might be your time. If you aren’t getting that anymore, you might notice that you are feeling like your work brain follows you into your home and you continue to think about work and issues that have come up or are planning for tomorrow. Have a routine or ritual that mimics your commute – go for a walk, stretch, sweep your office (if you like this kind of thing), listen to a podcast, read a blog post, etc. Take a moment for yourself, to do something each day at the end of the work day, to help signal to your brain that work is over. 
  • Spend time in your mornings and/or evenings that isn’t dedicated to the logistics/planning for the day ahead or next day. This is really difficult to do, but can set you up for a more relaxed, mindful, present day. If you tend to wake up and rush to get ready and make it to work on time, give yourself a few more minutes to lessen the rush, but also to have some downtime before you head in. This way, your day can start with some ease instead of instant panic and rush/stress. Same for the evening. If you tend to plan, prep and pack for the day ahead and then head to bed or check out for a bit, take 5 extra minutes (or more) to do something for you. Give yourself some space that isn’t about work or planning for work or thinking about work or purposely ignoring work. Take a few moments for yourself to start and end your day, so you start and end with more space and freedom. 
  • Leave work at work (or in your work space): It’s hard, but it’s necessary. If there is so much that you are constantly working late or bringing your computer from your office to the couch, it is time to reach out for support. Salary does not mean working all the time. Hourly does not mean working off the clock (I know some places only pay for direct time, and expect you to work out your hours around that. This is really hard as well. For this, you might have a set amount of hours you work, some billable, some non. Don’t work later than necessary on the non-billable hours). You can’t find freedom in your day if you are always working (mentally as well as actually doing work). 

Do you relate to or struggle with any of these? Share your triumphs or challenges in the comments. 

Want to journal through this on your own? Download the “Create More Freedom in Your Day” worksheet/journal, available in the SLP Toolbox, a resource library full of tools to help SLPs reduce and manage stress.

You can sign up for access, it’s FREE, below. (No spam ever. I promise!). 

Much Love, 

Jessi

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