Okay. So it’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been horribly negligent, and for that I am truly sorry. However, I can say in all honesty I will do my level best not to let it happen again (and I have a really good reason).
For those of you who don’t know, I started a new adventure recently. I have left my very secure Utopian position as a school-based SLP in my little town and moved to a much larger town and a very different position. I had a great deal of angst and regret while making the decision to do so. I am very well aware that the position was unique and an incredible job and I was very blessed to have the opportunity to work there. But, truth be told, it was also a tad bit …pedantic. I wasn’t really challenged and while I tried to challenge myself (hence the blog) I found myself becoming slowly but surely complacent.
For the last few years, I had been approached by a university (my alma mater) to come and work for them. I’m pleased to announce that this spring I accepted the position. I am now an assistant professor in communication disorders at Minot State University (as of August). Don’t worry, I’m still keeping current in therapy (I have clinical supervision after all) and in research (I’m teaching after all…really cool things like neurology right now. We’ll see what else later). I miss doing actual therapy, but I am excited at the opportunity to help these new clinicians do therapy well – with EBP – and a knowledge of the difference between science and pseudoscience.
There will be some changes here as well. Don’t worry, I’ll still be focusing on advocacy and SLP Issues.But I sincerely hope to increase the number of research articles and book reviews. My intention is to continue advocating for our field as a whole – in caseload issues, EBP/Pseudoscience, and in various ways to help our clients. I hope to increase the networking available to SLPs and to reinforce how important that networking is to the field and to ourselves.
And…it all starts here. I hope you’ll stay tuned for these new adventures of mine. Like all adventures, it may be a bit rocky at first, but we will get into a rhythm and new and exciting things are bound to be discovered. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what issues you are experiencing. What concerns do YOU have about our profession? Drop me a line here…
Until then…Adventure on!
Mary
Speech Adventures 
Such lucky, lucky SLPs to be! Enjoy your new endeavor. I can’t wait to hear/read where this takes you (and us as a result)! Kim
Thanks. It’ll be interesting at the very least. I’m excited to see where these new adventures lead.
Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. The students are very lucky to have someone who is “fresh from the field” to learn from!
Thank you
Congratulations on your new position, Mary! From our online interactions, I know that your students are so very fortunate to benefit from your incredible knowledge and expertise! Best wishes to you in this new chapter of your life!
Thank you for your kind words. I’m definitely learning as much as I’m helping them learn. I miss doing therapy myself, but I love seeing them grow as clinicians. I’m looking forward to having more of an impact on the field.
I second these responses – how exciting to be able to stretch yourself beyond your “complacent” world!
Thank you. It’s definitely out of my comfort zone but I’m enjoying myself and hopefully sharing a bit of the passion.
I applaud you for jumping out of your comfort zone and starting your adventure. It is so easy to stay where it is comfortable. I hope you have an amazing year!
Thank you