If you’ve been following me on Facebook or Instagram, then I can guess your feed has been bombarded with pictures of ASHA Schools 2015, the Grand Canyon and anything else “Phoenix” related. Sorry ’bout that 🙂
I was beyond blessed to share this journey with a group of 5 fantastic bloggers. We were able to get out from “behind the computer” and meet many of you face-to-face. I was simply overwhelmed (yes, there were a few tears) by the amount of encouragement, excitement and all-out love fellow SLPs showed us at the conference. And guess what? There was still a significant percentage of SLPs working in the schools that have never heard of any SLP blogs or Teachers Pay Teachers. I know, right?! We were able to spread the love right there at the conference.
I gave out hundreds of /r/ decks and that made me happy.
And can I just stop and say what an amazing support group these ladies have been. What you see of them on social media is what you get. They are the most fun-loving, people-loving, Christ-centered SLPs I know and I’m so happy to call them my friends.
They’re even there to give this speechie a hand when she falls in a hole (or Canyon).
I felt very loved this weekend. And not just from those who attended ASHA Schools but also from those who couldn’t. To you who are sitting at home in front of your computer reading this, I’m so very thankful for you. The love and support I have felt from my fellow SLPs for this little blog is simply overwhelming.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Lean in here. Closer. Closer. Perfect.
I’m not a better SLP than any of you.
Nope. Not any more creative, not any more outgoing (as you can see from this post), and not any better. It can be easy to get down on ourselves and think we’re “not as good” when we start comparing. Your students need YOU this coming fall to be ready for them. Not me, and not the SLP down the hall. So let’s stop comparing ourselves to others this summer (I’m talking to myself here too) and just do what we love: helping our students. That’s what it’s all about anyways.
Oh, and here’s a little gift for my SLPs on the other side of the screen. A free copy of my /r/ decks. Just follow this link and type in the password: ashaschools
Come as you are. Leave encouraged.
I'd love for you to join my newsletter family so that I can start sending weekly encouragement as well as access to an entire library of free resources like this Student Self-Progress Report Sheet!
Michelle says
July 13, 2015 at 7:52 pmThank you so much for the deck of cards! 🙂 I cant wait to use them next school year!
Lauren says
July 13, 2015 at 7:53 pmLove this and you Nicole! Thanks for being the amazing SLP and friend that you are!
Wanda says
July 13, 2015 at 7:56 pmThanks!
Julie says
July 13, 2015 at 8:24 pmWhat an incredible experience ASHA Schools must have been this year! Thank you so much for the present for those of us who could not attend!!
Jen K says
July 13, 2015 at 10:49 pmTHANKS!!!
Mallory says
July 14, 2015 at 4:06 amThank you, Nicole! 🙂
Breana says
July 14, 2015 at 5:23 amCan’t wait to meet the bloggers at ASHA!! Is there going to be a blogger booth? Any way to get in on it?
Breana
Speechercize and Gluten Free
Nicole Allison says
July 20, 2015 at 11:28 pmI would love to meet you at ASHA! I know I’m doing a booth that is currently full but it would be fun to see other blogger tables there as well!
Susan carney says
July 14, 2015 at 12:32 pmLove your blog and materials. Thanks!!!
Faith S. says
July 14, 2015 at 1:55 pmNicole-
What an incredible post….I am amazed at how much thought you put into both your blogs and your products and I think that is what is intimidating for many SLPs. But, you are right, we all have our special talents and ultimately, we are the ones there for our students. YOU help to remind us all of that and YOU help us to become better therapists along the way. Your humility is inspiring. Thank you for being such a positive role model to so many of us.
Faith
Nicole Allison says
July 20, 2015 at 11:27 pmOh thank you so much for your kind sweet words! This gave me a lot of encouragement today, just when I needed it!
Annie Doyle says
July 14, 2015 at 2:06 pmAmen, Sister! So happy to have met you in person. The hug just magnified what I know to be true; you are a blessing to me!
Meredith B says
July 17, 2015 at 8:38 pmThanks so much!
francine says
July 30, 2015 at 12:33 amThank you so much!