| Ann is a bilingual Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking speech-language pathologist. She has worked for 25 years with the St. Paul Public Schools Early Childhood Assessment Team, conducting evaluations to determine eligibility for special education with children speaking a variety of languages. She is co-founder and past chair of the MSHA Multicultural Affairs Committee and, as part of that committee, organizes the monthly Spanish/English bilingual SLP Conversation Group. She is co-author of the Talk With Me manual and has given various presentations throughout thee state of Minnesota on evaluation and intervention issues with culturally and linguistically diverse preschool children. She has also traveled to Guatemala six times with a cleft palate medical mission team. |
Marilyn Fairchild, MA-TESL, M.A.
Associate Clinical Specialist :: University of Minnesota Minneapolis |
| Marilyn works in clinical education at the University of Minnesota. In addition to being a speech-language pathologist, she has an MA in teaching English as a second language and has a strong interest in communication issues in linguistically and culturally diverse populations. She was co-author of the 2002 Talk With Me manual, which was co-published by the Minnesota Department of Education and MSHA. |
Sonja Griebel, M.A.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: St. Paul Public Schools, ECSE Inclusion |
| Sonja is a bilingual speech-language pathologist and part of the ECSE Inclusion team in St. Paul Public Schools. She was one of the original authors of the Talk With Me manual and is currently working on the new version. |
Beth Knocke, M.S.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: St. Paul Public Schools |
| Beth is a speech-language pathologist in the St. Paul Public Schools, where she works with elementary-aged students. She was one of the first therapists in the district to use the 3:1 alternative scheduling model. |
Deanine Mann, M.S.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: Centennial Public Schools |
| Deanine is a speech-language pathologist in the Centennial School District. She is a member of the MSHA Multicultural Affairs committee and one of the original authors of the Talk with Me manual. |
Cynthia McInroy, M.A.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: Bloomington Public Health/SHIELD |
| Cindy has practiced as a speech-language pathologist in Minnesota for 23 years. Her experience includes having worked at the Fraser School Richfield for 11 years. She currently works half-time for SHIELD, the South Hennepin interagency that provides developmental screening, evaluation, and referral for the birth to 3 population in Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, and Richfield. Cindy also works half-time in the Bloomington schools as a member of the ECSE evaluation team. She is a member of MSHA’s School Issues Committee and one of the Region GW representatives to the MSHA Policy Council. |
Traci Ohlenkamp, M.A.
Osseo School District 279
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| Traci is a full-time speech-language pathologist at an International Baccalaureate junior high in District 279, working with students in grades 6-9. She currently uses the 3:1 service delivery model with all of the students on her caseload. Traci has worked as an itinerant speech-language therapist in District 279. She also works part-time for Kidspeak Ltd., a private therapy company that provides in-home therapy for children ages 0-18. |
Christine Paz, M.A.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: St. Paul Public Schools - ELL & Bilingual Resources |
| Christine is certified in bilingual speech-language pathology. She is involved in the MSHA Multicultural Committee and is a Policy Council member for Region GE. Christine has conducted training in the area of bilingual assessment and given presentations on ELL, multicultural, and other related areas for more than 25 years. She has taught and presented at the university and college level. |
Lisa Knudsen Porte, M.S.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: Bloomington Public Schools |
| Lisa Knudsen Porte has been a speech-language pathologist for the Bloomington Public Schools for seven years. Prior to Bloomington, Lisa worked in rural Colorado schools for 14 years. Lisa is currently serving as the state representative for ASHA’s State Education Advocacy Leader Committee. She is also a member of MSHA’s School Issues Committee. |
Linda Knebel Pruden, M.S.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: St. Paul Schools |
| Linda is a speech-language pathologist living in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience in rural, inner city, and suburban schools; was named Teacher of the Year in her school district in 1987; and was honored as one of three outstanding teachers in the state of Texas in 1988. Linda is the author of five books for teachers. She has presented numerous workshops and seminars in the areas of language, listening, and learning at the local, state, and national levels. Additionally, Linda has been an adjunct faculty member of several universities, including Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she has taught since 1980. |
Barbara Skelly, M.S.
Augmentative Communication Specialist :: ISD 287 |
| Barbara is speech-language pathologist working for Intermediate School District 287. She is itinerant and provides augmentative communication services to three different school districts. Barbara works with students aged birth to 21 in a variety of settings, including home, day care, preschool, elementary school, high school, transition, and post secondary programs. She works with students, school staff, families, and outside agencies providing services to students who have augmentative communication needs. Barbara has worked in this area for more than 15 years, holding similar positions in Minneapolis School District and Courage Center. |
Katherine Widestrom, M.S.
Speech-Language Pathologist :: Anoka-Hennepin ISD 11 |
| Katie is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in both medical and educational settings. She presently works with high school students in a large suburban high school and is presented with the opportunity to advocate for speech-language pathology as a profession and for students with communication disorders on a regular basis. Katie is the current president of the Minnesota Speech-Language Hearing Association. Through this role, she has had the opportunity to advocate for the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology in multiple contexts. |
