Making the move from a skilled nursing facility to an elementary school was a big change for Speech-Language Pathologist Erin Aswell, who went from working with calm, low-energy elderly patients to energetic children with special needs. Yet, Aswell calls it “the best job!”
“After speaking with Suanne McConathy (Bossier Schools Speech Coordinator), I felt such a sense of peace about making the change,” Aswell explains. “The transition definitely came with a learning curve, but over time, I’ve truly fallen in love with the students and the joy of seeing them grow and make progress in communication and in all areas of their lives!”
Aswell hit the ground running at Elm Grove Elementary, where she quickly became a cheerleader for all the Gators, not just her own students. It has not gone unnoticed.
"She has been significant not only in her role as a speech therapist, but also in the culture of our school,” says EGE Assistant Principal Chris Kourvelas. “Students who do not even go to her for speech know her and she knows them, as she is truly caring and loves the students and her job. We wouldn’t trade her for anyone else!”
Principal Kimberly Meeder echoed those sentiments, adding “She always has a positive attitude and is willing to do what it takes to help our school to succeed.”
Most recently, Aswell saw her years of persistence pay off and her dream become a reality when a new sensory lab was brought to life. Special Education Coordinator Autumn Mason gets excited talking about it.
“This project reflects her commitment to creating inclusive spaces where all students can thrive,” beams Mason. “Beyond her work on the sensory lab, Erin’s daily impact is remarkable. She gives many children their voices through the use of assistive technology, ensuring that every student is able to communicate and connect. She is beloved by her students, who know her as someone who listens, empowers, and believes in them.”
It is why Mason spearheaded an effort to recognize Erin Aswell for the gold star she is. Winning Bossier Schools’ Gold Star employee award was simply a formality to cement what Elm Grove Elementary already knew, but one that caught Aswell off-guard as district administrators, her colleagues and students up and down the hallway cheered for her when she was surprised with the news.
“Elm Grove Elementary may be small and in the deep south of the parish, but I can confidently say I work with some of the BEST people in the parish!” Aswell exclaims. Thank you to ALL of you!”
In an interview following the Gold Star announcement, we asked Aswell about her career journey, what a Speech-Language Pathologist does in the school setting, and what makes it rewarding. Here’s what she had to say:
Let's start with the year you started working at Bossier Schools and how you came to us. Suanne McConathy indicated that you were working in the private sector as an SLP when she first met you.
"I started working in Bossier Parish in 2018 after making the move from a skilled nursing facility. It was a big change, going from working with calm, low-energy elderly patients to energetic, high-needs children in the school system. A fellow SLP, Megan Lee, who still works in Bossier Parish, called to tell me how much she loved her job and that there was an open position. After speaking with Suanne McConathy, I felt such a sense of peace about making the change. The transition definitely came with a learning curve, but over time, I’ve truly fallen in love with the students and the joy of seeing them grow and make progress in communication and in all areas of their lives!"
What do you love most about being in the school setting?
"My favorite part of working in the school setting is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students. As a speech-language pathologist, I am thankful to spend consistent time with my students each week, sometimes for several years, allowing me the opportunity to witness their growth and development firsthand. I really value the small moments with students including hearing about their weekends, laughing at their silly jokes/dance moves and learning about their friends and families. Some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing students with limited verbal language learn to use communication devices to participate in conversations and be able to connect with peers. It is truly a blessing to witness a child’s growth in being unable to formulate a sentence at 3-4 years old to engaging in full, meaningful conversations with peers and adults just a few years later in school. Everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate and be understood, and being even a small part of that journey is what makes this the best job!"
Not everyone knows what an SLP does in the school setting, so explain how you help children with special needs and diagnoses, as well as other children.
"A Speech-Language Pathologist in a school is the communication expert, whose primary role is to ensure that all students can access their education and participate fully. For students with special needs or specific diagnoses—such as Autism, Down Syndrome, or speech-language impairments—SLPs provide specialized therapy to address key areas including articulation (producing sounds), expressive and receptive language (using and understanding words and sentences), fluency (stuttering), and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, giving students a functional voice. SLPs support not only students with special needs but any student who struggles with communication that impacts learning, reading, or social skills. They help build social skills, early literacy, and overall communication to remove barriers and help every student succeed and express themselves confidently.
In Bossier Parish, many SLPs contribute far beyond these traditional roles. Some provide tutoring services, participate on reading intervention teams, committees for school events, or serve as check-in/check-out support for students with behavioral needs. Others serve on SBLC teams, create visuals for speech students and non speech students, collaborate with staff and teachers, provide professional development training on AAC and communication strategies, and screen all students with suspected communication issues in their schools. Bossier Parish SLPs are also there to step in as reliable support whenever administration needs assistance which makes them an integral part of the school community."
You received glowing accolades for the sensory lab you envisioned and made reality. Why is a sensory lab beneficial to the students at EGE and what is your desired outcome?
"The vision for our new sensory lab began nearly two years ago when I noticed the growing needs of our students and the condition of our previous sensory space, which contained limited, worn materials that no longer effectively supported sensory regulation. A sensory room is designed to help students regulate their emotions, attention, and energy levels. It offers multisensory experiences, such as lights, textures, movement, and calming sounds. By providing access to tools and activities that help manage both overstimulation and under-stimulation, sensory rooms help students to return to class more focused, organized, and ready to learn. Although a sensory room is used primarily for students with sensory processing disorders or autism, it can be effectively used for students with ADD, ADHD, anxiety/depression/mood disorders, developmental delays, and intellectual disabilities. Ultimately, our goal at Elm Grove Elementary is for this sensory lab to be a space that benefits every student!"
The way we teach students and meet their needs is constantly evolving as we become more educated ourselves. How have you seen your own field of work evolve since you first started to better help students achieve at their highest potential?
"This topic is increasingly important in the field of special education, as we continue to see a rise in both special needs and mental health diagnoses that require additional support, often under the umbrella of special education. When I first began as a speech-language pathologist, my primary focus was on having students come to a small group, produce sounds or answer questions accurately, comply with tasks, and then return to class. Over time, I have found that students make the most meaningful progress when relationships are prioritized first. Building trust is essential. When students feel understood and supported, they are more receptive to learning. Collaboration with the student’s team, including OT, APE, teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and others, is critical to a student’s success. Every team member brings their own skills and perspective, and when we work together, we can offer students a variety of strategies and support to help them make the most progress. One of the biggest inspirations for creating the sensory room came from a continuing education course I took. I learned that speech therapy, or any learning for that matter, isn’t as effective when students come in dysregulated, and that using sensory input and regulation strategies alongside therapy can help them make so much more progress. That idea really sparked the vision for our sensory room and set the project in motion. Incorporating a multisensory approach into my therapy has involved trial and error and remains a work in progress, but reflects the evolving nature of education today."
Here's the fun part. Share a little personal lagniappe about yourself. What are your hobbies? What is something surprising people might not know about you? Anything on your bucket list that you have crossed off or want to do?
"I was born in Shreveport, but raised in south Louisiana. I graduated from Louisiana Tech University with both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology (Go Dawgs!). My husband and I attended Louisiana Tech at the same time but didn’t meet until after college, at a wedding we were both in for our friends. We’ve been married for five years and have a two-year-old son named Brooks. In our free time, we enjoy watching crime/cop and reality shows (some of which Andrew will actually watch with me), playing outside with Brooks, going on walks, traveling to new places, trying new restaurants, and playing games. Our life seems ‘boring’ as I am typing this out, but after the last two years of my husband battling cancer with chemo treatment and surgeries all while I was pregnant and giving birth, boring seems really nice! Most people I work with might be surprised to learn that I play a little guitar and sing in my free time (though I’m no Mrs. Greer!). My bucket list includes being a contestant on The Amazing Race, visiting Hawaii and/or Fiji, and going skydiving!"
Here's your chance to add anything I am not asking, people you want to thank, etc. The floor is yours!
"This sensory room would never have been possible without the support of so many people, and I could not have done it without them. I am deeply grateful to my family and husband for listening to me talk nonstop about this project for two years, as it often felt like a never-ending saga. Thank you to Mrs. Meeder for giving us the opportunity and classroom to create this space; to Coach Kourvelas and Officer Barnett for assisting with assembling the swing despite having no instructions or tools; and to Mr. Tasby for helping me brainstorm ideas and connect me with the right people to get this project started. Thank you to Dr. Gegg for cheering us on and helping our ideas become reality. Thank you to Jessica Taylor, Mawiyah Bomani, Mandi Robin, and the rest of the SPED team at EGE, who spent countless hours supporting and encouraging the sensory room project. A big thank you to Kathy Benton, OT, and Amanda Snider, APE, without whom the room would still be filled with unusable materials instead of the beautiful, functional equipment it has today. Thank you to several of our EGE teachers who also contributed by providing bulletin borders and other decor that helped transform the room into a welcoming and inspiring space. A special thank you to Autumn Mason, our amazing SPED coordinator, who, during one of the most challenging years of her career, took the time to collaborate with me, share the vision, and push it through the appropriate channels. She deserves a gold star for her unwavering support. Elm Grove Elementary may be small and in the deep south of the parish, but I can confidently say I work with some of the BEST people in the parish!! Thank you to ALL of you!"
Editor’s note: Know someone who works for Bossier Schools that is deserving of recognition for going above and beyond? Nominate them for the Gold Star award, proudly sponsored for the 13th year by Bossier Federal Credit Union. Visit https://bit.ly/GoldStarForm to tell what sets them apart and be watching for our next Gold Star surprise.