MANSFIELD – The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center launched its first High School Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Mentorship Program Kickoff Event on Jan. 13.
District Superintendents, Student Services Directors and Speech-Language Pathology Mentors were in attendance to participate in the inaugural event.
The Mid-Ohio SLP Mentorship Development Team, comprised of SLP Mentorship Coordinator Kevin Fourman; SLP Mentorship Consultant Leslie Reid with Highland Local Schools; and Mid-Ohio ESC Regional SLP Consultant Johanna Gilland, developed the SLP Mentorship Program.
This program is designed to support the professional growth and career aspirations of district Speech-Language Therapist Mentors and selected SLP High School Student Mentees.
Mid-Ohio ESC Superintendent Kevin Kimmel welcomed attendees, describing the initiative as a part of a strategic plan to enhance recruitment and retention in the Speech and Language Pathology field starting at the high school level.
The coordinator and SLP consultants outlined the program expectations and included goals for the SLP mentors and mentees.
Specifically, each mentee will gain exposure to the role of the speech-language pathologist, shadow SLP Mentors and explore these career opportunities with local higher education institutions.
The Mentorship Program encourages active student engagement as they develop their skills and gain guidance and support from experienced SLP mentors.
Madeline Collins, a graduate of the SLP Graduate Development Program, shared insights and advice with the mentees and offered recommendations to the high school mentees as they enter each phase of the SLP Career Continuum from High School Mentorship to Graduate School.
The 2025 Mid-Ohio ESC Cohort of SLP Mentors: Alison Roof, SLP, Bucyrus City; Lauren Bracale, SLP, Highland Local; Jessica Staten, SLP, Crestview Local; Carly Nelson, SLP, Madison Local; Kori Hoffman, SLP, Madison Local; Abbey Abraham, SLP, Madison Local; Morgan Klenk, SLP, Lexington Local
The 2025 Mid-Ohio ESC Cohort of SLP Mentees: Crawford County – Emma Graves, Bucyrus City Schools; Morrow County – Emerson Bragg, Highland Local Schools; Richland County – Elina Gilland, Mansfield St. Peters School; Elyse Belcher, Crestview Local Schools; Lily Cline, Crestview Local Schools; Hannah Markley, Madison Local Schools; Emily Bogner, Madison Local Schools; Sylvia Secrist, Lexington Local Schools
Each Mentee in the 2025 Speech Language Pathology Mentorship Program will have the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship on behalf of The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors and the Richland County Community Connection Grant.
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties.
Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.