Braelinn Elementary Speech Language Pathologist Emily Johnson helps students build confidence in their communication.
Johnson sculpts plans to build up her students, whether they focus on items like specifics sounds, guidance organizing thoughts, or a stutter.
“My overall goal is to help students communicate effectively and efficiently,” said Johnson. “I want them to have a positive educational experience.”
It takes a team approach of Johnson working with the student’s parents and other teachers. Specific goals are set, and they work together to reinforce and encourage progress. That success spreads as the student takes their tools into every class and into their daily life.
“It affects all areas, and I want them to feel confident, not just in the speech room but in all different settings,” she said. “I want them to be proud of what they worked on and to be able to share the knowledge that they’ve learned with their teachers and peers.”
Success truly comes when the student no longer needs Johnson. That is the ultimate goal.
“We’re working towards that graduation from speech and slowly pulling back on services, and that’s a big win for me and for the student.”
Johnson started college as a nursing major with thoughts of following in her mother’s footsteps. Observing the speech therapist at Brooks Elementary set her path forward.
“I liked the school setting. I like that, in her role, she worked with students in small groups at a time versus a full classroom, and I knew I wanted to be in a rehab role,” she remembered. “After observing her and learning a little bit more about it, I went back to UGA and changed my major.”
Johnson has been a speech language pathologist for 20 years, joining the school system right out of grad school. For 14 years, she was at Sara Harp Minter Elementary. She moved to Braelinn Elementary when her kids started school so she could be at their home school with them.
She came up through Fayette County Public Schools, and she knew she wanted to raise her own family here.
“I had a great experience here growing up, and I wanted my children to have that same experience, and they are.”
She pays that forward, pouring her heart into her students.
“My why is to help build confidence in students so they have a positive experience as I did.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
Posted 11/19/2024
