It's a standard elementary school setting. Posters line the walls. Some show tips on context clues, others simply offer words of welcome and encouragement. There's a bookcase nearly overflowing that sits just inside the door. No doubt it's packed with the latest in speech-language pathology research. In the room's center, you'll find two chairs surrounding an ordinary table upon which decidedly extraordinary work is done. It's in this small space where big things are happening for Amonte Wafford.
"I do hard work," said Wafford, smiling with pride. "I do prefix, compare and contrast. I sound out my words. I re-read my story when I'm confused or ask a teacher." The list is long when it comes to things the fifth grader can do. He reads and plays basketball. He hangs out with his cousins and loves going to water parks - "that's my most favorite thing," he exclaimed. And when he makes his way to Malia Wilson's office at Jewell Elementary, he shows off a work ethic like few others can.
"Having high expectations for our students is essential," said Wilson, a speech-language pathologist in her seventh year at the school. "They deserve it and they can do it. When we put that expectation up there, they will meet it."
Wilson's goal is to improve her students' communication skills so they can better engage with the general education classwork. The effort embodies the mission of the Equity in Learning pision and Aurora Public Schools as a whole. "The district has been really focusing on, whether you come from a different setting or a different life experience, we will do what we can to get you to where you need to be," Wilson said.
To break down those barriers, the district employs a team of over 115 speech-language pathologists who share research, solve common problems and ultimately, celebrate their students' successes.
Gwynn Brownell helps lead that team. She's been instrumental in reimagining their approach, like reducing each therapist's caseload to enhance instruction for students and collaboration with general education teachers. "When the resources are in place, our students are making amazing connections and growth, which is increasing their confidence and their desire to achieve big things," said Brownell. "I cannot say enough of the great things our SLP team does on behalf of their students."
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When Brownell and Wilson speak about their careers, the command of their craft impresses. What's even more captivating, however, is their passion for helping students like Wafford meet their potential. "To see the growth that he is making, his confidence in general, is so cool to see," said Wilson. "It's exciting, too, to hear the teachers raving about him and how well he's doing in the classroom. He's putting in the work and it's really amazing to see."
Back in Wilson's office, swiveling in a hard-backed office chair near his favorite poster of the room's collection - an arrangement of persely-colored hands around the words, "your voice matters" - Wafford chats more about what he wants to do in life. There'll be cross-country journeys and more trips to the water park, but as far as a career goes, he's still uncertain. However, when Wilson, teary-eyed with a beaming smile, considers his future, she has no doubts. "Oh my goodness, anything! He's so motivated, so smart and personable. He's just incredible. He could truly do anything that he wants to do in life."
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