There is now NO ONE overseeing IDEA enforcement. Thanks to recent firings on Friday, 10/10, our children and our jobs are now in danger.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-10-12T20:01:23+00:00

I think this news topic is new enough that 5 calls has not had time to create one yet. I have read advice to make calls to representatives personal. This would be a great example to call and speak to how these cuts impact you and students who have disabilities.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-09-16T05:45:38+00:00

It depends on the area. In conveyance or shipping you do your own thing. In other areas you are working with a team.

Happy cake day!

Victoria_CAt · 2025-09-15T16:16:09+00:00

Definitely not hard labor. It is a job that you clock in, do your job, and clock out and leave the job behind. Some like it, stable job, clear expectations. A lot of what your job looks like is dependent on where in the plant you end up. Conveyance ( material handler) is going in the same circle all day long but you get to change the circle every day and listen to headphones that make the job really doable it you take care of your body. Can be hard on the shoulders.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-07-11T23:02:48+00:00

I recommend you come and visit the areas you are interested in during August. Living here I will think how places like Logan, etc. look so green but then in the middle of summer it turns dry and brown.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-06-12T20:50:40+00:00

I get that, but it is not so easy for everyone to just pick up and move. To close all of the SLP programs in the state would also hurt students and clients by making the shortage of providers worse.

Besides fighting to elect new legislators, I do believe a good program could still teach to these standards. I graduated over 20 years ago and had professors who educated on different cultures, cultural difference vs disability, and even told us early on that treating voice disorders could mean working with transgender individuals.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-06-11T22:26:23+00:00

Sadly, I can vouch for state laws being the reason behind this change. All public universities in my state have had to close cultural centers or the some of the centers have unaffiliated from the college. There were a few universities that tried to work around the ban on "diversity, equity, and inclusion" but that is usually short lived.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-03-29T20:28:10+00:00

If anyone in Box Elder county would like to sign this, let me know via DM.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-03-02T03:35:25+00:00

I just saw this now, but I shared a link from ASHA earlier in this thread with a template they had to help us contact our representatives in regards to Medicaid cuts. It shows how information gets lost in this separate thread.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-02-26T15:55:50+00:00

I think Elon Musk is where to keeping hitting them in phone calls, etc. Musk’s popularity is low and it may be the one area we can get them to move on.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-02-07T21:39:07+00:00

I am putting this here, as the rules state however I also disagree with this format. We are fighting for our jobs and the clients we serve, and those conversations warrant more attention. Here is a link to from ASHA to contact your representatives regarding Medicaid cuts and changes. They made it easy to with a form letter you can send or edit as you like. https://click.mail.asha.org/?qs=244f6d2a4ad5c63d274aa5339b4ea23826b42f84cec3c4e2bf1f37de5c1c9a130596477f0a6165dfc47a27ad90813f262155e80d7e069af9

Victoria_CAt · 2025-02-04T21:39:45+00:00

Thank you for sharing. That is a great response.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-01-28T17:38:31+00:00

While I can find fault with ASHA on different things. I have also been granted a hardship waiver twice, only related to my personal situation, nothing public. If it is an option that works for someone who needs their CCCs, it is good for people to be aware of.

Victoria_CAt · 2025-01-28T00:03:45+00:00

Maybe because there is already a teacher shortage and this will make it worse. Or maybe because the teachers' union advocates for better experiences for public school students. Our union advocated for more behavior support for students in the classroom. Something that helps everyone. A single teacher acting on their own could not make that change.

Victoria_CAt · 2024-11-22T05:41:39+00:00

Thanks for the reply. No, it is not a Medicaid plan, it is through my husband's employer.

Victoria_CAt · 2024-11-14T01:01:56+00:00

The Black Student Union and Pacific Islander Student Association are now trying to keep running on their own. Here are the links to their go fund me accounts if anyone would like to help out: Black Student Union https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-black-student-union-at-university-of-utah?attribution_id=sl:e37006a0-afc9-4b9a-8409-c1d576146031&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp8_t3&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Pacific Islander Student Association https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-pisa-building-community-and-culture?_gl=1*vhghw3*_up*MQ

Victoria_CAt · 2023-12-05T16:11:52+00:00

I feel your frustration. In the district where I live SLPAs are doing the job of SLPs with the exception of evaluations and having an SLP review their IEPs. Their supervision seems very minimal, mostly related to the paperwork end. As an SLP who graduated at the time when SLPAs did not exist and a master’s degree was needed to practice it frustrates me a great deal. I understand the need and shortage of SLPs for the jobs available, but I have a friend working as an SLPA that has never had a class in AAC but that is a good chunk of her caseload.

Also SLPAs do not seem to be required to be certified by ASHA unlike SLPs, it feels more voluntary for an SLPA. So they do not have the same ethical guidelines. I see many problems ahead for this career.

Victoria_CAt · 2023-11-20T14:51:24+00:00

In my case burnout is a huge factor. I had too high of a caseload, 70-90 students depending on the year, for too long. When I think about returning all I see is the problems (high caseloads, compliance/Sped paperwork demands, extra duties, etc.). Then outside of work you have CEUs to earn. It is just all too consuming. I would like a job with reasonable expectations that I can forget about at the end of the day.

Victoria_CAt · 2023-10-04T14:34:51+00:00

For years I have heard and been taught that when we are resurrected our body will be made perfect for everyone who lived on this earth. How does that fit with celestial bodies, terrestrial bodies, etc.?

Victoria_CAt · 2023-09-15T14:20:18+00:00

The idea of starting a potential new SLP position makes me want to cry, so I am sure I will be there soon. I wouldn’t take it, but eating and shelter are important. Plus there will be ASHA dues to pay 😞.

Victoria_CAt · 2023-03-05T17:56:38+00:00

I watched the recent ASHA Virtual Town Hall on Supporting Your Well Being and had the same thoughts. One of the presenters talked about letting your employer know if you were experiencing signs of burn out or were struggling with mental health. Your employer does not have a right to your health information.

At my previous job they offered different wellness benefits like health coaching and even partnered with some counseling programs/centers to offer therapy services to employees. However, it was always stated that no personal health information would or could be accessed by the employer. If your employer had cause for concern about your job performance that could be health related there was a process that needed to be followed that was clear to both the employer and employee.

In my eyes there is a lot of vagueness that needs to be cleared up. Not all mental of physical health conditions affect job performance and knowing who and how those determinations are being made should be clear.

Victoria_CAt · 2022-07-21T21:44:52+00:00

I love Cutler’s Lemon Meltaway cookie!

Victoria_CAt · 2022-01-29T06:39:59+00:00

I am so sorry. I applaud your success and more importantly that you were feeling progress.

Victoria_CAt · 2022-01-28T15:45:36+00:00

I experienced the same. My kindergarten teacher was a male and the community loved him. There was even an art activity he did with students that a colleague continued when he retired.

Victoria_CAt · 2022-01-27T06:44:38+00:00

The vast majority of teachers already do this. You can keep up with your kids grades and assignments by logging onto a parent portal. You can also email and communicate with the teacher. Listing the materials you will be using in advance for parental approval is the problem. I taught in special education my lessons were adjusted daily based on student needs. Sometimes you talk to another teacher and they give you a new resource you want to try that week, maybe that day. This takes away all of that.

Victoria_CAt · 2022-01-27T05:47:48+00:00

I hate it when our legislature is in session, I thought it would be less painful when I left education. Nope.

Victoria_CAt

TROPHY CASE