About Page

MEET SARAH

Hi, I am Sarah

I'm an SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) with a passion for helping students and school-based SLPs. After spending years in the education system, I realized that the traditional fix-it model wasn't always effective. I found colleagues and books that solidified my thinking and motivated me to explore new ways of working.

In 2003, I moved to British Columbia in Canada and found a school district in Prince George that embraced a problem-solving model with a collaborative approach - a great fit! Throughout my career in the UK and Canada, I've presented at conferences and served on committees to discuss the role of SLPs and service delivery models. I've also been the Director of School SLPs for Speech and Hearing BC for four years.

My goal is to strengthen our community and empower school-based SLPs to challenge the norms and embrace collaboration. We can provide evidence-based interventions to our students, in collaboration with our teachers, both in and out of the classroom. But there's still work to be done. The main barriers we face aren't the skill or knowledge of SLPs (because they're incredible as always!), but rather the uncertainty about how to challenge traditional ways of working and the lack of understanding from administrators on how to modernize our services.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN OR HEARD ME HERE:

Past Events

It was so exciting to meet so many enthusiastic and creative school-based S-LPs in Vancouver. We had some very interesting discussions! I left with a sense of optimism for the future of school-based S-LP services.

I heard from others that there seems to be a momentum to challenge past ineffective practices and look forward creatively with 21st century principles in mind - by both very experienced and newer S-LPs. By learning from the different perspectives, we can help each other on this journey to support our students and education staff in a modern way even whilst being very understaffed.

Podcast Interviews

Learn a bit more about Sarah and the Workload Approach
on her latest Podcast Interview with Lisa Archibald