Hello! I’m Cathy Woidtke, a lifetime learner and educator.  I’m very excited to be part of the team launching telepractice, a new speech/language service delivery model for BRIC this school year.  As the SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist) on the team, I provide direct and indirect services using real-time, face-to-face, audio and videoconferencing technology.  I am excited about all the new possibilities this technology brings!  
A few of the many benefits of telepractice service delivery include:

• Additional SLP access for service delivery
• Additional technological and online materials for students
• Additional opportunities to tap into student learning styles and interests
• Additional accessibility of the SLP for meetings and discussions, with face-to-face collaborative interactions
• Additional opportunities for parent involvement and participation in speech/language sessions, providing a natural bridge for home to school practice activities
• Additional accessibility to areas of SLP expertise

Having worked in the schools for 32 years, preschool through high school, I know firsthand how captivated students are with technology, how natural the use of technology is for them.  Speech/language telepractice extends many opportunities for students, parents, and school staff.

Telepractice Language-Literacy Instruction:
The following link to an ASHA publication on literacy describes the new role of an SLP in student language-literacy development.  Telepractice provides additional SLP time and services, making available areas of SLP expertise.
http://www.asha.org/publications/leader/archives/2007/070529/070529d1.htm

Language-Literacy Education:
My background includes extensive language-literacy instruction, in the classroom and in one-on-one individualized sessions, using research-based learning strategies. I created a program for “at-risk” students in grades 9-12 and developed materials to address student language-literacy needs in the areas of vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, phonics and phonemic awareness.  I use these materials during telepractice, when appropriate.

I am allowing my materials, Language-Based Literacy Strategies, to be available to other educators for instruction with students.  Each section contains the following:

• A bibliography documenting research on learning 

• A section overview with steps for strategy completion and material needed
• Graphic organizers to use with each strategy
• A website resource for each strategy, providing further instructional information

Resource Link:  Language-Based Literacy Strategies
For explicit instruction and demonstration in using these materials, please contact me:                                                            cathyw@gra.midco.net
                                                       (701) 746-8056
                                                  cathyw@wiktel.com
                                                       (218) 783-7366