Speech Pathology Week is August 25-August 31!
Anne Hockman, Speech Pathologist for Princeton City Schools, has built a career in communication. She values the many ways we communicate, and supports students in finding their own best way to do so.
Originally, Ms. Hockman majored in Spanish, as well as Business and Communications, at Ohio University. After a career teaching ESL at Hamilton City Schools, Ms. Hockman noticed a growing passion for the work of Speech Pathology. In her 30's, she returned to school at the University of Cincinnati to pursue her Masters in Speech Pathology and Communication Science Disorders. Since then, she has spent 11 years working with students ranging from age 3 to 23, at four school districts across the area. In her own words, "It really is a fun, diverse, interesting job to have within the schools. I get to see kids make great progress and find confidence to advocate for themselves and express themselves to the best of their ability."
She also understands and appreciates the various ways that people communicate, including verbally and non verbally. Below, she expresses the importance of valuing all types of communication:
I love communication and all the ways that we send messages to each other in the obvious and inferential ways. In the world of communication we have verbal and nonverbal forms of communication and all manner of getting messages across should be honored and respected because we are all unique individuals. I work a lot with kids who struggle to understand and express the nonverbal forms of communication like using body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to send messages to others. I also work with students who need to work on their grammar and vocabulary due to having challenges with reading or expressing themselves through the spoken and written word adequately. When I work at Glendale Elementary one day a week with little kids, I also work with how some kids make their speech sounds and form words, which is different than working with language in general with my older students at the high school level. In my world we believe that all behavior is communication and that we are constantly sending messages to others about our thoughts and feelings. It's up to each other to respect all those forms of communication so that we can build meaningful relationships with others.
While at PHS, Ms. Hockman is located on the 2nd floor in room 2078. If you see her, wish her a happy Speech Pathology Week!