Meet Our Speech Team
In Monroe County Schools, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) help students with speech, language, and communication needs. They work to prevent, check for, and treat problems that may affect how a student talks, listens, understands, or expresses themselves.
We currently have 5 licensed SLPs and 1 Speech-Language Teacher (SLT) serving students across all 12 schools in our district.
How SLPs Help Students
SLPs do much more than just work with students in therapy. They also:
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Work closely with teachers, families, and school staff
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Help plan classroom support and strategies
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Do speech and language evaluations
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Keep records and write reports
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Join school meetings and support teams
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Collect data to track progress
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Help all students communicate more clearly and confidently
How Students Get Help from an SLP
Sometimes, teachers or parents notice that a student may be having trouble with speech or language. When that happens, the SLP may join the Student Support Team (S-Team) to help plan next steps. This may include trying classroom strategies or doing more formal testing.
If the SLP completes an evaluation, the results are shared with the IEP Team (which includes parents, teachers, and other staff). If the student meets the state rules for a Speech or Language Impairment and the problem affects their learning, the team may create an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
How Services Are Provided
Students who qualify for speech or language services may get help in different ways:
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One-on-one or small group therapy
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In the classroom with support
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Consultation with the teacher and staff for classroom strategies
The type of service depends on what the student needs to do their best in school.
Learn More About Speech and Language Support
If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language skills, talk to your child’s teacher or school principal. They can help you connect with the school’s SLP.
Kelsey Boring provides therapy and case management for students at Madisonville Primary School, Madisonville Intermediate School, Madisonville Middle School, and Sequoyah High School. Ms. Boring may be reached at [email protected]
Mallory Gruenenfelder provides therapy and case management for students at Madisonville Primary School and Sweetwater High School. Ms. Gruenenfelder may be reached at [email protected]
Karen Kirkpatrick provides therapy and case management for students at Tellico Plains Elementary School, Tellico Plains Junior High School, Tellico Plains High School, and oversees therapy at Coker Creek Elementary and Rural Vale School. Ms. Kirkpatrick may be reached at [email protected]
Betsy Mashburn graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S. in Biology in 2018 and continued her education at the University of Memphis, where she graduated with an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology in 2020. She currently provides case management and therapy services at Madisonville Primary and Sequoyah High School. Ms. Mashburn may be reached at [email protected]
Brittany Pina joined the Monroe County Speech team in 2024. She currently provides case management and therapy services at Vonore Elementary and Vonore Middle. Ms. Pina may be reached at [email protected]
Alicia Russell provides therapy across the county under the supervision of our licensed speech pathologists. Ms. Russell may be reached at [email protected]