Title: Speech-Language Pathologist
Company: Chicago Public Schools
Location: Chicago, IL United States

With expertise in helping students with language and articulation disorders, Janice Shepard has more than 40 years under her belt as a speech-language pathologist. She worked within the school system to formulate treatment plans, handle private sector patients and those seeking early intervention, provide services for and identify students who possess speech and language disorders, provide therapy and in-services for faculty and staff and conferencing with teachers and parents.

Previously, Ms. Shepard provided speech and hearing screenings and evaluations for Plano Child Development Center. She also taught Speech and Language Development at Chicago State University. She worked patients who suffered strokes and head injuries, and offered early intervention services for children up to three years old who had delayed speech and language development and feeding problems.

One of the highlights of her career was observing a cleft palate surgery on a three-year-old boy. She recalled how rewarding it felt to know that he would be able to eat and speak normally after healing and participating in speech therapy. The clinical practicals she participated in during her training helped her to gain substantial experience as well. She attributes her success to her passion for her work. The sense of accomplishment she feels when she sees her patients’ improving their communication skills is unlike anything she has experienced.

Ms. Shepard received a Bachelor of Science in speech hearing and science and a Master of Science in speech pathology from Bradley University. She also has a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a certified early intervention specialist. Her career in education has been honored with a variety of awards, including the Elite American Educator and the Award for Many Years of Service to Chicago Public Schools Children.

Ms. Shepard  is a member of several organizations, including the Chicago Teachers Union, the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Association of Professional Women.  Although she retired from teaching, she is now working as a speech-language consultant in the Chicago area.

Contact Janice Tucker Shepard