Speech-Language Department
The district offers unique opportunities to learn about or expand your knowledge base in regards to assessment and intervention with a culturally and linguistically diverse population. The majority of our caseload is comprised of Native American students, largely from the Navajo tribe. Caseload is varied, but the majority of our students present with language needs.
Travel is involved, but this is divided equitably among therapists. E.g. If you travel out one day, you will be in two days or vice versa. Related service personnel are encouraged to travel together and some SLP’s are involved in co-treatment with OT’s/PT’s. Transportation is provided for out of town travel beyond 10-15 miles.
Caseload runs between 40-50 students with our goal for next year to be closer to 40 students apiece. All ages are available. All of our public schools have 3&4 year old programs. We are itinerant personnel and are not accountable to individual school principals. Neither myself, or my supervisor, dictate therapy methods to individuals, although methods appropriate to oral language development for CLD students is indicated.
Many of the clinician’s in the department are practicing with a strong emphasis on literacy. The department is comprised of 21 therapists who are very supportive. We have an excellent library of therapy supplies and testing materials.
More specifically: CFY supervision is available and we also provide training to clinician’s who have not been exposed to a CLD population. We try to arrange caseloads so that therapy can be completed in 3 days. This leaves you with a day for evaluations/paperwork. Friday mornings are open to you and Friday afternoons are involved in staff and dept meetings for 3 of the 4 Fridays.
Salary begins at $ 44,916 for CFY’s and ranges up to a little over $54,516 dependent on years of experience, with a nice benefit package provided. There is a $1,500 sign on bonus that is allotted in two payments. You can download an application at here. The salary quoted there is the teacher’s salary.
We have our own separate licensing unit. The cost is $65/year, and you are required to have ten clock hours of continuing education. The district is excellent about providing the time off. How much they will pay for trainings/workshops is variable. If it is an expensive workshop out of state, they might make a deal with you where you would be responsible for travel expenses, but they would pay registration or vice versa.
Beginning this year SLP’s are also required to have a Dept. of Education license which is ~ $75.00 for the initial process for a license that is good for three years.
Please contact me if you have questions. My e-mail address is srichards@gmcs.k12.nm.us. My phone number is (505) 721-1844. If you do wish to submit an application, please mail me a copy at Educational Development Center, 1000 E. Aztec, Gallup, NM 87301 or fax it to (505) 721-1899. If I know it has been sent in, I can expedite the process.
Hope to hear from you!!!
Sharol Richards M.S., CCC/SLP
Chairperson- Speech-Language Department
Gallup-McKinley County Schools