Clinical Skills Confidence: Navigating a New School

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Clinical Skills Confidence post, so I’m popping in to share how to navigate a new school. I’ve had a tad bit of experience with this. This is my 8th year as an SLP and 5th year at the same school. Before that, however, I have worked in 2 different states. Total, I’ve worked in 6 different schools on a regular basis and at least 4 others to cover leaves for other SLPs. So I have some experience navigating new schools!!

Starting at a new school can be overwhelming and tricky. You have to learn a whole new building, a whole new staff, and a whole new caseload. It’s a lot! These are my tips for making it go a little more smoothly.

1. Get a building map and staff roster: I don’t go far the few couple weeks without these in hand. It helps to start learning teachers’ names and the layout of the building.
2. Locate your speech room/closet/space: You’ll want to start building whatever system works for you as far as keeping track of everyone’s goals. See my goal spreadsheet explanation. See what therapy materials are available and what kind of condition the files are in (trust me, sometimes this is not pretty).
3. Find a buddy you trust: I can usually tell who I click with right away. Whoever it is, it’s nice to have someone in the building you can talk to, ask questions, etc.
4. Introduce yourself and try to start remembering names: Start with the teachers who have your students first. Ask about what times you’re not allowed to pull kids from (specials, lunch, recess).
5. Don’t worry about you replaced: Kids are great at telling you what they used to do or how Mr./Mrs. So and So did things, but it’s now your turf. Run your speech room the way you want to and they’ll quickly adjust!
6. Leave your door open: Often people will pop in if your door is open. It’s a nice way to get to know people.
7. Secretaries and custodians: these people can do A LOT for you, so be nice to them!

It will be nerve-wracking and overwhelming for the first month or so. But you are a confident, professional, poised SLP who will rock it!