Tipton Community Schools celebrates speech-language pathologists during Better Speech & Hearing Month

Submitted by Tipton Community School Corporation

During Better Speech & Hearing Month, Tipton Community School Corporation TCSC) recognizes the extraordinary work of its speech‑language pathologists (SLP), Carolyn Friend, M.A., CCC‑SLP, and Valerie Watson, M.A., CCC‑SLP. Every day, these two dedicated professionals help students strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and access the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.

At a time when districts across the country face shortages of specialized educators, TCSC is fortunate to have two highly experienced, deeply committed SLPs serving students from preschool through high school.

“Carolyn and Valerie bring exceptional skill and heart to their work,” Superintendent Dr. Ryan Glaze said. “Their impact is felt in every building, every classroom, and every student they support.”

“Communication is at the center of everything we do,” Friend said. “For students, being able to understand information and express themselves clearly is essential, not just for academics, but for building relationships and navigating daily life.”

Together, Friend and Watson identify, assess, and treat a wide range of speech and language needs, including articulation, language development, fluency, voice, and augmentative and alternative communication. They support students with developmental delays, autism, apraxia, aphasia, dysarthria, dysfluency, dysphonia, traumatic brain injuries, and other communication challenges.

“Our work is about helping students find their voice – sometimes literally,” Watson said. “We collaborate with teachers, families, and support teams to make sure each student has what they need to communicate with confidence.”

Friend and Watson serve more than 150 students across TCSC, providing therapy in both dedicated spaces and classroom environments. Students receive individualized goals through an Indiana Education Plan (IEP), and families receive quarterly progress updates to stay informed and engaged.

Therapy is delivered during the school day, and for homeschooled students, outpatient services are available.

“We want every child to have access to the support they need,” Friend said. “Communication skills open doors, and we’re here to help students walk through them.”

Both hold undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ball State University, maintain national certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and pursue ongoing professional development to stay current in the field. Their backgrounds span schools, hospitals, First Steps programs, and long-term care facilities, giving them a broad perspective on communication development across the lifespan.

Watson leads in-service training for Tipton Elementary School staff; conducts speech and hearing screenings for grades K, 1, and 4; participates in MTSS meetings; and screens incoming Kindergarten students annually.

Friend has sponsored the TMS National Junior Honor Society for 20 years, teaches sign language classes at TMS, has served on the middle school safety committee, screens incoming Kindergarten students; lectures on child development in THS psychology classes; conducts seventh- and 10^th-grade hearing screenings; provides hallway supervision and supports building initiatives; and has served as a guest lecturer for Ball State University’s master’s program.

Their contributions extend far beyond their therapy rooms; they are educators, mentors, collaborators, and champions for students.

Friend and Watson agree that the most rewarding part of their work is watching students grow.

“Seeing a student gain confidence in their ability to communicate – whether it’s mastering a sound, expressing a need, or engaging in conversation – is why we love what we do,” they said.