When the Data Leads the Way: How SLPs Shape Instructional Practices & Legislation

Leadership By Design: Reflections from Season 3 & Looking Ahead to 2026

In this special wrap-up episode, co-hosts Judy Rich and Nathalie Lebrun revisit the bold insights, vulnerable truths, and innovative strategies shared by this season’s lineup of powerhouse guests—from school-based changemakers to nationally recognized voices in Speech-Language Pathology. Together, we’ve explored how SLPs lead from every lane—therapy rooms, IEP meetings, district offices, and beyond. We’ve talked about operationalizing values, redefining data, confronting dysfunction, centering student outcomes, and challenging the systems that hold us back. As we reflect on Season 3’s biggest takeaways, we also look ahead to our TSHA 2026 keynote—a celebration of connection, advocacy, and “Culture by Design.” Whether you're a longtime listener or joining us for the first time, this episode is your invitation to be part of the constellation of SLPs who are designing the future of our field—one bold move, conversation, and hello at a time. Follow the podcast, share it with someone you admire, and help us grow this community of intentional, inspired school-based leaders.

When the Data Leads the Way: How SLPs Shape Instructional Practices & Legislation

In this dynamic and heartfelt episode of LeadSpeak, we sit down with Rachel Powell—Director of Curriculum & Instruction, veteran SLP, data enthusiast, and award-winning leader—to explore how school-based speech-language pathologists can expand their reach far beyond the therapy room. Rachel shares her evolution from clinician to systems-level leader, all rooted in a deep love for literacy, a passion for diagnostic clarity, and a commitment to student success. You’ll hear how she uses her SLP skill set to influence reading outcomes, coach teachers, rewrite state policy, and build collaborative, data-informed teams that change lives. - From Data Collector to Data Coach Learn how Rachel transitioned from tracking student outcomes to coaching educators on using data to improve Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction, highlighting SLPs’ value beyond IEPs. -SLPs Belong in Literacy Conversations Rachel pushes beyond the narrow dyslexia lens to advocate for SLP involvement in broader literacy initiatives, curriculum development, and language standards alignment. -Professional Development Starts With Inquiry She shares how she crafts adult learning experiences grounded in curiosity, background knowledge, and mutual respect, empowering educators instead of prescribing solutions. -The Power of Serendipity + Strategy From earning her PhD to leading multi-disciplinary teams, Rachel shows how staying open to opportunities and aligning them with your passions leads to lasting systems change. -Silos Don’t Serve Students Rachel makes a compelling case for breaking down professional silos—between general education and special education, between disciplines, and between policy and practice. -Change Takes Time—and Partners System-level advocacy (especially at the state or policy level) requires patience, persistence, and partnerships. Rachel walks through how she builds credibility and momentum. Whether you’re a veteran SLP, a team lead, or someone wondering how to elevate your leadership impact, Rachel’s story offers a blueprint for action: lean into mentorship, stay curious, connect your data to your purpose—and don’t wait for permission to make meaningful change.

Operationalizing Your Values: Creating Systems to Lighten the Load (and Retain Your SLPs)

In this episode, we sit down with Natalie Crow, the trailblazing current Coordinator in Richardson ISD, North Texas. Natalie shares her inspiring journey from feeling isolated and overwhelmed early in her career to building one of the most supportive and sustainable school-based SLP teams around. Listeners will learn how Natalie turned big ideas into concrete systems — from tailored appraisal tools and intentional goal-setting processes to professional learning communities (PLCs) designed specifically for SLPs. Her approach is rooted in the mantra "many hands make light work," and she shows how shared leadership and collaboration can transform both staff culture and student outcomes. You'll hear about how Natalie and her team operationalized their core values (literally spelling SHINE!) and used books like Dare to Lead and The Multiplier Effect to guide decision-making, grow leaders from within, and advocate powerfully for their team. Whether you're an experienced leader or stepping into leadership for the first time, this episode offers practical ideas for building trust, fostering a culture of growth, and creating systems that help people stay — and thrive. Key takeaways: - The power of operationalizing values — how aligning decisions and systems to shared values strengthens culture and supports consistency. - Why “many hands make light work” became a guiding philosophy to reduce burnout and create a place people want to stay. - The creation of a customized appraisal tool and portfolio approach that offers authentic, specific feedback rather than a “one size fits all” model. - How shifting from traditional top-down supervision to mentorship, coaching, and goal-setting grows both skills and confidence. - Strategies for creating effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for SLP “singletons” to reduce isolation and foster authentic connection. - Lessons from Dare to Lead and The Multiplier Effect on leading with vulnerability, avoiding “accidental diminisher” tendencies, and inspiring shared ownership. - The importance of designing systems that lighten the load — for better student services and to help recruit and retain high-quality SLPs. - A culture of active contribution: empowering each team member to meaningfully shape resources and support district-wide impact. Natalie Crow is the Speech-Language Pathology Coordinator for Richardson ISD in Texas, where she leads a team of 4 exceptional lead SLPs and 81 ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists. With 14 years of service in the district, Natalie is passionate about cultivating a collaborative, supportive culture that prioritizes equitable workloads and professional growth—all with the goal of delivering excellence for students. She holds both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in communication sciences and disorders from Baylor University. Natalie’s leadership philosophy is rooted in transparency, kindness, gratitude, and the belief that empowered SLPs create lasting student impact. Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of three and has been happily married for 10 years to her incredibly supportive husband. X: @NCrowSLP @RISDSLPs https://www.lifespeakllc.org/leadspeak-podcast Do you have recommendations for Season 4 of LeadSpeak? Email us! nathalie.lebrun@lifespeakllc.org

Not Just Semantics: How Language Shapes Your Leadership

What does it take to lead when you don’t have the title, the authority, or the last word? In this episode, Dr. Megan-Brette Hamilton—SLP, professor, qualitative researcher, and ASHA’s Chief Staff Officer for Multicultural Affairs—shares how real influence is built through trust, clarity, and connection. With experience spanning Brooklyn classrooms, university lecture halls, and national leadership circles, Megan-Brette shows us what it means to design culture from the inside out—through the words we choose, the relationships we build, and the systems we challenge. In this illuminating conversation, we explore: - Writing evaluations that allow families to see and understand their children, not just their test results - Building buy-in from students and staff—even when you don’t have direct authority - Aligning “thought bubbles” across multidisciplinary teams to create shared advocacy and action - Understanding the difference between purpose and goal—and how that distinction unlocks more strategic leadership - Using ethnographic interviewing with students, families, teachers, and your own team to uncover motivators, reduce assumptions, and foster trust - Conducting “desk visits” as a simple but powerful way to understand the complex humans on your team—so corrective feedback can be grounded in connection, not correction - Repairing dysfunctional teams by separating issues from individuals, zooming out to root causes, and re-centering shared values - Practicing interprofessional collaboration that ensures everyone—from SLPs to teachers to social workers—is delivering consistent messages, language, and expectations, making student generalization seamless and meaningful. Whether you're supporting students in therapy rooms, leading school-based teams, or shaping inclusive systems, Megan-Brette reminds us that culture isn’t handed down—it’s built. And it begins with how we listen, how we lead, and how we lift others along the way.

Measuring What Matters: Student-Centered Progress with Purpose

What if the data point that mattered most wasn’t 80% accuracy—but your student’s confidence? In this empowering episode, Hallie Sherman, the dynamic mind behind Speech Time Fun and Speech Retreat, joins us to talk about what progress really looks like in the school-based SLP world. From reminding us that slow progress is still progress, to helping students tie their communication goals to real-life dreams—like asking someone to prom or making the soccer team—Hallie delivers practical, flexible strategies to meet students where they are. We dive into: - Why no-data sessions are still successful sessions - How to build relevance and trust by focusing on student desires beyond the classroom - Shifting from perfectionism to presence in your therapy room - Reframing setbacks through a growth mindset (and a favorite YouTube video called Famous Failures) Whether you're managing a massive caseload, mentoring others, or simply in need of a mindset reset—this episode offers the reminder that you're doing more than collecting data: you're creating impact. Be sure to "like" and "follow" LeadSpeak wherever you get your favorite podcasts!