About Me

Hello, my name is Desiree Rusch.  I have been a speech-language pathologist for just over 16 years.  Wow, time certainly does fly!  I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Stockton University.  I also proudly earned my Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I hold my certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and am licensed by the state of Ohio.

This year held a trifecta of proud professional moments. #1- My colleagues selected me as the Educator of the Year nominee for our elementary school. I was both honored and humbled as I learn so much from my colleagues on a daily basis. They are truly amazing and so inspiring to share my days with. The picture below was taken after the Wilks Awards Dinner.  I wish I had taken an earlier photo because I am missing several very special friends!

Look at all the special treats I had in store that week! We had a special lunch too but I forgot to snap a picture.

The staff and my students all adorned these adorable buttons! They were also wearing my favorite color... green!

My adorably decorated door

One by one, my students all delivered flowers to fill this vase!

This book was filled with kind messages from my students.  This basket was overflowing with all of my FAVORITE things!

#2- I was nominated as a Quiet Hero which was also an unexpected honor. You can read more about that nomination here.

#3- Last but certainly not least, through the magic of Facebook, I was able to "friend" my first student who is now a colleague as well. I have a rule not to friend any students on Facebook (I assure them that I am really not that interesting anyway). I proudly broke that rule when Kelsey, a past student of mine, graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology from the very same University that I attended so many years ago. Did I mention that she graduated in three years instead of four?!  I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for such a vibrant SLP in the making! You can read more about her journey here in an article written by her sister, another former student! I am bursting with pride for the accomplishments of these two very special "little girls" that came into my life many years ago.

Speech Graduate: Then and Now...The first photo of Kelsey was taken in my speech room many, many moons ago.  The next features the official graduate with her beautiful mama. 

Update: Here is a photo I snapped on my way to the ASHA Headquarters. I was invited to visit ASHA and participate in their campaign to advertise our amazing field. I loved it!

I look forward to sharing my journey as an SLP in this crazy thing we call life with you! Thanks for coming along for the ride!

UPDATE: My trip to ASHA's Headquarters was an once in a lifetime experience! Everyone was so friendly and I was so honored to participate in the Power of the CCC's campaign! Here is a photo snapped during the surreal moment that I came across the larger than life sized poster they used at the ASHA convention!

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