Finding the perfect fit in a California school setting can feel like navigating a maze without a map. Whether you are a clinical fellow or a seasoned clinician, understanding the nuances between direct district hire and contract positions is essential for career satisfaction. This lighthearted, interactive panel brings together experts from the field, including district-hired employees, a former district Lead SLP, and SLPs from CDE-certified Non-Public Agencies. We will strip away the formal jargon to discuss what actually makes a resume stand out in a stack of hundreds, how to sniff out the "real" culture of a school during your research, and how to tackle interview questions without the robotic script. Expect a candid "fireside" vibe where we debunk hiring myths and share the "green flags" and "red flags" to look for in your next school-based position. Panelists are to answer questions to help inform SLPs interested in school-based practice, not to promote one option over another.
We will strip away the formal jargon to discuss what actually makes a resume stand out in a stack of hundreds, how to sniff out the "real" culture of a school during your research, and how to tackle interview questions without the robotic script. Expect a candid "fireside" vibe where we debunk hiring myths and share the "green flags" and "red flags" to look for in your next school-based position. Panelists are to answer questions to help inform SLPs interested in school-based practice, not to promote one option over another.
Speaker Biographies:
Elizabeth Burcham Biography: Beth Burcham, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist with 16 years experience spanning settings that included preschool through high school at public schools, skilled nursing facilities, and online clinical review for insurance claims. She is the one of the two speech leads within her district. She directly supervises SLP and SLPA student interns from various programs. Within CSHA, she is currently the Lead for the Schools-Based Continuing Education Subcommittee. She graduated from the third cohort of CSHA’s Leadership Development Program in March 2026. She is a summa cum laude graduate of California State University, Sacramento.
Ashley Richter Biography: Ashley is a school-based SLP at a PK-8 site, as well as a practicum instructor and clinical supervisor. As the former Lead SLP for the Irvine Unified School District, she successfully mentored a department of over 75 SLPs and 20+ SLPAs. With experience spanning clinical, supervisory, and professional development roles across diverse settings, Ashley understands what it takes to build thriving educational teams. She is a passionate advocate for workforce alignment, dedicated to helping SLPs navigate the hiring process to find roles and assignments that match their unique clinical strengths.
Stephanie Sweigart Biography: Stephanie Michele Sweigart is an optimist and hopeful by nature that broken systems can change, and that transformation begins with how we communicate in them. She is the leading expert on mindfulness and compassion-based practices in special education. She is certified as a Teacher of Mindfulness Meditation and as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Stephanie Michele is a presenter for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s national convention 2023 and 2024, as well as the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Convergence 2025. She is the founder of a woman-owned Non-Public Agency, Golden State Speech Pathology Services, Inc. since 2013. Stephanie Michele is the author and creator of the popular course, “ShiftMakers: 1.0” and “The Framework to Becoming a Mindful Speech Clinician”. She is also a speaker and former YouTube host for SpeechTherapyPD.com. Her insights have been featured on numerous podcasts including “Speechie Side Up”, "First Bite" and “SLP Coffee Talk" where she shares her passion and thought leadership on professional holistic practices. Stephanie Michele hosts The Morning Commute Podcast- Helping School-Based Professionals Thrive on SpeechTherapyPD.com. She believes in the mission and is a supporting member for The Center for NonViolent Communication. Stephanie’s unwavering dedication to empowering individuals to use clear and compassionate communication underscores her mission to make a profound impact in the world of special education.
Maret Wilson, M.A. CCC-SLP Speaker Biography:
Maret is an SLP and VP School Services at SPG Therapy & Education, supporting school-based providers and teams across CA. Maret has served in various clinical, supervisory, and management roles, and is passionate about empowering SLPs to practice with informed confidence.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
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