I love helping teens (and adults) build skills that increase connection and understanding. When I became a speech language pathologist 22 years ago, I did not have a lived understanding of the long-term impact of communication skills, especially for people that did not fit the 'norm.' As I sat with centenarians in nursing homes and toddlers in a children's hospital, I learned quickly that communication can be as simple as sitting quietly and touching a hand.I spent 14 years in schools, including working through the first and second years of COVID. Having been through teaching fully remote and hybrid, I've seen what works and what doesn't work when it comes to engaging neurodivergent students.In teaching a life skills class to students with autism and other social communication challenges, none of the available curriculums delivered what the students needed. So I built one myself.It was important to me to build it using a trauma-informed approach. In doing so, I help students learn critical thinking, build self-awareness, and create a positive self-image.To me, research matters! Not only is it important to me to "do no harm", but I feel compelled to use data to prove that I'm making a positive impact on the students we work with.It is my dream come true to be working on Social Optics - creating a way for everyone to become more open about communication, normalize differences, and improve well-being. At the end of the day, it's the connections we create with others through communication that give us a sense of belonging. I am always on the lookout for new adventures. Some fun experiences from my past include:- Fly-fishing guide for 3 summers- Space Camp counselor in Huntsville at the Space and Rocket Center- Tennessee Girl Scout Camp Counselor, taking 8 teenage girls on overnight horse pack trips using low/no-impact camping strategiesI am the mom of 2 amazing teenagers, 2 horses, and a cat.