Vicki Wittenberger – Speech Pathologist

Location: Lakeridge Elementary School

Job description: As a speech pathologist, Vicki evaluates and delivers specialized instruction for students with language, articulation, fluency and voice disorders.

Typical day: In the morning, Vicki attends meetings with staff and/or parents, organizes her day ahead, and works on student evaluations and plans, otherwise known as IEP’s. “There is a lot of paperwork,” says Vicki, although nowadays most of it is done online. She has seen many changes in her 40 years with MISD. “When I first started in 1971, I had a caseload of 110 kids. There weren’t any special education laws then, so we had very little paperwork. Ideally now, a full-time caseload would be 45 students.

At 9:20 a.m., when school starts, Vicki sees students individually or in groups of up to four, every half hour. She works with them on their individual speech and/or language goals. As an example, some children have difficulty pronouncing their ‘R’s. Vicki likes to focus on a sound they are able to make, such as the ‘K’ sound and work towards the ‘R’ sound. As both are made with the same high, back tongue position, this muscle work is a way of tricking the tongue. Eventually the tongue is strong enough and the students are on their way to correction.

Best part of the job: “All the staff I have worked with over the years.” But for Vicki, the greatest reward has been working with students. “I feel like I’ve made a difference in a lot of kids’ lives.”

Something people may not know: “I’ve been here since I was 21 years old!” Vicki exclaims. “There’s not much about me that people don’t know!”

Years in district: Vicki started at MISD in 1971 and student taught at Mercer Crest Elementary in 2nd grade and in speech therapy. When a space opened up that year, Vicki, who has a dual-degree, became a full-time speech pathologist, and began shuttling between different schools for the next 40 years. “I’ve been at every school that ever existed in this district!” Vicki says. “But I’ve been at Lakeridge continuously throughout, and it’s always been home.” Vicki will retire at the end of this school year. “I don’t know how I’ll do it,” she says. “I may come back as a substitute!”

Outside interests: “I guess I’d better find some, eh?” Vicki jokes, referring to her impending retirement. Actually, she is an avid quilter and loves to travel. “Last year, my husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in Europe,” says Vicki. “We spent four weeks touring Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, and London. We wanted to do it while we could still jump on the trains!” At home, Vicki enjoys running, riding her bike and hopes to do more volunteering. She and husband, Mike, whom she met while in high school – he was the older brother of a friend – also enjoy golfing. Vicki and Mike live in Bellevue and have two sons, Jason, who is married, and Jeff, who will be married this summer.

Clay Laughary - Technology TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment)

Location: Mercer Island High School and Crest Learning Center

Job goal: Clay’s primary goal is to help teachers and staff learn to use technology effectively in their teaching. He tackles problems and questions as they arise, holds before- and after-school training sessions for teachers and staff, and confers individually with staff as the need arises.

Typical day: It might include researching and implementing technology for specific lessons or units, going into classrooms to assist teachers with new programs, researching iPad applications and then making staff aware of the applicable ones, fielding technology integration questions, and training staff on a variety of technology usages. This is Clay’s first year as a technology TOSA. He’s on leave from his regular position as a math teacher. "People aren’t going to ask me to teach poetry, but if they want a poetry blog so students can have a more authentic audience and have "conversations" about each other's work, I can help set up the blog! It’s a lot of multi-tasking. Actually, I like to think of it as ‘multi-switching.’” Demonstrating his ability to multi-switch during this interview, he asked, “What’s the next question?” as he downloaded a program that would help this interviewer with transcribing.

Best part of the job: “Helping to smooth out some of the frustrations that teachers have with technology,” says Clay. “I know how busy the days are when you teach. It’s valuable to have someone on hand to make technology tasks easier and faster.”

Something people may not know: Clay is an award-winning baker! At his previous school, Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, his apple pie won first prize in the annual pie-baking contest. “I think it won because the crust had a maple leaf design and it was really flaky,” says Clay. “I spent a lot of time on it, and no, I’m not giving up my pie-baking secrets!” Clay, who completed his National Board Teacher certification in 2009, might have trouble locating that particular certificate but, “I know exactly where my winning pie contest certificate is!”, he says with a laugh. (It’s hanging in his school office). Clay’s family prizes his baking talents, as well—every Thanksgiving there is a standing order for his rolls.

Years in district: This is Clay’s sixth year with the district. He followed older brother Creighton to MIHS several years after Creighton was hired as an English teacher. Two brothers who share a last name and whose first names start with C sometimes cause workplace confusion but, surprisingly, “we look nothing alike,” says Clay.

Outside interests: Clay is a competitive Life Master bridge player. ”I should be a Bronze Life Master before summer starts. And I’m looking forward to playing in the National tournament held in Seattle this upcoming fall,” says Clay. “I try to play in a club game at least once a week.” Clay grew up in Spokane, WA, attended WABASH College, and earned his Masters in Teaching at Arizona State.