Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Caines
Hi Tanya , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well here’s my origin story!
I became a speech pathologist in 2006, but the desire was instilled in me back in junior high school when a friend’s sister had a cleft palate and required speech therapy at home to assist with feeding. I was intrigued and as I went to college, I majored in Psychology at CUNY City College and then got my Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from NYU.
I have worked for the NYC Department of Education for all of my career. I worked for 10 years with junior high and high school students with intellectual disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down’s syndrome and individuals with autism. For the past 8 years, I have worked in a general education elementary school providing speech services for students in self contained classrooms as well as inclusion and general classroom students.
I have also worked in Early Intervention with medically fragile students with a specialty in behavioral feeding and have worked as an adjunct lecturer and speech supervisor within two universities in New York.
I also have my classroom educator certificate from Orton Gillingham Academy and am Associate level trained.
I began Kit Language and Literacy during the pandemic. I realized that people; former students, concerned parents or just people looking for answers were always calling me regarding speech and language therapy. When I asked around, I realized that I provide practical advice and tips for speech therapy within funny stories and relatable information. That desire to provide new and transitioning speech pathologists (SLPs) with practical information on how they can create easy lessons and approach organizing their paperwork stuck with me and here I am!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NO, it has not been a smooth road! I am naturally a more private person. I like to hang in the background, but having a business you really have to put yourself out there! Especially with the inclusion of social media! You really have to be open, put yourself out there and allow whatever may come.
It was a struggle also to create a planner for speech pathologists! I created a planner because I know that speech pathologists are juggling so many different hats and sometimes we struggle staying on task and organized.
It’s also been a struggle learning all the things that come along with a business. There’s a lot to do with the systems behind what everyone sees and that can be overwhelming if you’ve never had anyone show or teach it to you. I’m thankful to my business coach Dr. Ali Griffith for teaching me all the things!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So I am a speech language pathologist by trade, but my business is really about providing new and transitioning speech pathologists with information and techniques to make their therapy simpler and easier. I also love providing resources like planners and the paperwork hacks to help them with organizing their work life.
What sets me apart is that I am just like them! I know what it’s like to work in a school and really want strategies and resources to make my job easier. I also have lots of stories of things that happened to me (I’m a little bit of a goofball) that can help speech pathologists they may encounter at work!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can find me on Linktree where you can get access to my Instagram handle, previous articles and interviews.
On Linktree you will also find my schedule if you want to have a conversation with me regarding a specific matter.
You can also email me at [email protected]
Pricing:
- $20 Effective SLP Planner
- $25 Speech Pathology Session Plans
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/kitlanguageandliteracy
- Instagram: KitLanguageAndLiteracy
- Other: https://bit.ly/ChatKitLLC
