We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordyn Sheriff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordyn below.

Hi Jordyn, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

As a speech-language pathologist working with military families in both the school setting and private practice, I kept hearing the same questions every time a family moved. Parents were trying to understand how the IEP process worked in a new state. They were navigating referrals and authorizations through TRICARE during a PCS. They were being placed on new waitlists. They were unsure how EFMP worked or how to make sure their child’s services followed them.

At the same time, I saw something else just as clearly. I saw military children showing incredible resilience in the face of constant change, and parents who were doing everything they could to support them. They loved their kids deeply—but they were often left to navigate complicated systems without clear guidance.

As both a military spouse and an SLP, I realized I was in a unique position to help. I understood the speech-language and educational systems, but I also understood the realities of military life—the unpredictability, the moves, and the emotional toll it can take on families.

That’s when the idea for Courageous Communicators really took shape. I wanted to create a space where military families could find practical guidance, advocacy tools, and encouragement from someone who truly understood both sides of the journey. What excited me most was the possibility of helping families feel less alone and more confident as they navigated these systems. Because military families shouldn’t have to figure everything out alone every time they move.

Jordyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a speech-language pathologist, military spouse, and the founder of Courageous Communicators, a platform dedicated to supporting military families raising children with communication needs.

Through Courageous Communicators, I specialize in helping families navigate major transitions that are common in military life, such as PCS moves and deployments. These transitions can disrupt speech therapy, educational services, and support systems, leaving many parents trying to figure out how to access services again in a new place. My goal is to help military families feel more confident and supported as they advocate for their children’s communication needs.

I offer virtual parent coaching sessions where families can talk through concerns such as accessing services after a move, supporting emotional regulation during transitions, or understanding speech and language development. I also provide virtual IEP advocacy support to help guide parents through the special education process when entering a new school district, since each state’s timelines and procedures can differ.

In addition to coaching and advocacy, I create practical digital resources designed specifically for military families. One example is my guide, Speech Therapy & PCS: An Actionable Guide for Military Families, which helps parents prepare for speech therapy services before, during, and after a move.

The name Courageous Communicators is deeply meaningful to me. It is inspired by Joshua 1:9 — “Be strong and courageous.” I see that courage reflected in military children every day as they navigate change, new environments, and new relationships. I hope that this work not only supports families practically but also reflects my faith and gives me opportunities to share the love and hope of Jesus through the work I do.

What I’m most proud of is creating a space where military families feel seen, supported, and empowered. Military children show incredible resilience, and their families deserve resources and support that move with them.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Completing my first military PCS as a brand-new military spouse and newly graduated speech-language pathologist during the COVID pandemic shaped my resilience in profound ways. I moved more than 5,000 miles from home and stepped into a new job in a school system I didn’t understand, in a state I had never lived in, without knowing anyone in my community. Many days I felt unprepared and overwhelmed, and there were moments when I seriously considered quitting because I felt so lost. But my coworkers and other military spouses stepped in and supported me, guiding me as I learned how to navigate both my new role and military life. Their encouragement helped me grow in confidence, and day by day I gained the skills and perspective I needed. That experience taught me that resilience grows through perseverance and community—and it continues to shape the way I support military families today.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My reputation has been largely built on trust, lived experience, and practical guidance that truly meets the needs of military families where they are. As both a speech-language pathologist and a military spouse, I understand the clinical side of speech therapy and special education, but I also understand the realities of military life that can disrupt services for children with communication needs. Families know that the support I offer is grounded in both professional expertise and personal understanding. I strive to provide clear, actionable guidance that helps parents feel confident advocating for their children while also creating a space where military families feel seen, supported, and not alone in navigating these challenges. I’m also passionate about uplifting the broader military spouse community by intentionally supporting and collaborating with other military spouse–owned businesses whenever possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecourageouscommunicators.com/
• Instagram: @courageouscommunicators

Image Credits

Blake Hamilton Photography