By: Whitney Dittman, MS, CCC-SLP, TSHA SEAL

The Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL) is Whitney Dittman. The main purpose of the SEAL position is to support public school speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists in the areas of advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills, with an end goal of influencing administrative and public policy decisions that affect SLP services in the school setting. This is accomplished by networking with other state SEALs at monthly meetings as well as with state leaders at the district and state levels. Additionally, the SEAL serves as a resource for fellow audiologists, SLPs, and other educational personnel on local, state, and national issues. 

Each month, the SEALs gather to discuss the challenges facing TSHA professionals who work in schools and to network with individuals who can effect change. At meetings, ideas are shared and possible solutions are discussed. SLPs and audiologists who work in educational settings are encouraged to reach out to Whitney at whitneydittman@icloud.com with concerns. Communication with our members employed in the schools is critical if the SEAL team is to be effective.