Jill Shedd, speech language pathologist for upper grades at Spring Hill Elementary, believes that better things happen with better communication. 

Shedd works with students in grades 3 through 5, along with students in some special programs like ACCESS and TRIAD. Language skills are a primary focus, but the goal is also to help them improve as two-way communicators. That means not just what they say, but also how they listen and understand social cues. 

“A lot of times we spoon feed kids information all day long, and they never get a chance to observe and ask questions and be curious and develop those skills in how do you find out more information without having to look it up,” said Shedd.  

The role requires an approach tailored differently for each student. 

“Every student has a personality and prior trauma, prior knowledge, prior successes, prior failures that they bring into any interactive situation.” 

In many of the sci-fi fantasy novels she loves reading, the hero has a moment where they realize their own power. That moment hit for Shedd when she was taking college classes and found her calling. 

“They realize that they have these skills. They’re coming out of them like they’ve never felt before,” said Shedd. “I felt like that when I sat in that chair for speech pathology. I landed in the right spot. I knew that.” 

After working in other areas, she ended up taking her experience into an education setting where she found that the interaction fed her. 

“I like to hear words. I like to hear how people send their message across,” she said. “I did realize that I want to be a supporter or promoter for people to gain skills in actually getting their message across.” 

Now in her second full year teaching in Fayette County after 25 years elsewhere, Shedd feels blessed to be a Spring Hill Sun. She loves that the whole environment is joy-filled, and every room has something to do with sunshine. 

“How can you not love a place whose mascot is sunshine?!” Shedd said. 

The bottom line is she helps build better communicators because that applies in all walks of life and all relationships. 

“You want to have a foundation of good communication in order to weather the hardest things and celebrate the brightest joys.” 

“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.

Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.

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