Filling a toolbox with SIM and the ALLC

The Adolescent Literacy and Language Consortium (ALLC), established as a part of the Virginia State Professional Development Grant, provides guidance, information, networking, and support for state Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs). This account, from Susan Trumbo, SIM Professional Developer and SLP, provides a peek at the work resulting from participation in the consortium.

The ALLC  honed Susan Trumbo’s skills in the application of SIM Learning Strategies and Content Enhancement Routines for the benefit of ALL students in classroom settings, not just those with Individualized Education Plans. When she moved into a middle and high school position, curriculum-relevant therapy took on a whole new meaning through SIM. SIM Learning Strategies and Content Enhancement Routines were invaluable to her in the secondary setting.

Additional activities from the ALLC included workshops on identifying evidence-based intervention practices for language impairment and challenging use of other approaches; a webinar Proficiency in the Sentence Writing Strategy: A Dissection from the Eyes and Ears of a Speech-Language Pathologist, and workshops to foster reciprocal support and expertise  among the SLPs providing services across the Content Literacy Continuum (CLC) and Virginia Tiered System of Support (VTSS) sites to address adolescent language and learning.

To culminate all of these activities, Susan shares her reflections and the impact of The ALLC and SIM on her work as an SLP now working as an independent consultant in SIM Learning Strategies to provide professional development to classroom teachers and specialists in elementary, middle, and high school settings. Says Trumbo, “During my years in secondary  schools, my ‘tools of the trade’ primarily arose from SIM and the support I received from  participating in the Adolescent Literacy and Language Consortium. “

~Susan Trumbo
Independent Consultant
Fincastle, VA

_{Originally published in SIM 30x30+ more stories of success, hope, and innovation (2017, 30x30+14).}