Mrs. Constance Zimmerman
Email: clzimmer@mpsaz.org
Phone: 480-308-7423
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
For the last eighteen years I have been a member of multidisciplinary teams working within self-contained classrooms with young children ages 2-5 who exhibit developmental delays providing therapy for the children as well as direct instruction to parents, teachers and instructional assistants for enhancing speech and language development.
EXPERIENCE
1977-2012 - Speech Language Pathologist Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, AZ
2005-2006 - Speech/Language Pathologist for East Valley Speech Pathology Associates (currently Advanced Therapy Solutions) in Chandler, AZ.
During these past 35 years I have been employed by the Mesa Public School District. From 1977 through 1994, I provided services for the Kindergarten through grade 12 population, working with a variety of individuals exhibiting communication delays which included language, articulation, voice, and fluency disorders. During this time I also collaborated with classroom teachers to provide optimal language experiences within the classroom environment. I used a very "hands-on" approach utilizing art and cooking activities as well as writing and traditional approaches such as games and drill activities.
In 1994 I began working in the Special Education Preschool Program. During this time I acted not only as the speech/language pathologist, but as teacher and team member to plan activities and strategies for speech and language development. I also have provided inservices for parents and staff on such topics as language facilitating techniques and strategies as well as storytelling and developing emerging literacy skills. Again my approach has been very "hands-on" utilizing toys, art activities, snack items, and manipulative materials which typically related to a theme or topic. During home visits language facilitating strategies and techniques are explained and demonstrated to parents.
In addition to providing therapy to young children I have also administered complete speech and language evaluations and have written evaluation summary reports and have been part of the team responsible for writing annual review IEP’s and Terminiations. I am very familiar with Genesea, the online program which Mesa Schools has adopted for IEP related documents.
During the 2005-2006 school year I was employed by EVSPA where I served preschool age children in a variety of HeadStart Programs as a contract SLP utilizing similar therapy strategies.
EDUCATION
B.S. Speech and Hearing Science Arizona State University 1975
M.S. Speech Language Pathology Arizona State University 1977
Annual Continued Education in a variety of areas and topics within the field of Speech Language Pathology and Special Education through attending inservices, seminars, conferences and conventions.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Early literacy by providing children and their parents with language rich storybooks and activities which further facilitate language and emerging literacy skills. I also enjoy writing stories, songs and fingerplays and creating materials such as thematic placemats for concept development.
AFFILIATIONS AND SPECIAL LICENSING
American Speech and Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competency
Arizona State License as a Speech/Language Pathologist
SPECIAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Mesa Public School's "Special Educator of the Year" Award 1995
Mesa Public School's "Employee of the Month" 1999
Mesa Public School's "Special Educator of the Year" Award 2011