Skaggs Elementary School 2026

Amy Cohen

Skaggs Elementary School - Elementary Speech-Language Pathologist
E-mail congrats

Teaching Philosophy

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), my philosophy of teaching is grounded in one simple phrase that I have posted on my wall: Your Words Matter. This belief guides every interaction I have with my students, families, and colleagues. My role as an educator is to ensure that every student, regardless of communication method, ability level, or learning need, has access to meaningful, functional communication and is treated as a capable, valued communicator.

In my time as an SLP in Plano ISD at Skaggs Elementary, I have been privileged to work with many students who have low-incidence disabilities and significant cognitive delays within the classrooms on my campus. This population in particular, is where my passion as an SLP lies. These students face barriers that significantly impact what their communication looks like and how they access communication. They may use gestures, eye gaze, vocalizations, facial expressions, and/or AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to communicate. For students who use these communication methods, creativity, an emphasis on collaboration with staff members in the classroom, and providing opportunities to communicate across settings is crucial for their success.

In my speech lessons, I adapt instruction to meet students where they are, whether they are working on articulation, language development, or functional communication using alternative methods. One way I have applied my own creativity and my unique passions is through the development and implementation of sensory stories. By intentionally pairing multi-sensory stimuli (touch, sound, smell, sight, movement) with simple written narratives, I am able to share things I love, such as hiking, kayaking, and even making pancakes, while teaching core vocabulary and providing meaningful experiences that honor each student's communication strengths. This work extended beyond my own campus this past summer, when I collaborated with other speech-language pathologists and teachers to develop sensory stories aligned with district curriculum, and continued into the school year when I presented these strategies to district SLPs to support engagement and functional communication in classrooms across the district. Knowing that this work now supports students I may never meet has been one of the most meaningful parts of my role as an SLP in Plano ISD thus far.

Collaboration with teachers and paraprofessionals in classrooms with these students has been essential not only to my students' growth but also to my development as an SLP. By pushing into classrooms during whole-group instruction and leading lessons alongside classroom staff, I have had the opportunity to empower teachers and paraprofessionals to become skilled communication partners by building their confidence and competence with AAC systems. As a result of these collaborative experiences, colleagues increasingly seek my guidance for problem-solving and instructional support, which has strengthened my confidence and abilities in collaborating with all teachers and supporting communication needs for all students throughout the school.

By supporting students in expressing themselves, fostering collaborative relationships with colleagues, and creating meaningful opportunities for communication, I strive to ensure that every student's voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Those three little words on my wall motivate me to continue finding creative ways to remove barriers, build confidence, and celebrate every student's ability to communicate, because every word, reach, eye blink, head turn, or icon activation truly matters.

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Principal's Recommendation

Dear Plano ISD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

Amy Cohen joined the team as our Speech Language Pathologist at Skaggs Elementary at the very start of my principalship, and she has been a trustworthy teacher for our campus throughout this entire ten-year journey. She immediately filled a crucial gap, becoming the special education advocate our campus desperately needed. It is with great honor that I recommend Amy Cohen as the Plano ISD Teacher of the Year.

While Mrs. Cohen never openly shared her educational philosophy to anyone, she radiates the belief that every child deserves our keenest interest. She serves two very different populations of students. With one group, she utilizes play-based learning so effectively that students cannot wait to see her; they have a blast playing games, unknowingly mastering their speech goals in the process.

In our structured classrooms, where students face significant developmental delays, her impact is even more profound. I recall a lesson she designed for a student with visual and hearing impairments using a tray of soapy water and 3D items attached to adaptive book pages. Mrs. Cohen created a culture of collaboration, having guided the special education paraprofessionals on exactly how to support the student's hands to feel the water and the story. Every lesson she crafts is customized, ensuring that each lesson is effective. Seeing Mrs. Cohen and the support staff singing and cheering for their students is a testament to the joyful culture that's been established in the classroom.

Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Cohen is a quiet leader. She naturally evolved into a mentor and the "go- to" person for her fellow special education staff. Mrs. Cohen puts her whole heart into her work, and in doing so, she helps every child thrive.

In closing, I want to reiterate that Mrs. Cohen exemplifies the dedication, expertise, and heart of an extraordinary educator. I can think of no one more deserving to represent the excellence of Plano ISD.

Sincerely,

Karen Lee
Principal
Skaggs Elementary School