Kayla Finke
Austin,MN
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist completing Clinical Fellowship with experience in an elementary school setting serving diverse student populations. Skilled in comprehensive evaluations, IEP development, data-driven intervention, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support students’ academic and social communication success. Experienced in treating speech sound disorders, language delays, pragmatic language deficits, and implementing AAC systems. Adaptable clinician eager to expand clinical expertise across educational or medical settings while delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Fellowship
Southgate Elementary School
Austin, Minnesota
08.2025 - Current
- Led evaluations (i.e., Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation Third Edition (GFTA-3), Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language Second Edition (CASL-2), Clinical Assessment of Articulation and Phonology Second Edition (CAAP-2))
- Performed oral motor examinations
- Participated in and facilitated individualized education plan (IEP) meetings as a speech language pathologist, collaborating on treatment plans with multidisciplinary team members and families
- Collaborated with teachers to enhance student learning experiences
- Networked and built strong presence with peers to facilitate professional relationships.
Sales Associate
Main Street Exchange
Cedar Falls, Iowa
08.2020 - 08.2025
- In charge of opening and closing store.
- Aided customers in finding clothing and household items.
- Oversaw intake of donations, sorting/organizing, and pricing items.
- Provided alternative donation center information.
- Answered phone and provided customer service to consignors.
- Self-motivated with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Internship
Mercy One
Waterloo, Iowa
03.2025 - 05.2025
- Provided speech, language, cognitive-communication, and dysphagia assessment and treatment to adults in acute rehabilitation with supervision
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary rehab team members (PT, OT, nursing, physicians) to support patient-centered care
- Documented evaluations, treatment sessions, and progress notes in accordance with facility and regulatory requirements
- Participated in care planning and discharge planning meetings with contribution of SLP recommendations
- 156.10 hours
Internships/ PRE-Clinical Fellow
Owl Therapy
Rochester, Minnesota
01.2025 - 03.2025
- Sat on individualized education plan (IEP) meetings for mid-evaluations and dismissal of speech services
- Led evaluations such as the Gold-man Fristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA-3), Oral and Written Language Skills (OWLS-II), and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-5)
- Led teletherapy sessions
- Started during transition process of adding new clients to both the school caseload and the clinic caseload
- 206.7 hours
Para Educator
River Hills School
Cedar Falls, Iowa
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Assisted lead teacher in the classroom.
- Assisted students with switches, eye gaze devices, and other communication devices.
- Kept schedule/routine on course and made adjustments when necessary.
- Assisted in other classrooms when needed.
- Supported classroom management by maintaining a positive learning environment.
- Facilitated small group activities to enhance student engagement and comprehension.
- Monitored students in classroom and common areas to enforce rules and support lead teacher.
Server
Urban Pie
Cedar Falls, Iowa
05.2019 - 07.2020
- Served customers
- Kept things organized
- Delivered pizzas to homes
- Supported needs of 15- person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for pizza restaurant with social relevancy and intentionality.
- Provided exceptional customer service, enhancing guest satisfaction and retention rates.
- Coordinated food and beverage orders, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining areas, adhering to health and safety regulations.
- Handled customer inquiries and complaints professionally, resolving issues to foster positive experiences.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to streamline service flow during peak hours, improving operational efficiency.
Education
M.A. - Speech Pathology
The University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa05-2025
B.A. - undefined
The University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa05-2022
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Language Pathology
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IowaHigh School Diploma -
Cedar Falls High School
Cedar Falls, Iowa05-2017
Skills
- Articulation Station, TouchChat and LAMP words for life on AAC devices, Lesson Pix for schedules and topic boards, boom cards, lesson planning, strategic thinking, online learning tools, Google Documents, Google Meet, ClinicNote, Calipso, Excel, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft teams
Accomplishments
Presented research project at the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) conference in December 2024.
Languages
american sign language
Limited Working
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Clinical Fellowship
Southgate Elementary School
08.2025 - Current
Internship
Mercy One
03.2025 - 05.2025
Internships/ PRE-Clinical Fellow
Owl Therapy
01.2025 - 03.2025
Para Educator
River Hills School
08.2022 - 05.2023
Sales Associate
Main Street Exchange
08.2020 - 08.2025
Server
Urban Pie
05.2019 - 07.2020
B.A. - undefined
The University of Northern Iowa
M.A. - Speech Pathology
The University of Northern Iowa
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Language Pathology
The University of Iowa
High School Diploma -
Cedar Falls High School
Community Service
PATH STUDY: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, 2017-05, Present, Served as a subject in the study, answering questions pertaining to tobacco and health
HONORS & AWARDS
Presented at the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) 2024 Elevate Conference, Presented at the Iowa chapter of the Speech and Hearing Association (ISHA), Dean’s List