Lara Leonard
Denver,CO
Summary
Speech-Language Pathologist with over 10 years of experience supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental disabilities, and complex communication needs. I have a deep passion for helping children communicate and for guiding teams to create meaningful learning experiences. I bring experience in IEP coordination, program development, and staff coaching, and pride myself on being flexible, organized, and reliable. I thrive in collaborative, team-driven environments and am eager to apply my clinical expertise, leadership skills, and program development experience to roles that enhance educational programs, improve outcomes, and support meaningful growth for students and teams.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Student Services
Elevation Ability Services
Aurora, CO
08.2024 - Current
- Lead educational programming initiatives within a specialized school, balancing organizational priorities, regulatory requirements, staff capacity, and individual student needs.
- Supervise and coach special education teachers, providing ongoing feedback and professional support.
- Facilitate collaboration among educators, administrators, families, and external providers to coordinate services effectively.
- Develop systems and standardized tools to enhance program consistency and communication.
- Monitor program quality and compliance, identifying gaps and implementing practical solutions for improvement.
Education Coordinator
Elevation Ability Services
Aurora, CO
08.2021 - Current
- Oversee implementation of IEPs to ensure services align with student goals.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local special education regulations, including IDEA.
- Oversee case management processes including referrals, evaluations, annual reviews, re-evaluations, and progress monitoring.
- Facilitate IEP meetings using a strengths-based, family-centered approach with multidisciplinary teams and caregivers.
- Coordinate with educators, therapists, and families to ensure timely completion of documentation and progress reports.
- Provide training and technical assistance to staff on IEP goal writing, progress monitoring, case management systems, and family communication.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Elevation Ability Services
Aurora, CO
09.2020 - Current
- Plan and deliver push-in speech-language therapy for students ages 6-16 with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, targeting language, social communication, executive functioning, AAC, speech sound disorders, and early literacy.
- Develop and implement treatment plans, monitor progress, and adjust interventions to support functional communication outcomes.
- Conduct assessments and evaluations, translating results into individualized goals and intervention plans.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and monitor IEP goals.
- Provide training, coaching, and feedback to instructional assistants, special education teachers, occupational therapists, and BCBAs.
- Support community-based instruction by facilitating real-world communication and social interaction opportunities.
Speech-Language Pathologist
The Joshua School
Denver, CO
07.2015 - 09.2021
- Delivered push-in therapy for students with autism and developmental disabilities ages 5-19, enhancing language, social communication, AAC, speech sound disorders, and literacy skills.
- Administered assessments and developed and monitored IEP goals in collaboration with team members.
- Developed and implemented Functional Communication Plans in collaboration with teachers and BCBAs.
- Trained and coached staff, parents, and community educators on effective communication strategies and AAC to improve student engagement and communication outcomes.
- Supervised SLPA and trained peer mentors to effectively support and implement student communication programs.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Denver Public Schools
Denver, CO
08.2013 - 06.2015
- Designed and delivered inclusionary and pull-out therapy for students ages 3-12 with diverse disabilities, targeting receptive and expressive language, social skills, AAC, and speech sound disorders.
- Case managed students whose primary disability was Speech and Language impairment.
- Collaborated with Multi-Intensive classroom teacher to create and implement an enriched language curriculum, enhancing communication opportunities for students.
- Partnered with general and special education teachers to enhance classroom social and language support, fostering a more inclusive learning environment.
- Consulted and collaborated with school teams for referrals, evaluations, and annual reviews of students.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Motor Milestones
Denver, CO
03.2013 - 08.2013
- Delivered in-home early intervention services for children with speech and language disorders under 3 years, enhancing communication skills and familial engagement.
- Guided parents in implementing strategies to promote communication during play and daily routines, fostering supportive language environments.
Education
Master of Arts - Speech-Language Pathology
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO12-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Disorders
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO05-2011
Skills
- IEP compliance and development
- AAC assessment and intervention
- Complex communication intervention
- Curriculum adaptation and instruction
- Staff training and development
- Collaboration and leadership
- Family engagement and support
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Organizational skills
- Flexibility and adaptability
Certification
- • CAMP-Colorado Autism Mentoring Program, CDE, May 2026
• Educational Identification of ASD, CDE, 02/25
• Gestalt Language Processing Training, Meaningful Speech, 01/24
• Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment, Gregory Hanley, 01/21
• Essential For Living 101 and Consultation with Patrick McGreevy, 12/20
• Safety Care Advanced Training, 10/20
• ASHA Autism Specialty Area, Participant in committee to review test for certification, 06/20
• The PROMPT Institute, Certified Since, 12/19
• Effective Interventions and Improving EF Skills in Children/Students, Sarah Ward, 12/18
• Zones of Regulation Training, Leah Kuypers, M.A. Ed., OTR/L, 12/18
• Children With Autism, Matching Interventions to Communication Needs, ASHA, 08/18
• Social Thinking Conference, Michelle Garcia Winner, 05/17
• ASD Literacy Institute, Colorado Department of Education, 10/15
Timeline
Director of Student Services
Elevation Ability Services
08.2024 - Current
Education Coordinator
Elevation Ability Services
08.2021 - Current
Speech-Language Pathologist
Elevation Ability Services
09.2020 - Current
Speech-Language Pathologist
The Joshua School
07.2015 - 09.2021
Speech-Language Pathologist
Denver Public Schools
08.2013 - 06.2015
Speech-Language Pathologist
Motor Milestones
03.2013 - 08.2013
Master of Arts - Speech-Language Pathology
Truman State University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Disorders
Truman State University