Lara Savelson
New Paltz
Summary
Experienced Educator and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over two decades of experience. Specializes in the language–literacy connection and the science of reading. Integrates expertise in systems design, MTSS, data analysis, and evidence-based instruction to drive equitable outcomes across diverse student populations. A proven leader in professional development and continuous improvement. Empowering educators with the tools and structures needed to align instructional practices with cutting-edge science of learning.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Intern
New Paltz Central School District
New Paltz, NY
05.2025 - Current
- Completed and presented a Needs Assessment for the district’s current protocols and processes for identifying and responding to student needs as well as current problem-solving practices across the district.
- Developed and wrote a district-wide Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Plan to articulate the district's vision for a continuous improvement process.
- Collaborated with faculty to design common assesment frameworks aligned with institutional goals and state educational standards.
- Designed and facilitated professional development workshops for staff, fostering continuous improvement in teaching practices.
- Championed a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, fostering strong relationships among faculty, staff, students, and families.
- Analyzed data to identify trends and gaps in student performance, informing strategic planning efforts to inform strategic decision-making.
- Introduced new instructional technologies to enhance data management in order to render it accessible to all educators.
Speech-Language Pathologist
NEW PALTZ CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
New Paltz, NY
09.2008 - Current
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to analyze student data, formulate a hypothesis about student needs, and design intervention goals and protocols to promote student progress
- Serve on the response to intervention, building equity, and literacy action teams to support the adoption of evidence and research based Tier 1-3 literacy programs, vertical and horizontal alignment of teaching regimens, and equitable, expedient access to appropriate instruction and intervention
- Design and deliver professional development experiences about the implementation of Sound Walls for veteran teachers transitioning instructional practices to align with science of reading
- Provide turnkey professional development on Selective Mutism and Neurodiversity Affirming Practices to support teachers in ensuring progress for students
- Proposed, developed, and implemented a Kindergarten Literacy Program including screening protocols, entrance and exit criteria, progress monitoring, as well as curriculum development and implementation
- Deliver speech-language screening, evaluation and intervention services to students with identified disabilities as well as those receiving pre-referral support in a Kindergarten to second grade school
- Support a wide variety of students, including those with autism, phonological and articulation disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, developmental language disorders, fluency difficulties, social-pragmatic disorders, selective mutism, feeding disorders, and Down Syndrome
- Provide low and high tech augmentative communication resources for students to support a total communication environment
- Align therapy materials with classroom curricula and work closely with teachers and other specialists to ensure maximum generalization of skills gained during intervention services
- Deliver therapeutic intervention that is based upon thematic units centered around children’s interests in order to address diverse student goals, align with classroom curriculum, and improve outcomes
Clinical Supervisor
SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND HEARING CENTER SUNY NEW PALTZ
New Paltz, NY
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Mentored first semester graduate students as they developed and delivered intervention plans, assessments, report writing, and family communication skills
- Supervised graduate students during therapy sessions to ensure client success and student clinician development
Speech-Language Pathologist
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
Highland, NY
09.2005 - 08.2008
- Provided three to five year olds with disabilities mandated speech and language services within the preschool setting
- Worked in partnership with teachers to develop integrated communication intervention
- Trained by Dynavox in assistive technology evaluations for augmentative and alternative communication devices
- Created a home to school literacy program that provided families with books, activities, and materials that promote vocabulary and oral language development
Speech-Language Pathologist
PROFESSIONAL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE ASSOCIATES
Highland, NY
07.2002 - 08.2005
- Provided direct therapeutic intervention and support system education to help children thrive within their family structure
- Taught families strategies that can be used during every day routines to support child language development
Education
Certificate of Advanced Study - School District Leadership
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK NEW PALTZ
New Paltz, NY05.2026
Master’s of Science - Communication Disorders
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
San Francisco, CA12.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Geography, Environmental Resource Management
CLARK UNIVERSITY
Worcester, MA05.1994
Skills
- Google Suite
- Provide Professional Development based on Harvard School of Education’s Data Wise
- Previously Certified Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Vol 1 Local Facilitator
- Training in Orton Gillingham methodology
- Advanced Training in Selective Mutism
- Culturally responsive therapeutic practitioner
- Promote building-wide awareness of neurodiversity affirming practices
- Served on building level Equity Committee
- Participated in People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond Undoing Racism Workshop
- Presentation development
- Project management
- Interdepartmental collaboration
Accomplishments
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
- Achieved [Result] by introducing [Software] for [Type] tasks.
- Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
Certification
- [Area of expertise] License - [Timeframe]
- [Area of certification] Training - [Timeframe]
Timeline
Administrative Intern
New Paltz Central School District
05.2025 - Current
Clinical Supervisor
SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND HEARING CENTER SUNY NEW PALTZ
09.2023 - 12.2023
Speech-Language Pathologist
NEW PALTZ CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
09.2008 - Current
Speech-Language Pathologist
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
09.2005 - 08.2008
Speech-Language Pathologist
PROFESSIONAL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE ASSOCIATES
07.2002 - 08.2005
Master’s of Science - Communication Disorders
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - Geography, Environmental Resource Management
CLARK UNIVERSITY
Certificate of Advanced Study - School District Leadership
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK NEW PALTZ