Speech-Language Pathologist

Liz grew up in the Palos Heights area where she started working her first job as a swim instructor. She fell in love with teaching swimming lessons that she continued doing it for the next 8 summers. Little did she know, the lessons she learned during her seasonal job would come in handy several years later. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Xavier University and earned her master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Governors State University. She is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She enjoys staying active, traveling, being outside, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite part is the opportunity to work with amazing families. She is very grateful to be a part of the Swim Learn Play team!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Hannah graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Masters of Speech Language Pathology in Spring of 2023 where she also attended undergraduate and received her bachelor’s in 2021. Hannah currently services middle school aged children as a Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow, in the public school system. Through graduate school clinical work, Hannah received experience working with a diverse population of individuals of all ages with a variety of delays and disorders. Hannah also worked as a lifeguard and taught swim lessons to children ages 3-18. She cannot wait to share her love for swimming and communication with swimmers through Swim Learn Play.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Natalie grew up in Oak Lawn. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Masters of Speech-Language Pathology in 2022. Natalie currently services elementary aged children as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. Natalie has experience working with a variety of delays including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities, apraxia, phonological and articulation delays, and expressive and receptive language disorders. She also grew up working as a lifeguard and teaching swim lessons. Natalie enjoys swimming, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She is passionate about water safety and helping kids gain more access to communication. She is excited to combine her love of water and speech therapy with Swim Learn Play!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Aparna graduated from Boston University with a Master's of Speech Language Pathology in the Spring of 2022 after receiving a combined BS/MS in Psychology/Neuroscience at Wake Forest University in 2020. Aparna currently serves school-age children with severe-profound communication disorders as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Illinois Medical District. Throughout her clinical experience, Aparna has worked with children with expressive and receptive language disorders, speech sound disorders, social-communication disorders, fluency disorders, and cognitive-communication disorders. In her free time, Aparna loves baking, dancing, swimming, and taking long walks around the city. She is excited to join Swim Learn Play and help children gain essential communication skills surrounding water safety awareness!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Margaret is a Chicago-based Speech Language Pathologist born and raised on the southside of the city. She received her B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018 and then her M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Xavier University in 2020. Margaret primarily works in long-term and subacute care settings servicing adults with cognitive-communicative and swallowing needs, however holds interest and experience working with children with social and pragmatic language needs. She also has experience working with neurodivergent children and teens within both outpatient clinical settings and high school settings across the continuum of service levels. Margaret is so excited to join Swim Learn Play and help children increase their functional communication skills in a fun and enjoyable way!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Sara Vickery is a pediatric Chicagoland area Speech Language Pathologist. She attended Saint Xavier University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. She has worked with a variety of children with an array of needs but have really developed a passion for working with neurodivergent children especially on building language skills and utilizing AAC devices. She loves her profession and servicing clients and really believes in the power of structured play and adapting sessions to the child’s interests or needs in that moment.

Social Media Manager

As a speech language pathologist, Elizabeth uniquely understands our therapeutic approach and enjoys communicating insights and information in a creative lens for families and connected audiences. Elizabeth has a particular passion for working with young children and collaborating with caregivers to share communication strategies and insights.

In her free time, Elizabeth likes to read at the beach, attempt new DIY projects, and cheer on the Fighting Illini with her family and friends.

Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Science, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Master’s in Speech, Language, and Learning, Northwestern University

Licensed to practice in the state of Illinois

Program Coordinator

Kathy Hofer is a licensed speech language pathologist in the Chicagoland area. She has a Master’s degree from Northwestern University. She has 30 years of experience working in the acute care setting with patients who suffered strokes, TBI’s, aphasia, dementia, dysphagia, etc. She is specialized in patient-centered/family-centered therapy, ensuring effective communication between families and staff. After retiring from acute care services, she is taking the role of program coordinator for Swim Learn Play. Kathy loves to spend time with her family, traveling, and reading! She is excited to be part of the team!

Finance Manager

David Head is the financial manager of Swim Learn Play. He has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of North Carolina. He is proficient in google excel, doc, forms, etc. He resides in Roscoe Village, Chicago, with his wife and dog. He enjoys all things Tarheels, traveling, and playing sports!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Elizabeth is a speech pathologist from Oak Lawn, IL and got her Bachelors Degree Mary's College, Notre Dame in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Minor in Early Childhood Education - 2019. Then, her Masters Degree at Saint Xavier University in Speech Language Pathology - 2021. She loves working on different language and executive functioning skills and is so excited to bring it into a whole new environment. Some things she likes to do in her spare time is try new foods/restaurants and spend time with her friends and family. She loves speech therapy and is excited to connect with the new students and families!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Meg is a speech-language pathologist from Pittsburgh, PA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy in Communication Science and Disorders, and Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology, all from the University of Pittsburgh. Meg has experience working with all types of communication disorders. She enjoys taking a play-based and child-led approach to therapy. Her passion for swimming is strong. Meg has swam competitively throughout her life. In addition, she has worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. In her free time, Meg has slightly too many hobbies (just kidding, there’s no such thing!). Meg enjoys running outdoors, bouldering, painting, baking, traveling, or attending a yoga class. Meg is very excited to integrate her love for speech-language pathology and swimming to help each child grow.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Jess is a speech-language pathologist from Naperville, IL. Jess received her Bachelor's Degree and Masters Degree from the University of Illinois in 2017. She enjoys incorporating her client’s interests into therapy sessions to make them motivating and engaging! For the past 7+ years, Jess has worked with young children with varying communication skills and learned how important having child-led sessions are for expressive, receptive and pragmatic language growth. Additionally, she has experience with fluency, articulation/motor-speech, and AAC. In her free time, you can find Jess running, taking yoga classes, or reading! She cannot wait to help more children develop their communication skills while having FUN with Swim Learn Play!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Alyssa is a Speech-Language Pathologist rom Oak Lawn, IL and grew up swimming competitively. Her first job was being a swim instructor for adults and children ranging from ages 3 mos-40 years, so it all comes around full circle working for Swim Learn Play! She also worked for a special recreation summer camp where she assisted adults and children ranging from ages 8-30 years with various physical and intellectual disabilities. She works in the public school system serving K-5 general and special education students. She has gained experience working with a diverse population of bilingual adults and children with a wide range of disorder and delays in both school and medical settings. She loves to go on outdoor walks and runs, listen to music, read, and shop at thrift stores and vintage shops!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Grace received her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (2022), where she double majored in Psychology & Communication Sciences and Disorders. She recently graduated with her Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology from Lewis University and is currently completing her Clinical Fellowship (CF) at an outpatient pediatric clinic. She has a variety of experience working with the neurodivergent population, including her clinical work in graduate school and 5 years spent working as a Behavior Technician at a pediatric Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic. Grace strives to put her best effort & energy into all that she does. She aims to provide the highest quality services possible while making therapy fun & enjoyable! Grace is so excited to be a part of the Swim Learn Play team; she is looking forward to working with and getting to know all her future swimmers & their families!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Elyse attended Ball State University for her undergraduate degree and Illinois State for her masters. During her sophomore year of college, she taught English for a few weeks in Thailand. She has clinical experience working with individuals of ages ranging from 1 to 70 years old. She currently works full-time in elementary schools in the Chicago suburbs and lives in Lakeview. Elyse has a passion for working with individuals who utilize Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and has experience as a swimmer, lifeguard, and swim instructor. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming, holistic therapy environment where she partners with the participant. Her "loves" include yoga, reading, traveling, and chocolate. She is so excited to join the team!