Speech Pathologists & Audiologists in Louisiana Schools, Inc.
P.O. Box 12177
Lake Charles, LA 70612

SPALS 2008 Speaker Biographies

Li-Rong Lilly Cheng, PhD, CCC-SLP, is professor in the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at San Diego State University and the Executive Director of Chinese Study Institute. She is co-chair of Asian Task Force. Dr. Cheng serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Campanile Foundation of San Diego State University. She is the current chair of the Multicultural Issues Board for ASHA and the chair of Education the Committee for the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. She has written numerous books and journal articles and is on the editorial board of many major professional journals. Her latest book entitles “Communication Disorder across the Life Span” was published June of 2003.

Kathryn DeKemel-Ichikawa, PhD, CCC-SLP, has been a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) for twenty-two years in a variety of settings including public schools, Head Start, hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and private practice. She has taught in the university setting and conducted research in the areas of child language, literacy, and fluency disorders. She is currently employed as a SLP in St. Tammany Parish Public Schools.

Johnette Downing is a multi-award winning author and musician performing music and presenting books with Louisiana spice for children globally.  Dubbed the "Musical ambassador for Children" by clients and fans across the globe, Johnette is dedicated to cultural exchanges with children through her keynotes and educator workshops.  She has brought her Louisiana musical and literary gumbo to children worldwide.  Johnette's books and CDs have garnered 19 national awards.

Sharon Edwards, MEd., CCC-SLP, has a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and has worked in the area of assistive technology for 9 years. Before joining the Assistive Technology Center, Sharon worked for Ascension Parish School Board as the Assistive Technology Specialist. She has presented at numerous trainings and conferences on the local, regional and national levels. She has served as the AT facilitator for Region III Assistive Technology Center for the last 4 years.

Christina Gildersleeve-Neumann, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University in Oregon. Her areas of expertise are typical and disordered speech acquisition in children from birth to 6, with emphases on multilingual populations and motor-based treatment approaches for CAS.

Alison V. Huff, AuD, CCC-A, a native of New Iberia, obtained her B. A. in 2002 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and her clinical doctorate of Audiology at Louisiana Tech University in 2007. She has worked internships with the VA in Shreveport and several ENT clinics. After completing a year-long externship with Audiology Associates of Acadiana in May 2007, she joined the staff as a full time Audiologist.

Erica Lee, AuD, CCC-A, obtained her B.A. in 1991 at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and her M.S. at Florida State University in 1992. In 2004, she graduated from the University of Florida with her clinical doctorate in Audiology. She has worked internships with the VA in Miami and Orlando and is currently affiliated with Savoy Medical Center in Mamou, Doctor’s Hospital in Opelousas, and Crowley American Legion Hospital. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology. In 2000, she opened a private practice, Audiology Associates of Acadiana, and takes great pride in staffing it with the most qualified and professional Audiologists.

Stephen Mire, MS, CCC-SLP, is the speech-language pathology coordinator for Terrebonne Parish Schools. He has 26 years experience in public schools and has been active in workload and early intervening issues. He has designed an early intervening program for speech impairments and has presented on early intervening at local school districts as well as state association conferences.

Judy K. Montgomery, PhD, CCC-SLP, is professor of special education at Chapman University, Orange, CA. She is former president of ASHA, and the current Editor in Chief of Communication Disorders Quarterly. She is the author of many articles and 12 books on effective intervention in school-based speech and language services.

Shari Robertson, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Professor of speech-language pathology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to obtaining her doctorate at UW-Madison, she was a school-based SLP and special education supervisor for more than 16 years. Having presented more than 200 workshops and seminars over the past 5 years – including as an invited speaker to the ASHA schools conference and the ASHA national convention – she is dedicated to bridging the gap between researchers and practicing clinicians. Robertson is known for her highly-interactive, practical, and entertaining style.

Jeffery Simmons, CCC-A, is currently the Cochlear Implant Clinical Coordinator at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1996 and has practiced at BTNRH since that time. In addition to his clinical duties over the past 12 years at Boys Town, Jeff has been involved in research, publications, or presentations in the areas of pediatric amplification, otoacoustic emissions, oto-reflectance measurements, newborn hearing screening, cochlear implants, and auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony

Kristie Stapler, BS, Region 3 Assistive Technology Facilitator has a bachelor’s degree in Mild/Moderate Special Education and has worked in the area of education and technology for 21 years. She has concentrated on the area of assistive technology for the past 6 years. Kristie has participated in InTech, DiversiTEch, and UDL training as a participant and has presented at numerous conferences on the local, regional and national levels. Kristie has served as an AT facilitator for the Reion III Assistive Technology Center for the last 4 years.

Susan L. Stokes, MA, CCC-SLP, is the Autism Coordinator for Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 6. She has specialized in the area of autism spectrum disorder as both a speech/language pathologist and autism consultant for over 20 years. Susan has attended numerous national and international trainings and conferences relating to the field of autism as well as presented at many state and national workshops/conferences. Susan frequently provides trainings related to all aspects of ASD to various groups across the country. She received the Autism Society of Wisconsin’s 2003 state educator award for contributions in the area of “Autism Education and Awareness”. Susan is the author of Autism: Interventions and Strategies for Success, a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction publication including 6 articles regarding autism spectrum disorder available at: www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/autism/index2.htm