About Speech Connections

By Speech-Language Pathologists, for Speech-Language Pathologists

Our Story

Speech Connections was founded in 2005 and is owned and operated by ASHA certified speech-language pathologists who have over 18 years experience in the school setting. We felt that our placement was lacking the support and validation we were seeking. We decided to build a company that would foster a positive work environment, where our team members feel supported and valued.

We offer contract services only in the state of Washington, allowing us to maintain the ability to have personal contact with our employees and clients as needed. We see the importance of living and working in our local markets so that we’re present and prepared when you need us. We take pride in offering clients highly qualified therapists who provide effective services with integrity. We are excited about our company and proud of the work we do.

Speech Connections is more than an employer. They are an extension of your family and they go out of their way to treat you as such. Sarah and Tera provided me with exceptional mentoring throughout my CF experience, a sense of support and advocacy, spa days (yes, ladies! Spa days!), reimbursement for certification/licensure, funding for therapy materials and professional development, case study opportunities, and collaboration. Through being a part of the Speech Connections team, I have gained life-long friends and a support system I can call on when needed. They have played a huge role in my professional career and I would highly recommend them to both new and veteran professionals who are seeking an employment experience that goes beyond the traditional scope. Faye Moore

Speech-Language Pathologist

Meet the Owners

Sarah Skagen

MA, CCC-SLP

Sarah graduated in 2000 with her Master’s of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Washington University. She enjoys working as an SLP in the school setting with elementary-aged students. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, boating, reading, taking walks, and being a Young Life leader. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two children.

Tera Wheatley

MS, CCC-SLP

Tera graduated in 2000 with her Master’s of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Eastern Washington University. She enjoys working as an SLP in the school setting with elementary aged students and mentoring new CFY employees. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, traveling, dancing, roller blading, scrapbooking and reading. She lives in the Wenatchee area with her husband and two daughters.

Read about Sarah's journey

I’ve been passionate about helping children with speech and language disabilities since high school. My mom was the developmental preschool teacher for the school district in my hometown. During my junior and senior year of high school, I enrolled in a career class that allowed me to go into my mom’s classroom every day and work with her students. It was there that I was able to observe the Speech-Language Pathologist and see how she helped students communicate. It didn’t take long to realize I had found my calling.

After high school, I attended Western Washington University for my undergraduate and graduate work. Shortly after graduation in 2000, I accepted my first job in a school district south of Seattle. I loved working with my students, their parents, and my colleagues. And I loved the school setting.

I currently live in Western Washington with my husband, two children, and our black lab, Sugar. When I’m not working as an SLP in a local district or co-managing Speech Connections you can find me with my family traveling (Disneyland is our favorite!), boating, and enjoying the outdoors or curled up with a book, at a concert with a friend, or trying out something I found on Pinterest.

I think back to that girl who, at 17, fell in love with the idea of helping kids communicate and am so grateful for the path she chose. Being an SLP in the school setting can be challenging but, for me, the reward of giving students a voice and confidence to communicate is worth every struggle. I am grateful that Speech Connections has given me the opportunity to share my knowledge, passion, and love of people with other SLPs while providing districts with high quality (and overall awesome) SLPs.

Read about Tera's journey

Although I’ve been an SLP since 2000, my career path was not as clear to me in the beginning. After becoming disenchanted with Sports Medicine, a good friend had encouraged me to take a look at Communication Disorders. I immediately fell in love with the science behind Speech-Language Pathology and the idea of serving others in a clinical sense. I was especially intrigued by the vastly different settings and ages in which a Speech-Language Pathologist can work. After gaining experience in all therapy settings and with all ages, the school environment captured my heart.

I love kids and love watching them grow, learn, and succeed! Soon after I graduated from Eastern Washington University, I married my husband Jeremy and we both landed jobs in school districts in southern King County. As Sarah mentioned, it wasn’t long before she and I saw a better way of supporting ourselves professionally and provide high level of therapeutic services to kids in need.

Speech Connections is a labor of love and the school setting continues to be a great fit for me and my family. When I’m not creating therapy materials or researching ideas for my students, you can find me as a taxi driver for my two daughters going to and from dance and soccer.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family & friends, traveling, crafting, bike riding, paddle boarding, and reading. I feel very blessed to have found such a rewarding and challenging career as an SLP. I love that I have the opportunity through Speech Connections to share my experiences and to help other SLP’s succeed in the school setting.