Rachel Wells graduated with a bachelor’s in communications and sciences disorders from Augustana College in 2005 before earning a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Purdue University in 2007. Wells then began studying at Illinois State to receive a graduate certificate that prepared her to work with young children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Earning the certificate was only the beginning of Wells’ journey at Illinois State. She is now working toward a doctorate in special education after 12 years of experience working as a speech-language pathologist at Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School. In recognition of her research and dedication to Illinois State, Wells was awarded the Metcalf Research Grant Award. Reflecting on the emotions she felt when she received the award, Wells said, “I felt very encouraged! Doctoral work can be laborious and somewhat isolating at times. It was encouraging to feel like someone saw value in the work I am doing. This was an extra ‘nudge’ that I needed to stay the course!”
Thanks to the grant, Wells looks forward to continuing and expanding her research in parental support of children with hearing loss following an intervention.
“My study focuses on investigating the ability of parents to use therapeutic strategies to support communication development in children with hearing loss within their home environments following coaching sessions delivered by a speech-language pathologist over Zoom,” she explained.
Wells said the grant money will provide materials to participating families, and equip them with toy kits and video coaching to help aid in developing communication growth.
In a thank you to her donors, Wells said, “At times the field of education feels overworked and underappreciated. Donor support shows appreciation, buy-in, and support for the field of education. As someone who has dedicated their life’s work to this field, it is a wonderful feeling to know that others support this work and see value in the work that educators do.”
