DR. KATE CURCIO, SLPD, CCC-SLP
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
BIOGRAPHY
I'm Kate Curcio, and I’m a school-based speech-language pathologist with 19 years of experience. I earned my undergraduate degree from The George Washington University in 2005 and my graduate degree from Long Island University in 2007. I began my clinical fellow year in a school district in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and quickly fell in love with the high school population after covering for 3 different SLPs on maternity leave in 3 different schools across the district. After that year, I applied for a full-time position at Darien High School and have been there ever since. As a member of the DHS faculty, I collaborate with colleagues to best support the speech and language needs of my students. I also serve as the vice president of our teachers' union the Darien Education Association and as the special education advisor of the DHS chapter of Best Buddies. In 2021, I enrolled in the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) program at Northwestern University and began exploring different aspects of the field of speech-language pathology.
Throughout my career, I have specialized in adolescent language and transition for high school students who desire a pursuit of post-secondary education and vocational opportunities. I'm a fierce advocate for the needs of my students and a source of support as they navigate the journey from high school to what lies ahead. When not working at DHS, I volunteer with the Connecticut Chapter of the ALS Association and support faculty rights through the Darien Education Association. I believe that supported faculty develop strong students. I have also taken on numerous leadership opportunities throughout my career including graduate student supervision, program development, operations, and quality/process improvement initiatives. I am a champion of collaborative education and believe that the best way to support students is to work with the whole team to educate them.
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EDUCATION
2021-2023
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Clinical Doctorate Degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD)
2005-2007
Long Island University
Brookville, NY
Master of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology (M.A.)
2001-2005
The George Washington University
Washington, DC
Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech & Hearing Science (B.A.)
Minor in Art History
2022
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Lean Practitioner for Healthcare
(Training & Certification)
PURPOSE
STATEMENT
My purpose in my work at Darien High School is to empower my students and colleagues to advocate for themselves so that they can continue on a journey of enjoyable learning and effective communication.
I will conduct myself in a manner that will drive this purpose by upholding my belief that communication is a basic human right and that students, no matter their background are entitled to a robust, safe, and appropriate educational experience that affords them the skills necessary to contribute to the communities that they become a part of.
I will lead in a manner that celebrates individuals and the gifts that they have so that my students and colleagues will be able to effectively communicate who they are and what they bring to the learning experience. I will understand who I am and keep in mind the strengths and weaknesses I bring to the environments in which I hold space so that I can reflectively allow my students and colleagues to do the same. Ultimately, they all will communicate in ways that lead to them being vibrant beneficial members of our high school community and continue that work into the communities that they transition to as they leave Darien High School and venture into the world.
