TOWAMENCIN – As we recognize the newer motivating teachers at NPHS, it is easy to see we are lucky to have Kerry Byrnes on our team. She attended State University of New York (S.U.N.Y), Geneseo and has now been a speech pathologist for 15 years. However, there was little down time for Byrnes before getting the job here at North Penn. Shortly after moving from Buffalo to PA she accepted her position at NPHS a mere week before school started.

“The minute I walked out of the interview I felt comfortable. Everyone [staff and teachers] was here to do their best for students,” Byrnes said in regards to getting the job.

Byrnes’ story behind her career has also pushed her in the direction she’s in today. Her cousin, who was born with Down syndrome, had inspired her to work with kids who have learning disabilities. While he was still at young age, she had observed a team of people helping him work on his speech. She has seen his continuous progress and achievements ever since.

Byrnes excitedly tells me, “He asked for an application at Wawa and went for the interview.” She ascribes that his self-confidence and ability to communicate well is from his improvement with speech.

Today, most tend to think that speech pathologists only help individuals with sounding out words. However, Byrnes confirms that it is a “common misperception” made by people. Students that take speech are not always on the same boat. Every student has different goals and areas of difficulty. For example, students taking speech could be getting help with things like vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension or sometimes social skills.

Byrnes claims that getting to know her students is the most essential and most enjoyable part of her job. According to Byrnes, patience is key when helping her students.

“To be effective enough to make a difference [with students] you have to be patient.”

Byrnes aspires to see her students do great things someday. “[I want to] ultimately have them feel successful with communication and develop self-esteem with their area of need,” Byrnes says. Once her students leave NPHS, she counts on them being “successful, productive members of the community. [I want them] to be the best that they can be.”

It is obvious to me that her positive words and sprightly personality show she really enjoys her job here at North Penn High School. If you are lucky enough to have her as a speech teacher, her motivating spirit can definitely impact not only the way you communicate, but also fill you with a feeling of great achievement.