From Burned Out to Re-Energized: Finding Purpose Through School Contracting as an SLP

Course Number: ABIO2602

When: Recorded playback is available between February 18, 2026 – February 18, 2031.

Where: Available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: In this course, we explore why burnout is rising among school-based SLPs and how school contracting can offer greater autonomy, flexibility, and alignment with professional values. Participants learn how contracting differs from district employment and how it can be used strategically either as a career pivot or a sustainable secondary revenue source within a private practice.

Who This Course Is Good For:

• Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professionals that are licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology or preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
• Clinicians exploring school contracting as an alternative or supplement to traditional employment
• Private practice owners interested in using school contracts strategically for stability and alignment
• SLPs seeking more autonomy, clearer boundaries, and flexibility in their work

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

• Any professional who does not currently work in the field providing treatment or plans to in the near future.
• Professionals who are looking to work for another company or in a medical or school setting.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Elise Mitchell, M.S., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Elise Mitchell, M.S. CCC-SLP graduated from Missouri State University in 2013 and quickly entered the world of schools by working for virtual staffing companies for six years as an SLP, school sales person, and as a manager. After years of working with virtual services and provider management, Elise stepped away from the school staffing industry as she found herself suffering from burnout and low job satisfaction. However, shortly after stepping away, an opportunity to directly contract with a school fell into her lap, and Elise discovered that she loved working WITH schools but not FOR them (or anyone else).

In 2019, Elise founded The Therapist Support Network with the goal of providing school SLP, OT, and PT contractors with materials, community, and support. She’s the creator of “The School Contractor Packet”, “School Contractor Training”, and “The School Staffing Packet and Training”, three resources created to simplify the process of contracting for individual contractors and/or therapist-run small businesses.

When she’s not contracting or coaching, Elise is spending time with her family on their little farm in Missouri!

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series. Venita is a member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Elise Mitchell has the following relevant relationships to disclose: Financial-owner of The Therapist Support Network. Elise is a member of ASHA.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

• Identify at least 2 key factors contributing to burnout among school-based SLPs and describe how school contracting differs from traditional district employment models.
• Describe 2 ways school contracting can support clinician autonomy, flexibility, and renewed connection to core professional values.
• Define 2 characteristics of using school contracting as a strategic side-gig within a private practice rather than as an added workload.
• Identify 2 realistic first steps for SLPs who feel professionally stuck and are exploring school contracting as a potential career option.

Agenda

5 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
10 min	Understanding SLP burnout
15 min	How contracting can help
15 min	Adding value to your private practice with school contracting
10 min	Realistic first steps to school contracting
5 min	Closing, Discussion, and Questions

Complaint Policy

To file a complaint or ask general questions about the complaint filing process, please contact our support team at info@tasseltogether.com

Refund Policy

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Requirements