The Story Behind What We Do
I’m Mattie Murrey-Tegels, the founder and SLP behind Fresh SLP. I’ve been “in-the-trenches” as a medical SLP for over 25 years now and love my job! I am thrilled to be adding this dream of a website as the cherry on top because paying my experiences forward is something I am very passionate about. If you ask my patients and students one thing they will remember about me, they will tell you how much I love my job!
To help you get to know me, here’s a little bit of my story: Before I was an SLP, I was a technical writer for a financial company that hired IBM to create computer programs. My job was to work with the computer programmers, understand the difficult programs that they were creating, conceptualize the big picture, then turn around and write about it in simple terms so those on the front financial line could comprehend and implement those programs effectively.
After being a technical writer for 3 years, I went to visit my older sister, who was just finishing her day as a medical SLP. Although I enjoyed what I was doing as a writer, I remember always being so tired and wanting to nap during the day. I would get so sleepy and bored! Her job did not look boring--it looked rewarding! So, long story short, I returned to school for my master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Now, thanks to that one visit, I’ve had a great career, working for over 25 years around the world (mostly in the US) with adult and pediatric patients in a variety of medical settings.
Recently, I stepped into the academic world and became an Assistant Professor, Clinical Supervisor, and Interim Clinical Director for an accredited CSD graduate program. I fell in love with teaching, and the students I work with, and knew I must expand my impact. With Fresh SLP I get to enjoy mentoring not only my university students but also those I meet from around the world virtually.
I feel so proud of my students when I see that light-bulb moment and hear those “Ah-ha’s”. I love it so much that I have created a podcast and membership where I answer those “Hey, Professor!” questions, connecting those missing links you’ve had since graduate school. Have you ever wanted to go back to grad school and ask your professor? Now you can!
As a certified speaker for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), I strive to create a well-rounded hard-skill and soft-skill focus on what we as SLPs do in the world. Because our own health is so vital to being able to serve others as an SLP, you will find threads of resiliency and mental wellness woven throughout all my work. Be it podcasts, blogs, mentorship, or material development, I see the big picture and bring the smaller pieces into focus.
Empowering new and transitioning SLPs and audiologists to step into the careers that they passionately dreamed about when they first decided on graduate school just lights me up. Each one of the graduate students, SLPs and audiologists that I have talked with have a story on why they want to do what they do! They want to make a difference in the world and I want to help them navigate their journey so they can live their career dream and leave their own legacy.
Whether it be through concept-driven and engaging therapy materials, the creation of a strong Fresh SLP community, or simply meeting your needs individually, Fresh SLP is here for you. Fresh SLP is my legacy, it is me giving back to a career that has so richly rewarded me.
Thank you for being here,
Mattie Murrey-Tegels
Why Fresh SLP
Because Fresh SLP is different. Fresh SLP is all about YOU and supporting you in being the best SLP you can be. We focus not only on the technical parts of being an SLP but also on the ART of being an SLP. Here we tie critical thinking, common sense, mental wellness and passion into one cohesive bundle, supporting you in being the best SLP you can be. Fresh SLP is not just a slogan, it’s a way of thinking. It’s you.
- You are ready to begin a career you’ve worked hard for
- You want to do your best
- You want to be prepared
- You don’t want to harm anyone you work with
- You don’t want to panic
- You want to have a place to find reliable answers
- You want someone to tell be real and honest with you
- You want to remove any roadblocks you may have
- You want to have a focused career, doing what you love
- And much more!