Amy Smith joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2006. Not every career provides an opportunity to work with one’s heroes on a day-to-day basis, but for Amy Smith serving as speech-language pathologist provides such an opportunity. Amy fondly shares, “Children with disabilities and their parents are my heroes!”

Amy received her Master’s in Communication Disorders from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. During her tenure at Children's Therapy TEAM she has served in varied capacities including referral therapist and mentor therapist.

In addition to Amy’s work with children in Northwest Arkansas, she has international experience with assessing and treating children with disabilities in Ukraine and China through TEAMworks International Outreach. She has received additional training professional in PECS, introduction to Early Start Denver Model, LAMP, and Beckman Oral Motor Protocol among other trainings.

Amy enjoys time with her family and friends, reading, baking, and traveling.

Angela Kremers holds a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Arkansas. She initially joined the Children’s Therapy TEAM family in 2020 as a graduate student intern before beginning her professional career as a licensed therapist.

With a keen clinical interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), Angela has received training in Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP). Under the supervision of Children’s Therapy TEAM’s AAC Program Director, Lindsey Lobdell, CCC-SLP, Angela further honed her AAC methodology.

Angela also draws on her past pediatric work and educational experiences. As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), she implemented ABA interventions to improve communication skills, develop appropriate social skills, and enhance children’s ability to perform daily living skills with increased independence. Additionally, Angela worked under the supervision of Rachel Glade, Ph.D., at the University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic to provide evidence-based aural rehabilitation interventions.

Outside of devoting time to her profession and serving patients, Angela enjoys crafting, building furniture, and spending time outdoors in our beautiful state.

Carmen Shumpert received her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville before joining the TEAM family in 2006. In addition to providing therapy, Carmen serves as an Administrative Liaison, Education Coordinator for Speech Therapy Students, and Resource Manager for the Fayetteville Speech-Language Pathology Department.

Carmen shares, “I love ‘my’ kids and their families, and I love my job!” Working with several children with special needs who were adopted from Ukraine inspired Carmen to join TEAMworks International Outreach. Through TEAMworks she has gained international experience with assessment and treatment of children with special needs in Ukraine and China.

Carmen has an Italian Greyhound, Sadie, who enjoys napping and being the baby of the family. Carmen is happily married and is often entertained by her son Zachary who excels as an artist and musician.

Carmen has received additional training in Kaufman Speech to Language Protocols, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention and PECS.

Cindy Watson serves as Chief Experience Officer at Children's TEAM and has served as a pediatric speech-language pathologist for over 25 years. She considers helping kids communicate to be one of her greatest passions in life. One of her many roles at Children’s Therapy TEAM is offering family support and ensuring that each family has an excellent experience.

In addition to her work with the Children's TEAM family of providers, she also serves as an instructor at the University of Arkansas with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is an active member of the Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Cindy holds a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma (1995). She is a past Parent Adviser for the Arkansas School for the Deaf (2002-2008). Cindy works diligently to sustain TEAM’s philanthropic outreach in Northwest Arkansas and internationally through her dedicated volunteerism with the TEAMworks non-profit.

Cindy is certified in Interactive Metronome, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Food Chaining, and Arkansas School of the Deaf Sky-Hi Trained.

Cindy enjoys spending time with her family. They are active members of Cross Church.

Claire Todd joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2022 as a Clinical Fellow. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Recognized by UAMS faculty as a Rising Star Clinician (2021), Claire continues to excel in the field. She earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2023.  

Before Claire’s graduate work, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders at the University of Arkansas. She also spent several years working in autism care. Claire draws on her past experience as a behavior technician when working with autistic clients.  

Focus on Pediatric

Claire shares that she always knew that she wanted to work with children. Once she discovered the field of speech-language pathology she says, “It was the perfect fit!” As a licensed therapist she appreciates opportunities to work with children of all ages as well as varied diagnoses.

Combining clinical science with innovation, Claire uses her creative ingenuity to come up with fun and unique ways to target therapy goals. She regularly utilizes sensory bins in her sessions to better engage her clients. 

Personal Insights for Claire Todd

Claire sees her work as a calling in which she can make an impact on the lives of the children and families she serves. When not at work Claire enjoys working out, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Connie Clark joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2011. She received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1997 before returning to Northwest Arkansas where she is a native to Fayetteville. Connie particularly loves seeing kids progress in the area of feeding and swallowing and enjoys working with families to help make that happen. She has both local and international treatment experience having served as a TEAMworks Therapist in Ukraine. When not working Connie enjoys cooking out with her family.

Connie describes feeding and swallowing treatment as one of her greatest passions in life. Connie is certified in Pediatric VitalStim, she has received Beckman Oral Motor Training, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training and the SOS Approach Food Chaining Training.

Many young people struggle with honing in on their career path before and also during college. This was not the case with Hayley Franklin. As a senior in high school, Hayley decided she wanted to become a pediatric therapist after her cousin was born prematurely. The rest, as they say, is history!

Hayley went on to earn a Master's in Communication Disorders from Arkansas State University (2012). She joined Children’sTherapy TEAM in 2016 and is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association Special Interest Group for Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders.

Hayley is not a stranger to Northwest Arkansas. She completed her B.S. in Education while minoring in Psychology and Human Development at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2011. She liked the region so much that she committed herself to returning to Northwest Arkansas when she began her post-graduate professional work.

Prior to joining the Children’s Therapy TEAM family, Hayley worked for three years at the Elizabeth Richardson Center. There she served children from birth to five years old while also trained staff on dysphagia precautions and speech-language compensation strategies.

Hayley has received additional continuing education in Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, Pediatric Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Studies, Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding, Problem Solving Treatment Process for Oral Motor, Sensory, and Behavioral Feeding Disorders, Picture Exchange Communication System (P.E.C.S.) Advanced Level and training in working with preschoolers who stutter.

When not working, some of Hayley’s favorite pastimes include cheering on the Razorbacks, reading, crafting, and spending time outdoors.

Holland Gazaway initially joined Children's Therapy TEAM's Speech Therapy Department in 2018. She later transitioned from clinic-based services to school-based services at The Grace School, a member of the Children's TEAM family of providers.

At the heart of Holland Gazaway’s approach to pediatric speech-language pathology is her unyielding belief that every child is a unique individual. She aims to show each child and family respect, compassion, and undivided, personalized attention.

Holland Gazaway grew up in a family of educators in a small town in Southwest Arkansas called Foreman. When her mother, a reading specialist, suggested speech-language pathology as a career path, Holland’s interest was initially piqued.

At the University of Arkansas, Holland earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders with a minor in Child Development (2014). She went on to gain a vast array of clinical experiences serving children at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Listening Center and in school-based and clinic-based settings.

At the Timber Ridge NeuroRestorative Ranch, Holland evaluated clients with traumatic brain injuries. She also provided treatment for individuals with difficulties with memory and reading comprehension.

While pursuing graduate studies at the University of Central Arkansas Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, Holland Gazaway served as a research assistant to Dr. Jing Yang. She assisted with research focused on speech development of monolingual and bilingual children. She later earned a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (2016).

When not working, Holland enjoys warm days outside… fishing, hiking, canoeing, and exploring with her husband. She also appreciates opportunities to watch shows and movies, read, and spend time with friends and family.

Jennifer Araujo initially joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2015. She serves as Hispanic Family Advocate, Children's Therapy T.E.A.M. Jennifer realized her calling in the field of Pediatric Speech/Language Pathology while working with a local non-profit, Ozark Guidance Center. There, while working with children who had been abused or neglected, she was frequently reminded of how basic communication is to life.

Jennifer shares, “I loved giving the children a warm hug and teaching appropriate interactions with their peers and elders. I helped them use communication to establish friendships and boundaries.” Additionally, spending time with her cousin in El Salvador made her career path even clearer. Jennifer notes, “My cousin is so dear to my heart and has lived through years of struggle with a communication disorder known as Selective Mutism.” With such experiences lighting her path, Jennifer began her Master’s degree studies in Communication Disorders in 2013.

As a Speech Therapist, Jennifer draws heavily on her background in Psychology and Spanish (B.A. Psychology/Spanish, University of Arkansas) as well as her Master’s level fieldwork training. A highlight of Jennifer’s Master’s training was her internship at none other than Children’s Therapy TEAM. She says, “My passion for working with children was reignited. I was blessed with the opportunity to have a daily adventure in which I had the joy of working with my favorite superheroes.” In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her dogs, reading, creative writing, hiking, and making crafts.

Jessica Hamilton is a veteran speech-language pathologist with well over a decade of experience in pediatrics. Having initially joined the Children’s Therapy TEAM family in 2008, she later relocated to Austin, Texas. There she worked at Dell Children’s Hospital as well as at several outpatient pediatric clinic settings.

When Jessica decided to return home to Northwest Arkansas in 2018, she embraced the opportunity to reconnect with Children’s Therapy TEAM. She shares, “I have always valued the culture of the clinic and the people at Children’s Therapy TEAM.”

Jessica holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders (2005, University of Arkansas) and brings with her extensive experience with evaluation and treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders. She is a VitalStim pediatric therapy provider and has attended numerous workshops and trainings related to clinical treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders.

Trainings that have greatly influenced Jessica’s treatment approach to feeding and swallowing disorders include: Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S) Approach to Feeding, Physiology and Analysis of Pediatric Swallow Studies with Catherine Shaker, Food Chaining with Fraker and Walbert, and Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT).

While at Dell Children’s Hospital Jessica completed Modified Barium Swallow Studies and closely collaborated with GI specialists, registered dietitians, and nurses. In addition to completing bedside swallow evaluations and treatment, Jessica also worked with children providing outpatient evaluation of and treatment for oral sensory aversions and medically complex dysphagia cases.

In addition to her significant training and experience in treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders, Jessica has also received training in the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, Augmentative and Alternative Communication supports through LAMP to Work training for promoting development of communication, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and The Alert Program for Self-Regulation.

As a Northwest Arkansas native, Jessica is happy to call the region home. When not working, Jessica enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

Jill Goodwin graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Minor in Spanish. She went on to obtain a Master of Science Degree from Baylor University in 2005 and received her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Jill served as a speech therapist with Fayetteville and Bentonville Public Schools for six years before joining the TEAM family in 2009.

Jill feels privileged to work with children to help improve their speech/language skills. She has a wide range of assessment competencies for evaluation of articulation, language, fluency, tongue thrust and pragmatic disorders. Jill serves as a volunteer with Miracle League of NWA and is integrally involved with weekly Bible studies at her church. She and her husband are happily married with two young children. She notes, “I love the Lord, my family, my job here at TEAM and Razorback Baseball!”

Jill remains committed to staying up to date with the latest research and approaches in the ever-evolving world of speech pathology. She has received advanced training in Interactive Metronome, Level 1 PECS, Assistive Technology, and other related areas.

Katherine Vaughn joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2022. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Baylor University. Katherine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in psychology from Ouachita Baptist University. 

During Katherine’s studies in communication disorders, she served as a peer instructor for therapy placements and treasurer of her school’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). As an engaged leader in her graduate program, Katherine served as clinical coordinator for graduate work study and was selected to represent Baylor University at the Praxis Bowl at the Texas Speech-Hearing Association Annual Conference.

As a licensed clinician, Katherine draws on experience gained at the Baylor University Speech Language & Hearing Clinic in Waco, Texas. There she planned and facility therapy sessions for school-age clients with expressive/receptive language delays, disorders of reading and writing, and dyslexia. She also served preschool-aged children with speech sound disorders, expressive/receptive language delays, and motor delays.

Approach to Care

Katherine loves getting to know the children and families she serves. She enjoys meeting families and learning how skills worked in therapy, like language, articulation, and fluency, impact the daily rhythms of family life.  

She shares, “I really enjoy when families keep me updated on the little things, whether it is something small the client has started to do like waving hello or something big like stringing 2-3 word phrases together.” Katherine sees the collaboration between the therapist and family to be an important part of the therapy. This includes celebrating every stage of progress together. 

Personal Insights

When not working you might find Katherine reading a book with a cup of coffee. Katherine enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She likes taking care of her plants and baking. She credits her faith with providing the ultimate comfort, patience, and peace in her life.

Katie Dankelson joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2022. She holds a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Missouri State University. 

Katie draws on several years of experience working in early childhood education settings prior to joining Children’s Therapy TEAM. Now as a licensed speech-language pathologist, in addition to Katie’s outpatient clinical work she also loves treating clients in childcare and preschool settings.

Katie’s approach to care is grounded in collaboration. She loves fostering a strong therapist-client relationship. Katie sees this as foundational to helping clients overcome adversity and find their voice. She also appreciates opportunities for supporting her clients by working alongside therapists in other disciplines. 

Personal Insights

Katie shares that she has always loved working with children. She notes that the positive, fun pediatric environment at Children’s Therapy TEAM is a perfect fit for kids… and her! Seeing her work as a calling, Katie shares that she loves “coming to work everyday and getting to show the love of Jesus.” 

When not working Katie enjoys getting coffee, shopping, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Dedicated to her local Siloam Springs community, Kaylee Hartman was thrilled to join Children’s Therapy TEAM’s Siloam Springs Clinic in 2023. 

Kaylee earned a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas (2017). Before joining the Children’s TEAM family of providers Kylee completed a Clinical Fellowship at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa focusing on Acute Care. 

Before becoming a licensed clinician, Kaylee worked with children in home, education, and hospital settings.  She pivoted from acute care to pediatrics in her clinical work in 2021. Kaylee seeks to follow evidence-based approaches to treatment. She prioritizes building a connection with the client she is treating. 

As a foster parent herself, Kaylee Hartman has received training in trauma-informed care. She considers this training and experience to be extremely beneficial in her everyday clinical work with children, adolescents, and families.

Kaylee Hartman has received the following training, certifications, and honors:

• MBSImp Certified
• PECS Level 1
• Advanced Pediatric Feeding and Mentorship Group
• Kaufman CAS Assessment and Treatment
• Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Courses
• ASHA Awards for Continuing Education (ACE) 2021 and 2023

When not working, Kaylee enjoys reading, cooking, baking, and all things espresso!

Kimberly Nottenkamper joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2011. Even as a young child, Kimberly’s giftedness for connecting with individuals with disabilities was evident. When Kimberly’s sister received the correct diagnosis and treatment, her ability to communicate soared. This personal family journey led Kimberly to become a Speech-Language Pathologist, receiving her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas in 2009. As a therapist, Kimberly enjoys the challenge of working with children with various diagnoses. When not providing therapy, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her family, working out, watching movies, and organizing!

Kimberly has received extensive training in supporting literacy and executive functioning. She is certified in PECS (Level 1) and has received training in Beckman Oral Motor Methodologies and Food Chaining.

Kristen Keen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northeastern State University with a Master of Speech-Language Pathology. She initially joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2020 as a Registered Behavior Technician before earning her credential as a licensed speech-language pathologist. Kristen earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders with a minor in Human Development & Family Science from the University of Arkansas (2021).

Kristen has experience treating clients with varied diagnoses as well as those from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. She has treated clients with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Apraxia of speech, Phonological and Fluency Disorders, and others. 

Kristen enjoys hands-on work with her clients. She shares, “I never have a slow day with this job which keeps it fun and exciting.” She values opportunities to build connections with the children and families. Kristen notes she has always loved working with children because of their outlook on life and how working with them becomes shaped to look like play.

When not working Kristen enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying new restaurants. 

At home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Kristy Burnett joined Children’s Therapy TEAM’s Siloam Springs Clinic in 2017. She shares, “I love the town and the community,” so treating children close to home is a natural fit!

Kristy is a veteran speech-language pathologist with over a decade of experience, primarily in pediatrics. She holds an M.S. in speech-language pathology from the University of Central Arkansas. In addition, Kristy has taken several specialized courses in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment, and neurogenics.

With two young children, Kristy and her husband are actively engaged in the Siloam Springs Community. When Kristy has free time, she loves traveling and looking for a good book to read.

Lori Duncan joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2019 as a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist. She holds a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (1991). Lori draws on over 30 years of experience in the field of pediatric therapy. 

Lori appreciates Children’s TEAM’s focus on servant leadership. As a seasoned therapist, Lori is a fount of knowledge among her colleagues. A spirit of servant leadership has long been part of Lori’s identity. As the oldest sister in her family she shares that she has always had a ‘mother hen’ instinct. 

Personal Insights for Lori Duncan

Lori is passionate about helping her clients improve communication and considers the opportunity to develop relationships with families to be the “icing on the cake!” In caring for her clients, Lori acknowledges that she leans into her vibrant faith life. She regularly prays for each child and family she works with.

When not working Lori Duncan enjoys playing with her grandchildren, being outdoors and reading. 

Speech-Language Pathologist Lynsey Phillips serves as Director of Children’s Therapy TEAM’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Program. She was inspired to develop TEAM’s AAC Program in 2013 while working with a child named Kylee. Kylee needed AAC and there were limited community options available.

Lynsey Phillip’s vision for Children’s Therapy TEAM’s AAC Program was to build the region’s most comprehensive and collaborative program. The ongoing need for AAC programming in Northwest Arkansas is clear. The now thriving program offers AAC consultation and evaluation, as well as community education and outreach.

Lynsey initially joined the Children’s Therapy TEAM family in 2009. Her ability to connect with the children and families she served was evident right away. A colleague notes, “If you watch one of Lynsey’s therapy sessions, her dynamism is really evident. There seems to be a certain magic in the air as she is able to fully engage kids with fun, highly interactive therapy work.”

While Lynsey specializes in supporting language through the use of both low tech and high tech AAC devices, she also has other professional interests. These include serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as serving bilingual populations.

Lynsey Phillips holds a Master of Science in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology from Arizona State University. She is fluent in English and Spanish and holds an English as a Second Language Endorsement (Arkansas Tech University, 2012). Lynsey has completed extensive professional development and became a Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) Certified Professional in 2019.

As a principal investigator with The University of South Alabama, Lynsey’s area of research is AAC. She is a local and national speaker who has presented at a variety of large conferences including ArkSHA, ASHA, Closing the Gap, and ATIA, as well as school districts and universities. Additionally, Lynsey has hosted webinars for the Ohio-based Center for AAC & Autism.

An active community volunteer, Lynsey Phillips often serves children and families with non-profit organizations such as Autism Involves Me (AIM) and others. Lynsey notes, “I have a special place in my heart for individuals with autism and their families. It is a unique journey that requires a lot of support. I enjoy helping families make connections, get the resources they need, and have a place where they feel they belong.”

An Arkansas native, Lynsey is happy to have the opportunity to commit her professional career to serving children and families in her home state.

Madyson Ellis joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers initially as a student clinician in 2021. She later joined as a Clinical Fellow in 2022. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas and earned her Certificate of Clinical Competence in 2023.

Madyson has experience in a wide range of pediatric environments including Arkansas Children’s Hospital, outpatient clinics, and schools. In addition to her clinical work, she draws on over 9 years of experience working in childcare settings. 

With experience in treating articulation and expressive/receptive language disorders, Madyson appreciates opportunities to work with clients with varied diagnoses. This includes working with children with hearing loss using rehabilitative hearing technology as well as clients using eye gaze AAC devices.

Personal Insights for Madyson Ellis

What Madyson appreciates most about her work is her ability to be creative and collaborative with other therapists. She shares that she was drawn to Children’s Therapy TEAM because of the supportive, positive environment for children and clinicians alike. 

When not working Mayson enjoys traveling, going out to eat, and spending time with her family and friends. 

When Mentor Therapist Mandy Walters joined Children's TEAM in 2010, she brought with her a decade of pediatric experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, outpatient, home health, public school, and early intervention settings. She holds a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Communication Disorders from the University of Arkansas (2000). Her primary interest includes improving feeding, swallowing, and oral motor development.

In addition to utilizing this specialization to treat infants and older children, she also serves as a feeding/swallowing technique mentor to fellow TEAM therapists. She also specializes in addressing sensory-related feeding issues, early language intervention, and treatment of children with Down Syndrome. Mandy is an active TEAMworks volunteer and enjoys spending time with her daughter and their four crazy dogs! In her free time, you may find Mandy NOT being lazy…she enjoys CrossFit, golfing, hiking, and kayaking.

Mandy Walters is certified in VitalStim Therapy. She is also a certified provider of the Neonatal Oral Motor Scale (NOMAS). Mandy has attended numerous courses addressing infant and child feeding and development. She has also completed training in Food Chaining Methods, Talk Tools, Kaufman Apraxia Methods, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS Level 1) methodologies.

McKenzi Jones holds a master’s degree in Communications Disorders (Auburn University). She joined the Children’s Therapy TEAM family as a clinical fellow in 2019. The heart of McKenzi’s approach to treating each child as a person first and foremost, rather than as a diagnosis.

For as long as McKenzi can remember, she notes, “I have always loved working with kids!” Part of the joy McKenzi experiences working with kids is drawn from seeing hard work lead to measurable growth and progress. McKenzi embraces opportunities to celebrate these accomplishments, both large and small, with families.

McKenzi draws on her experience providing assessment and intervention in the areas of treatment related to articulation, language, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, feeding and swallowing, social aspects of communication, and autism spectrum disorders.

When not working, McKenzi enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending Razorback sporting events, traveling, and tapping her creative energy while scrapbooking.

Morgan Oswald joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2016. Seeing her work as a Speech-Language Pathologist as a central part of her life mission, Morgan Oswald shares, “The Lord has instilled in me a love and passion for His children. It brings me great joy and honor to be a small part of a child’s life!”

Morgan earned a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Missouri State University before joining Children's Therapy TEAM. She double majored at Arizona State University in Speech and Hearing Science and Family and Human Development (2010-2014). Throughout her studies, Morgan benefited from extensive internship experiences. She served as a Speech-Language Pathology Intern at the Getz School for children with developmental delays in Tempe Arizona in 2013. While serving as an intern at the Missouri State Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic, she regularly participated in team conferences with medical staff, physical therapists, and occupational therapists (2014-2015).

Morgan completed a Speech-Language Pathology internship in Northwest Arkansas at Central Park Elementary School in Bentonville, AR. She evaluated, diagnosed, and treated children exhibiting speech, language, and communication disorders related to diagnoses such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism. Morgan Osward is an active member of several non-profit organizations serving children with disabilities including Miracle League and Down Syndrome Connection of NWA.

When not engaging in her professional work in pediatrics, Morgan enjoys being around friends and family, spending time in the community, being outside, hiking, camping, running, golfing, going to the lake, and going to concerts.

Paige Funkhouser joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2008. She holds a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas. In the field of Speech-Language Pathology Paige has a keen interest in treatment incorporating the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Paige has completed extensive training and practicum experiences in multisensory structured language instruction. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist well equipped to support dyslexic clients.

In 2023 Paige was honored with a T.E.A.M. Impact Award for her servant leadership at Children's Therapy TEAM. A nominating colleague shared, "Paige is so positive and caring and works with her kids in a way that empowers them and validates them on every level!"

In addition to serving children in Northwest Arkansas, Paige has international treatment experience working with children as a TEAMworks therapist in Guatemala and China. She shares, “I volunteer a lot with TEAMworks because it is an organization that truly and deeply cares for each life of a child with a disability, especially orphans. Being able to advocate for children and help them find forever families is an incredibly rewarding experience.”

When not working Paige enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Paige Funkhouser is a competitive runner and has completed several Boston Marathons!

Paige is certified in PECS (Level 1) and has received Beckman Oral Motor Training. She has served as a guest lecturer on early language development at the Universidad Del Valle Guatemala (2013, 2014).

Rachel Jordan serves as Children’s Therapy TEAM’s Lead Referral Therapist in Fayetteville. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa (2017) where she was a Henneke Fellowship recipient. Her thesis studies focused on bilingual vocabulary acquisition with research completed in Cartago, Costa Rica.

With the singular goal of becoming a speech therapist, Rachel’s focus on the profession began well before graduate school. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Baylor University while majoring in Speech-Language Pathology and minoring in Child and Family Studies (2015).

When one of Rachel’s close family friends shared with her how much their child benefited from Children’s Therapy TEAM, Rachel, still a graduate student at the time, knew the clinic would be a great match for her passion for serving children. She later enthusiastically accepted an invitation to join the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Children’s Therapy TEAM.

Personal Insight for Rachel Jordan

As a native of Fayetteville, Rachel appreciates opportunities to attend Razorback baseball and football games. She loves spending time with her friends and large extended family. Staying active, Rachel enjoys hiking, swimming, and yoga. In fostering her creative side, Rachel enjoys reading, writing, and singing.

Sarah Pomietlo initially joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2010. She served as a family support professional before moving into a clinical role.  A Dallas native, Sarah Pomietlo completed a Bachlor of Science in speech-language pathology and audiology at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas in 2006. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from North Eastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 2012.

When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family. Her family likes walking and biking to Bentonville Square.

Sarah Reece joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2023. She holds a Master of Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Psychology in 2021 graduating Magna Cum Laude from Ouachita Baptist University. There she served as a Peer Lead Instructor of Younger Clinicians. 

Sarah credits the families she works with and clients she treats with teaching her something new every day. She embraces the opportunity to work with children in what she considers to be the most foundational years of their lives. 

In Sarah’s everyday work, she is intentionally responsive to each child’s needs. She shares, “Some days kids won't feel well, and other days they will be bouncing off the walls. It is important to meet them where they are each day.” 

Sarah is skilled in working with children with varied diagnoses but has a special interest in serving children and adolescents with disorders impacting reading accuracy, fluency, comprehension, spelling, and written expression. Proper, timely interventions, she believes, can truly impact one's whole life. To this end, she is working towards a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) credential and can deliver the Take Flight Dyslexia Program.

Personal Insight for Sarah Reece

In working for a faith-based company, Sarah appreciates the aspect of faith that is present in her work. She believes that every child is a gift from God who is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

In Sarah’s free time, she enjoys spending time with family at home in Northwest Arkansas, friends, and her dogs. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time in the sunshine.

Sarah Thompson joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2023 as a clinical fellow after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas. She holds a Master of Science in Education in Communication Disorders as well as certificates in Play-Based Speech Therapy and the Advanced Modified Barium Swallowing Impairment Profile. 

Valuing the role of scholarship in clinical practice, Sarah’s preparation for her work has included honors research at the University of Arkansas. Her thesis study, “Phonological Processing Abilities and Reading Skills in Young Adults” (2021) investigates the significance of phonological processing abilities and performance on measures of reading fluency, decoding, and comprehension in young adults.

Sarah draws on clinical experience gained in several pediatric clinics, school-based settings, and a nursing home where her treatment focused on articulation, phonology, pragmatics, language, fluency, literacy, and adult language skills. Additionally, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest Outpatient Aphasia Reading Club, Sarah gained experience planning and leading treatment for adults with aphasia.

Personal Insights for Sarah Thompson

At Children’s Therapy TEAM Sarah appreciates what she considers to be a “collaborative approach to therapy.” Such collaboration has particularly been gleaned from her fellowship work with Carmen Shumpert, M.S., CCC-SLP, a veteran mentor therapist with over 15 years of local and international clinical experience in pediatrics. 

When not working Sarah enjoys going on walks outside and traveling. She considers her faith to play a significant role in her everyday life. For Sarah, caring for the whole child means incorporating her clients and families into her daily prayers. 

Speech-Language Pathologist Taylor Patterson joined the Children's TEAM family of providers in 2018. She credits her parents with instilling in her the importance of empathy in all her interactions. It is this characteristic that has guided Taylor’s firm belief in the importance of fostering communication skills that extend well beyond the doors of the therapy clinic. Similarly, much of Taylor’s education has reflected her passion for community engagement.

Taylor’s outreach to individuals with special needs began while she was still in high school. Through her volunteer efforts, she first saw the life-changing impact of therapy in fostering communication. Given this foundation, it was no surprise that Taylor dove into studying communication disorders as an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas (2013-2016).

Engaged in the local Northwest Arkansas community, Taylor served as a group leader in Young Life Capernaum, a Christian youth group for teens with special needs. She also regularly served as a Miracle League mentor and coach. Through Taylor’s work as an aide for a teen with cerebral palsy, Taylor was inspired by the heart and mission of a local therapy provider, Children’s Therapy TEAM.

Taylor saw firsthand the critical role that Children’s Therapy TEAM played in the lives of many of the children she served in Northwest Arkansas. This experience led Taylor to dream of one day working as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Children’s Therapy TEAM. After completing her Master of Science in Communication Disorders (University of Texas at Dallas), Taylor’s dream became a reality. She accepted an offer and joined Children’s Therapy TEAM’s SLP Team.

As a clinical fellow, Taylor has had an impressive range of experiences in pediatrics. She has worked with children with autism spectrum disorders, pediatric traumatic brain injuries, emotional/behavioral disturbances, and other developmental disabilities. As an SLP assistant at The Texas Social Communication Connection in Dallas, Texas, she supported the development of social communication, emotional regulation, and play skills in children with autism spectrum disorders in both home health and mainstream classroom settings.

Through Taylor’s training with diverse populations of children and young adults, she has honed in on clinical skills targeting social communication, feeding, speech, language, and cognition. She is proficient with a variety of intervention models including SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Supports), DIR/Floortime (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based), and sensory integration approaches.

While Taylor was raised in Texas, she now calls Northwest Arkansas home. She is a proud Razorback alumna (2016). She enjoys running, playing with her Goldendoodle dog, Bennett, and coffee.

Tiffany Shumpert joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2008 as a family support professional before moving into her role as a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist in 2011. She now draws on over a decade of experience in the field of pediatric therapy. At home at Children’s Therapy TEAM, Tiffany notes that she values her clinic’s willingness to go above and beyond to make sure each child’s needs are met.

Tiffany holds a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Arkansas (2011) and multiple certifications including a certificate in autism education as well as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification. She earned her ATP credential through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.

Personal Insights for Tiffany Shumpert

A consistent highlight of Tiffany’s work is getting to build relationships with clients and their families. She shares, “As a therapist, you become part of a child’s life and there is nothing like the joy of seeing a child progress and succeed.” Tiffany shares that her faith guides her in treating others, especially kids, with grace and gentleness. 

Combining her love of working with kids and working out, Tiffany has even served as a children’s athletic trainer. During her free time, Tiffany enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and attending Razorback sporting events. She loves taking trips and experiencing new adventures. This passion has inspired her past travel through the TEAMworks non-profit to serve children around the globe. 

Yareli Cortes joined the Children’s TEAM family of providers in 2021. In addition to her SLP-A credential, she also holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in Spanish from the University of Arkansas. 

Personal Insights for Yareli Cortes

At a young age, Yareli knew she wanted to work with children, especially multilingual children. As a bilingual therapist, Yareli has a passion for serving as a communication bridge with Spanish-speaking families. When she sees a client’s progress Yareli loves being able to communicate fluently with the family. 

Yareli credits Children’s Therapy TEAM’s supportive work environment with creating an atmosphere of belonging and care for clients and employees alike. When not a work Yareli enjoys spending time with her two daughters and trying new restaurants.