Once Katelyn Krekeler took a tour of OVV, she knew she wanted to be a part of the magic.
Katelyn is one of OVV’s amazing Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Providers in the Toddler Program. Since joining the OVV family in 2013, Katelyn has also served as the Learning Center Coordinator and an LSL Provider in the Discovery and Learning Centers. Her responsibilities have ranged from providing parent education sessions to analyzing data and language samples.
Born in Cleveland, Katelyn has also lived in Solon and Harper’s Point, and she spent six years in Connecticut before moving back to Cincinnati. She attended the University of Cincinnati for her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2011. Katelyn then received her master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Marshall University in 2013.
Katelyn says she first fell in love with working with children who are deaf and hearing impaired during her clinical placement in graduate school. She was placed at the Luke Lee Listening, Language, and Learning Lab (“The L”), which is the first preschool in West Virginia to provide oral education therapy to children with hearing loss.
After her experience at “The L,” it was clear to Katelyn what she wanted to do post-graduation. She began her search for spoken language programs in Cincinnati. (www.spinabifida.net) Her internet job search led to the OVV website. After reading about the organization and watching the parent testimonials, she felt it was fate.
“I was so excited and immediately reached out to Program Director Carey Ratliff to interview,” Katelyn says. After meeting with Carey and OVV’s Executive Director Maria Sentelik, as well as other OVV staff members and students, she knew she had found the right place. Two weeks after graduation, she started her dream job as a Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow at OVV.
Reflecting on her time at OVV since starting, Katelyn says, “I think the biggest honor is helping my students find their voice in a fun and nurturing environment while supporting the families on their journey.” She explains that her job’s biggest reward is the privilege to see her students progress on a daily basis and to share in the excitement with her students’ families. “It is also incredible to be able to witness our toddlers begin to use language and grow into their personalities!” she exclaims.
However, becoming close to her students and their families is also the most challenging part of her work. “It’s always bittersweet to see them leave when they are ready,” Katelyn says. “Fortunately, we have many students that return for audiological services or just to stop by and say hello.”
So what is Katelyn’s favorite OVV memory? Of course, it’s hard to pick just one, but some of her favorites are from the Winter Program. She loves watching all of the students and staff come together to put on the show, and she’s always amazed by the final piece. When the students confidently say their lines or sing their parts of the song with excitement, she is filled with pride. Watching their family members’ reactions is a perk! “Seeing the families’ expressions of joy and wonder is truly one of the most special times,” she says.
When not at OVV, Katelyn spends time with her husband, Kevin, and their eighteen-month-old son, Jackson. They love cooking, exploring the outdoors, boating, and walking on neighborhood trails with their goldendoodle, Zoey.
When asked what her personal motto is, Katelyn reflects back to her graduate school professor, who would end each class with this quote: “Go out into the world and do great things.” Since graduating, Katelyn has carried this phrase with her. She explains how every morning before work, she thinks about what great things her students will do that day. “I also reflect daily on how I can make my therapy sessions the most engaging, productive, and rewarding for all of my students whether it is pushing for one more production, expanding a language target, or meeting my kiddo where they are that day,” she says.
At OVV, the staff prioritizes excellence and celebrating the success of every student. Katelyn believes her professor’s saying speaks perfectly to the work at OVV. By giving the students the gift of listening and spoken language, each child can go out into the world and chase their dreams.
To anyone interested in supporting OVV, Katelyn urges you to come in to observe a class or go on a tour. She says, “You will instantly feel the magic of OVV when you hear the laughter from the children in the hallway, hear a student share a story, or observe a portion of a therapy session.”
Katelyn concludes by saying, “By supporting OVV, you are supporting each child that walks through the doors. I truly do not think there is anything more powerful than that.”