“Passing the Torch: CHS Alum Kelly Lambeth Returns to the Classroom”

Published June 23, 2022

By Darlene Muguiro

UTEP College of Health Sciences

Kelly Lambeth, a 2018 graduate of the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program and recently hired clinical instructor, is realizing a high school dream that combines her two vocations – teaching and the medical field.

“In my senior year of high school, I came across speech-language pathology. After researching the profession, I realized it was the perfect combination of teaching and being involved in the medical field,” she said. “I ended up taking a few pre-requisite courses and instantly fell in love with all that this career encompasses.”

Lambeth entered the SLP program in fall 2016 after receiving her bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from UTEP. Following graduation in 2018 and a short celebratory excursion to Europe – an “unforgettable experience” that she continues to look back upon fondly – she began working in earnest. She entered the field of pediatrics and assisted clients with various disorders, including speech and language, cognition, fluency, augmentative and alternative communication, and feeding disorders.

Lambeth’s transition from private practice to academia was not a spontaneous decision. She says that she began considering coming back to UTEP to work as a clinical instructor during her time in the SLP Program. She admired the work ethic of the professors she encountered as a student and was inspired to give back to future generations of clinicians.

“The professors and supervisors had a special way of encouraging and supporting you, while simultaneously challenging you to learn the material and develop great clinical skills,” she said. “I remember thinking how much I would love to come back to support future SLPs in developing their clinical skills to help a variety of individuals that we work with in our field.”

Lambeth’s first day at UTEP as an instructor was “nerve-wracking.” She jumped into practice in the middle of the spring semester, teaching audiology, general phonetics and serving as one of the clinical supervisors for graduate students during their on-campus practicum.

“During my time in school, I was taught how to be an SLP clinician, not an instructor. I had to learn how things work in academia,” she said. “Thankfully, many of the professors and supervisors I had during grad school are now my colleagues. They have so graciously guided and supported me along the way while also providing me with many useful tips.”

This semester, Lambeth says she feels more confident in her position and, with practice, believes she will continue to grow as an academic. She especially enjoys working with graduate students as a clinical supervisor, which gives her the opportunity to assist them in developing their clinical skills and determining what area they’d like to pursue. She also likes sharing stories about her experiences as a clinician and applies these to the topics she teaches. As a recent graduate, she feels that she is able to relate well with her students and believes this will translate to their success in the classroom.

“I have a very good understanding of everything they are going through. I feel like I can support them along the way and provide useful tips that helped me,” she said. “Hopefully, I can encourage them to persevere through the demanding coursework and clinical practicums and help them realize that all the hard work will pay off in the long run.”

Lambeth encourages anyone who is considering coming back to teach to pursue it: “It’s very rewarding to be able to ‘pass the torch’ to future clinicians and help them develop the knowledge and skills needed to be successful and provide exceptional care to the individuals we serve.”

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Go Miners!

For more information about the Speech Language Pathology Program, please visit: www.utep.edu/chs/slp.