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Mom Touches Lives Of Many Children
Kim Philo understands that it is possible to be a mom to more than your own children. She loves caring for her two daughters but feels blessed to be able to touch the lives of other children during her more than ten years as a speech-language pathologist in district 204. Some of her first experiences with children were at the district preschool where she helped students challenged with speech and language issues. Being able to influence the lives of young children was a very meaningful experience for her. "I remember quite a few parents coming in begging that I help their children to talk and then leaving asking me to make them stop talking," she jokes.
Currently, Kim works with 1st and 2nd graders in a self-contained classroom at Owen Elementary. "My biggest challenge this year is the use and programming of Assistive Technology devices to help children communicate," she explains. "It has been powerful to see children who are unable to communicate verbally be given a voice through the use of an alternative and augmentative device." She also is an independent provider for the State of Illinois Early Intervention System offering play-based services for several children each week in their homes. She finds both roles to be very rewarding since she is able to see developmental progress in the children.
When Kim and her husband had their first child five years ago, Kim says she gained a new perspective on parenting. As a therapist, she would often outline activities for parents to complete with their children and expected her instructions to be carried out according to schedules. "I have myself now entered the reality of parenthood and realize how just keeping the children fed and clean is sometimes all I can accomplish in one day," she notes.
Kim continues as a full-time mom and a part-time speech therapist. She enjoys being able to continue making a difference in other children's lives while treasuring every moment with her own children. The family owns a vintage player piano and enjoys pulling out simple instruments to play along with the piano. When the weather allows, mom and daughters like to walk to the nearby train switching yard to see the huge engines chug around. Evenings are often spent in front of the family wood-burning fireplace looking over school work and sharing a book together. The girls love to slip on their pint-sized aprons and cook in their play kitchen while mom cooks in the real kitchen. "We are all about family time," sums up Kim.
-Judy Buchenot

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