BURRILLVILLE – A speech and language pathologist who serves at Burrillville High School and Middle School has been named the 2025-2026 Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year by the Rhode Island Speech and Hearing Association.
Michelle Stanley has worked in the profession for 18 years in Burrillville public schools, with the first eight at Steere Farm Elementary School, followed by ten between the two schools serving students in grades 6 to 12.
In the role, Stanley provides direct treatment to students related to articulation disorders; receptive and expressive language difficulties; social language, voice problems such as stuttering and mutism; hearing difficulties; and nonverbal communication, including assistance with equipment and access to devices. She collaborates closely with occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and school psychologists in the district.
“I’m grateful for what I do,” Stanley said. “It’s work, but it doesn’t feel like work. I enjoy coming to school and being with students and my colleagues.”
Prior to coming to Burrillville, Stanley worked in early childhood intervention and visited Burrillville as one of her territories, where she came to know local colleagues in her field, leading to her decision to take a full time job in the district.
RISHA’s annual award is presented each year at Waterfire in Providence, at a special event held in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education dubbed, “A Salute to Rhode Island Educators,” celebrating teachers who go above and beyond. Dozens of educators attended the 2025 event, held on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Started in 2012, the RISHA award is given to a speech and language pathologist who is nominated by a colleague and demonstrates leadership qualities, and ongoing continuing education efforts. Winners must be in good standing with RISHA, and active full-time employees in a Rhode Island public or charter school.
Nominator and BSD colleague Speech-Language Pathologist Patricia “Trish” Rendine wrote, “Michelle has given her heart and soul in service to the students of Burrillville.”
“Your nomination emphasized your exceptional work as both a mentor and a supervisor,” noted RISHA in the award letter. “Your colleague noted the important training you have provided to both staff and students.”
“Additionally, your nomination highlighted your dual certification in Speech-Language Pathology and as a PK–12 English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher, demonstrating your ongoing commitment to meeting the diverse needs of all students,” the letter stated. “This dual certification equips you with the expertise to distinguish between a language disorder and a language difference, ensuring that multilingual learners receive accurate, equitable, and effective support. As “a kind, passionate and devoted” educator, Michelle, you have exemplified the best of Rhode Island’s speech language pathologists. The children of Burrillville are very fortunate to have such a dedicated professional.”
The Burrillville School Committee will be recognizing Ms. Stanley at their next meeting on October 14, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Burrillville High School Media Center.
“This remarkable honor is a true reflection of Ms. Stanley’s passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to helping students thrive,” said Burrillville Supt. Michael Sollitto. “Every day, she brings patience, creativity, and compassion to her work, ensuring that each child has the tools and confidence they need to communicate and succeed.”
“We extend our sincere congratulations to Michelle Stanley on her selection as the Rhode Island Speech and Hearing Association’s 2025-2026 Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year,” Sollitto said.
I imagine she integrates knowledge and identification, of tongue-tie and lip-tie, and high-palate situations into her work. As a nurse I have seen that many pediatricians are increasingly poor on noting those issues in infants, which can be fixed easily in that time period. If allowed to remain, the children grow, and have issues with suckling, eating, and subsequent speech. Never getting it recognized and remedied. But noticeable to the trained eye. Subsequently, families bring in speech pathologists when pediatricians have not paid attention…..
Congrats to her on all her hard work! Lots of years of training for sure.