Clinician Spotlight: Kim Miglicco

An interview with Kim Miglicco, our talented clinician from Austin, TX.

Q: What is one question you like to ask every student you start working with?

I always ask my students what their interests are. First and foremost, I want to establish rapport with them and get to know what they like. Secondly, I like to incorporate their interests into the session. I also ask about their feelings about school. Usually, the classes they like the least are the most difficult for them and it opens up a dialogue about where they feel challenged.

Q: What is the most memorable thing you’ve learned from a student?   

Emotions really are the on and off- switch for learning. When a student has concerns about things within or outside of the school walls, it can make focusing on a task even more difficult. I always begin my sessions by asking my students how they are feeling as well as doing periodic check-ins throughout the session. I am intentional in giving them plenty of opportunities to discuss things that may be bothersome and keeping them from reaching their full potential. Once rapport is built, they may report things that we can easily work through either with discussion or encouragement to help them be successful.

Q. What is one book or movie you think every student should read or watch?

My recommendation would be To Kill a Mockingbird. There are so many teaching opportunities in that book, especially courage!

Q: What are some EF strategies you use on a daily basis?   

I am a calendar queen. I have several calendars to keep me organized and on time. I always encourage my students to use calendars and love spending time teaching them how to use them and how to plan ahead to be more successful. It is a small tool but makes people much more efficient in their work. I also create lists, much like a calendar, lists function to keep me organized and on-task. Each day I add to the things I need to accomplish to meet my goals. Checking off the boxes is a great feeling for me!

Q: You are self-quarantined for a week. What three items would you like to have with you?

Hmm…mascara, Carmex, and a good book? That is, assuming I have my family with me!

Kim holds a Masters of Education in Exceptional Student Education with a concentration in Educational Therapy from Southeastern University, as well as a Masters Degree in Counseling from Sam Houston State University.  She is a Professionally Certified Educational Therapist (PCET) through the National Institute of Learning Development (NILD). 

Areas of Focus: Primary to Secondary Education, Structured Literacy, Reading Decoding, Dyslexia, Orton-Gillingham, Reading Comprehension, Written Expression, Language Arts, Elementary Math, Executive Function, Organizational & Study Skills, Metacognitive Strategies, Advocacy, Critical Thinking Skills