Shirley Padilla-Martinez, Speech Language Pathologist is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder. She graduated with her Master’s of Art degree in Communication Disorders and Speech Science in the fall of 1989. She worked for the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) immediately out of grad school. She also worked at Craig Hospital with Head & Spinal Cord Injury patients and at Nova Care treating the geriatric population in Long Term Care facilities.

The majority of Shirley’s career was spent working as a school-based SLP serving Preschool through 21 year old students. She spent the final five years in Jeffco serving as the district’s Speech Language Coordinator, in the role of a liaison between higher administration and over 150 SLPs.

Shirley served on the state’s Speech Language Advisory Council (CDE) for seven years as the Southwest Metro Representative for Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson & Platte Canyon school districts. Additionally, she served on the Colorado Bilingual Speech Language Providers group for several years.

Shirley retired from Jeffco Schools in June 2019. Currently she contracts with Advanced Medical in the super fulfilling role of supervisor and mentor for Clinical Fellows working in schools. She is also working part-time as an SLP at a neighborhood Charter School servicing K-7th grade students; thus the photo with her PPE (a clear mask and face shield) to facilitate improved communication during face-to-face instruction.

In her free time, Shirley enjoys time with her family, high schooler, multiple parents (fondly referred to as the “Fab Five”), and her puppy!