Lara Meade’s professional journey in speech-language pathology began with a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Cortland in 1994, and a Master of Science degree from Marywood University in 2002. Over the past 25 years, she has dedicated her career to supporting students, mentoring professionals, and advocating for effective communication and educational access for all learners.
Lara launched her career in the public school system at Kilby Shores Elementary School in Suffolk, Virginia (1998–2000), where she gained foundational experience in providing speech and language services to diverse student populations. During this time, she also served as a Clinical Fellowship (CF) Supervisor. She later joined Chesapeake Public Schools at Deep Creek Central Elementary School (2002–2010), where she was part of a large team of 50 speech-language pathologists district-wide.
From 2006 to 2008, Lara ventured into private practice with LS Therapy, a small business she founded and operated to provide speech-language services to school-aged children. This experience deepened her understanding of individualized care and the unique needs of students outside the public-school framework.
In 2010, Lara returned to her roots in Central New York to join Otselic Valley Central School, where she currently serves as the district’s sole speech-language pathologist. Her role has expanded well beyond therapy. She has served as co-chair of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and is the facilitator for the RTI/MTSS process for grades PK through 5. She also serves as Vice President of the Teachers’ Union at Otselic Valley, working closely with unit members and administration. She has sat on various committees and teams including the Negotiations Team for the teachers’ union and the Instructional Planning Committee.
Lara is deeply committed to mentorship and professional development. She has hosted 11 students (at the graduate and undergraduate levels) from both the University of Virginia and SUNY Cortland for field placement experiences. She also serves on the Graduate Advisory Committee for SUNY Cortland.
As a 10-year member of the Central New York Speech-Language Hearing Association (CNYSLHA), Lara actively contributes to the field through facilitating professional presentations and discussions on a variety of topics related to school-based speech-language pathology. Most recently, she led a two-part professional study group on Generative AI in School-Based Therapy, which explored the use of artificial intelligence tools to support therapy planning, lesson development, and communication strategies.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing that Lara’s approachable teaching style and practical examples helped them feel confident exploring AI in their own work. Attendees described her as knowledgeable, well-spoken, and inspiring, turning what once felt intimidating into something exciting and useful.
Whether working one-on-one with students, collaborating with educators, mentoring emerging professionals, or advocating for systemic change, she remains passionate about advancing communication and learning opportunities for all.