Come on in and let’s have a cuppa while I share my story. My name is Patricia Rakovic and I am a speech and language pathologist with a passion for learning and teaching,
There are times that I feel a little bit like Forrest Gump as I have been fortunate in my life to have some amazing life experiences that have formed who I am today.
I grew up in New York City to parents that instilled in me the power of education. My mom was from Ireland and my dad worked for Pan Am so we spent many summers in Ireland.
I am the oldest of four children and was about to embark upon my college education when there was an economic crisis in the United States which included Pan Am shutting down. I was fortunate in that New York City’s college system was free. I went to school after the Vietnam war and there were some occupations that were having massive layoffs so you were prevented from majoring in these. Although I dreamed of being a teacher and minored in education, I was excited to discover the field of speech and language pathology.
I went to college at Lehman College part of the City University of New York and received my master’s from New York University. My pre-professional practice included working in a school in Harlem, a developmental center that had infants to adults from the recently closed institution, Willowbrook, and Roosevelt hospital ( where John Lennon died).
My first job was in Rhode Island and my husband and I fell in love with the state. We have raised our four children, three boys and a girl in Narragansett I am thrilled that my grandchildren are also here.
I started at Sargent Rehabilitation Center as a speech and language pathologist and became the Pediatric Director of their specialized school. My tenure there coincided with the increase in numbers in autism spectrum disorder. I became part of a dynamic group of professionals that strove to bring the best Evidenced-based practices to the children of Rhode Island. With a grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education, I was able to meet and study with some of the pioneers in autism treatment including Temple Grandin, Barry Prizant, Andy Bondy, Lori Frost, Carol Grey, and Michelle Garcia Winner. The team brought back to Rhode Island these practices and worked with school systems to integrate these into their schools.
I left Sargent Rehabilitation Center and began working at East Greenwich Public schools where I still work as a practicing speech and language pathologist.
I am one of the founding mothers of the private organization The Autism Project. I worked for twelve years at the University of Rhode Island as a Clinical Supervisor and have been an adjunct at Providence College, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island Community College, and Johnson and Wales University. I have continued to learn and grow I have my special education administration license and I am certified as a dyslexia specialist.
“Develop a passion for learning, if you do you will never cease to grow” Anthony J. Angelo
I am hoping that this blog will be like sitting down and having a cup of tea with a friend. I want to share news, ideas, and resources with you. Won’t you join me?
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