Keller ISD is excited to honor Melissa Brown, KISD Augmentative and Alternative Communication Facilitator and Speech-Language Pathologist, as the Innovative Teachers Inspiring Students (IT'S) Award Winner for March.

Brown was presented with the IT'S Award at the March 28 Board Meeting after being nominated by KISD Executive Director of Special Education Lynn Jameson for her work in creating Core Communication Boards for campus playgrounds.

A Core Board is a communication system that uses a set of frequently used words, with accompanying pictures, that can be used independently or in combination with each other to create phrases to assist nonverbal students to communicate with others more easily on the playground. After a parent reached out with the idea of installing the Core Boards, Melissa collaborated with other Speech-Language Pathologists in the District to design the boards to meet students' communication needs. She then worked with Keller Center for Advanced Learning's (KCAL) Graphic Design program to produce the boards in the print lab.

The IT'S Award is in its 11th year of honoring Keller ISD teachers. This peer-nominated recognition program highlights KISD teachers for the amazing things they are doing in their classrooms. From innovative to inspiring and everything in between, the IT'S Award is proud to share the stories of the District's most exceptional teachers.

Brown will also receive a $500 grant, courtesy of the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation, which she plans to use toward additional communication boards.

Take a look at the video below to see these boards in action and how this tool is equipping students with the ability to express themselves and their needs while outside with their friends and teachers.