For some students in Galesburg CUSD 205, words don’t come easily. For others, they don’t come at all—at least not in the traditional way. But thanks to the work of speech language pathologist Tara Krisher, those students are finding their voices and reshaping what communication can look like.

Krisher, a Galesburg High School graduate who returned to her hometown after years of study and service in the Air National Guard, has become both a speech language pathologist and the district’s Special Education Coordinator at Lombard Middle School. In that dual role, she helps students across grade levels unlock language in whatever form works best for them. Sometimes it’s a simple picture exchange. Other times, it’s a high-tech iPad that “speaks” for a child, or even a communication board installed on a playground.

The communication boards—colorful panels filled with core words and symbols—are one of Krisher’s proudest projects. After reviewing commercial options, she designed one tailored specifically to the needs of Galesburg students. “It took me the better part of a school year to get the design and measurements right,” she recalls. Working with architects and supported by district leadership, she saw her idea installed at playgrounds across the district. “It turned out better than I had hoped,” she says.

For many families, the introduction of assistive technology can feel daunting. Parents often wonder whether a device might act as a crutch or prevent verbal speech from developing. Krisher understands the concern—but also knows the research. “Giving these aids actually increases verbal output,” she explains. “Students are hearing modeled language more often than we could ever provide ourselves. It makes a world of difference.”

The impact is visible. Students who once relied on behaviors like yelling or throwing now have constructive outlets to express themselves. Children can tell their teachers when they’re hurt, their parents when they’re hungry, or their grandparents that they love them. “Some families come back and say their world has completely changed,” Krisher says. “They can talk to their cousins. They can call Grandma. It’s very fulfilling.”

Her work extends beyond the classroom. Krisher helps families navigate the complexities of insurance to secure personal devices and ensures students never go without a voice—even in the summer. If a device breaks, she responds quickly. “Time is of the essence,” she says. “Without it, that student can’t communicate. That’s their voice.”

Krisher is quick to highlight the team around her: a group of seven speech language pathologists working across the district. “They make such a difference in every school,” she emphasizes. “They guide teachers, support parents, and allow students to access their education through communication. They are masters at what they do, and we’re lucky to have them here.”

Technology is evolving fast, and Krisher is helping Galesburg adapt. Through Chromebooks, students now have access to extensions like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and even AI-driven tools that can translate a ninth-grade text into a fourth-grade reading level. These supports, she points out, don’t just serve students with identified communication needs—they benefit all learners. “Everyone uses spell check or Grammarly,” she notes. “That’s AI. And it’s giving every student a way to access content at their level.”

Yet behind the technology lies something deeper: dignity. “Our language connects us to relationships, opportunities, love, and independence,” Krisher reflects. “Without those things, life is gray. I feel very fortunate to be able to help families see that there are options, there are choices, and there is hope.”

For the roughly 50 students each year who rely on augmentative and alternative communication, that hope has become reality. And for Tara Krisher, it’s the most rewarding work imaginable—helping young people find their voices, in whatever form they take.