How One SLP Turned a Pandemic Challenge Into a Creative Opportunity: The Journey of Angelia Daniel
From Teletherapy to Publishing Books
Angelia, who calls herself a “materials junkie,” has always loved creating new tools and resources for her therapy sessions. So, when the pandemic hit, she didn’t just think about how to make teletherapy work – she thought about how to make it better.
One of her students, a child with autism, needed more than just virtual sessions. Angelia began creating custom books and therapy materials that she could drop off at the child’s home. These materials helped improve the student’s language skills, and Angelia saw firsthand how impactful this hands-on approach could be.
It didn’t take long for her to realize that these resources could benefit other students as well. That’s when the idea of publishing her own books began to take shape. “Why not me?” she thought. After all, other SLPs were making their own materials, so why couldn’t she create something even better?
And just like that, The Functional Language at Home and School Series was born. Angelia took the plunge into self-publishing, knowing that it would take a lot of time, effort, and research. She believed in the value her books could bring to other SLPs, parents, and educators.
The Challenges of Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is no small feat, and Angelia quickly discovered there was much more to it than simply writing a book. She had to learn about formatting, editing, illustrations, and even things like printing options, distribution, and copyrighting. And don’t even get started on marketing – reaching the right people was one of the most challenging aspects of the process. After all, she was a new, unknown vendor trying to get the attention of school districts, parents, and SLPs who might be interested in her materials.
The process felt overwhelming at times, but Angelia kept reminding herself of an important saying: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
After putting in the hard work, the results started to pay off. Today, The Functional Language at Home and School Series is a comprehensive, interactive book series available in both English and Spanish. Each book comes with materials and extension exercises that can be used both at home and in school, ensuring that families who may not have access to additional resources can still benefit from these tools.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Angelia’s journey wasn’t easy, but she’s learned a lot along the way. If you’re thinking about self-publishing, here’s some advice from her:
“I would tell an aspiring author that the traditional publishing industry has often overlooked nontraditional narratives and authors of color,” Angelia says. “But there are plenty of opportunities to self-publish, and it can be done in many different ways. The key is doing your research and having a solid plan. You’re not just writing the book – you’re managing and funding the entire production process, from illustrations to marketing. I recommend picking up books like The African American Guide to Writing & Publishing Non-Fiction by Jewell Parker Rhodes or Successful Self-Publishing by Joanna Penn to guide you through the process.”
Giving Back to the Community
But Angelia isn’t just focused on her own success. Through the Houston Chapter of Sisters in Speech Therapy and Audiology (SISTA), she works tirelessly to support minority SLPs and give back to her community. One of her main initiatives is partnering with universities in Texas to support new SLPs entering the field, while also working to retain those already in the profession.
SLPs, especially those from minority backgrounds, can often feel isolated – sometimes they’re the only SLP in the school or the only minority in their district. That’s where SISTAs comes in. It provides a network of support, offering mentorship, resources, and a place for professionals to share their experiences.
But that’s not all. SISTAs is also committed to helping women and children in the Houston area by donating toys, books, and time to local organizations. Angelia’s commitment to her community was recognized in 2022 when she received the Burtis/Vogel and Elkins Community Service Award from the Texas Speech and Hearing Foundation.
When She’s Not Working…
Even with all of her hard work and dedication to both her profession and her community, Angelia makes sure to take time for herself. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, cycling, and watching foreign films. She loves immersing herself in different cultures, whether through the books she reads, the places she visits, or the movies she watches.
The Takeaway
Angelia Daniel’s story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there are opportunities for growth and creativity. What started as a challenge in the world of teletherapy turned into a thriving business, and today, Angelia continues to inspire other SLPs, authors, and community leaders.
If you’re a speech-language pathologist or an aspiring author, Angelia’s journey shows you that with persistence, creativity, and a little bit of courage, you can turn your ideas into something impactful that can help others – no matter how big the challenge may seem at first.
What about you? Have you found creative ways to adapt to meet challenging students or situations? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
