Ashley S Jefferies, MA CCC-SLP, M Ed., a parent, educator, author, and speaker, has worked in the field of speech-language pathology for the past seventeen years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University in speech pathology, her first master’s degree from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in speech pathology, and her second master’s degree from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in educational psychology. Mrs. Jefferies has worked in the clinic, school setting, and natural environment with children with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other medical conditions, helping them increase their overall speech and language abilities for improved communication skills. She is also the owner of First Words, LLC, a pediatric therapy company that offers speech/language therapy services to children to help improve their communication skills. Ashley has conducted continuing education classes regarding speech, language, and cognitive development for child care center workers and other health care professionals. Additionally, Ashley has undergone research in increasing creativity in the classroom, the role of parent, student, and school in achieving educational outcomes, and the correlation between emotional intelligence/regulation and academic achievement.