"In my capacity as school psychologist and PPT coordinator for the Consolidated School District of New Britain, I have had the pleasure to work with Phyllis Watts at DiLoreto Elementary School, Smalley Academy, and Slade Middle School. While I have worked closely with many excellent speech pathologists over the course of my 16 year career, Phyllis is without question the finest speech therapist that I have ever worked with. She has a comprehensive breadth of knowledge and is able to communicate that knowledge highly effectively; whether it be to her students; to parents at a PPT meeting; collaborating with school staff; training teachers, interns, speech assistants; or briefing myself or administrators on a particular case. In my discussions and collaboration with her, I have been enriched immeasurably by what she has taught me about her area of expertise. However, Phyllis has also become well known for many of her professional qualities that are not specific to the areas of speech and language. Phyllis has a remarkable eye for detail and is always prepared far beyond expectations for any given situation. She is known for her extraordinary rapport with parents and has often been the linchpin in achieving success in cases in which parents are distrustful, suspicious, or have other negative feelings toward the school for some reason. She is also an analytical thinker who can break down complex problems and develop innovative solutions and interventions - even in areas that are not directly centered on speech and language issues. Finally, I have been remarkably impressed by her general interpersonal skills, her ability to build consensus, and her subtle skill in establishing a positive team culture and raising morale on any team or group of which she is a part."

Dr. Daniel Witt, School Psychologist at Slade Middle School