Her Story
About Toni
Toni Walters, EdD, is an accomplished speech-language pathologist, educator, educational consultant, and presenter with more than 25 years of experience in speech-language pathology and higher education. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses focused on language disorders, language development, and literacy. Her career has included clinical practice in nursing homes and schools, as well as extensive work in academic settings.
At UDC, Toni contributes to the development of future speech-language professionals through teaching, clinical education, mentoring, and research. She coordinates the SLP program's Literacy Lab, creating community partnerships and research opportunities for students, and serves on admissions and academic affairs committees. Her professional expertise includes pediatric speech and language development and disorders, language and literacy, sociolinguistics, clinical supervision, and supporting communication and literacy among children and young people. She has also served as a thesis committee member and co-chair, helping graduate students advance research in speech-language pathology.
Toni's educational background includes a master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Boston University and a doctorate in education focused on Higher Education Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University. Her professional philosophy emphasizes continuous improvement, meaningful community relationships, mentorship, and creating clear, transparent pathways for students and colleagues. She encourages emerging professionals, particularly women entering education, to seek strong mentors, find joy in their work, develop expertise in a meaningful area, and remain persistent while recognizing when it is valuable to step back, reflect, and return with a fresh perspective.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Toni
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being introspective, resilient, and committed to continuous improvement. I reflect on my experiences, learn from what does and does not work, and remain willing to try again. Most importantly, I am driven to keep improving my approach so I can better support and serve my students.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to keep going, even when progress is slow or the path is not straightforward. My mentors, family, colleagues, friends, and professional community have taught me that perseverance, excellence, and growth are built through consistency and support. Completing my doctorate after many years reinforced for me that success does not always happen quickly—it comes from continuing to move forward and allowing others to support you along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering education to focus on the positive, seek out strong mentors, and find work that brings them joy. Develop expertise in a specific area, build valuable skills, and stay curious about how learning and growth work within your field. Most importantly, don’t let negative conversations about education discourage you from making a meaningful impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education is managing increasing pressures and distractions while staying connected to the purpose of the work. At the same time, there are opportunities to develop specialized expertise, understand how people learn, and use those skills to make a meaningful impact. I believe challenges can also create opportunities for growth, especially when we remain flexible, persistent, and open to new possibilities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value persistence, community, and transparency. To me, persistence means knowing when to keep going and when to step away and return with a fresh perspective. I also believe in contributing to and being supported by the communities I am part of. In my work, I value clear, transparent processes that help people understand their roles and see their next steps.
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