Rotem Keller | Communication Disorders, 2019

From student clinician to mentor of the next generation of speech and language therapists, JMC alumna Rotem Keller has built a career dedicated to helping children reach their potential—and helping future professionals do the same.

Drawn by her love of working with children and her desire to pursue a therapeutic profession, Rotem discovered the Communication Disorders program during an open house at JMC. The focus and style of the program immediately resonated with her.

Her talent and dedication quickly became evident. During her final year as a student, she was already working alongside the head of the department, gaining valuable professional experience before graduation.

After earning her degree in 2019, Rotem joined the Child Development Center of Meuhedet Health Services, where she worked with children and families while continuing to maintain ties with JMC. She remained active in the college's clinic and served as a teaching assistant, helping support students as they developed their clinical skills.

Four years ago, she returned to JMC's on-campus clinic in a new role—this time not as a student, but as a clinical instructor and mentor. Today, in addition to her work in the clinic, she works directly with students, guiding them through the transition from classroom learning to professional practice.

Today, Rotem considers mentoring students her proudest accomplishment. "Seeing students grow from their first clinical experiences into confident professionals is incredibly rewarding," she says. "Watching that transformation and knowing you played a part in it is a special feeling."

Her advice to current students is simple: appreciate the opportunities the field provides and don't be afraid to make mistakes. "When you truly love what you do, the children and families you work with feel it," she says. "That connection is what allows real progress to happen. And mistakes are part of the learning process—they help us become better professionals."

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue developing professionally and pursue a master's degree in the future.

We are proud to spotlight Rotem Keller, a member of the JMC alumni community.