Over the loud, rhythmic rattle and clack of her grocery cart, school speech-language pathologist Lisa Kirby-Mangas heard a familiar voice calling from the other end of the aisle.
"Ms. Kirby! Ms. Kirby! Hi!"
It was one of her students, who was so excited to see her that he came running.
For Kirby-Mangas, moments like these have become a familiar part of life in Madison. After more than three decades in MMSD, former students and families often stop to say hello, whether she's at the grocery store, a community event or one of the many graduation parties of students she worked with years earlier.
Those connections are what Kirby-Mangas thinks about most as she prepares to retire after 35 years with the district.
For the past seven years, she has served as the district's program support teacher for speech and language, leading 87 speech-language pathologists and helping coordinate services for students across MMSD.
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“It feels very bittersweet. I'm excited and I think it's the right time to retire, but…” she began before briefly pausing. “I love my job, and I love working and I keep getting teary eyed knowing I'm not gonna be doing this next year, I'm not gonna see these people.”
Looking back, she sees a career shaped by experiences she did not always anticipate.
Since joining MMSD in 1992, Kirby-Mangas has worked as an SLP in every age group and at 13 different schools in the district. She taught in the district's phonology classroom, provided services in early childhood classrooms, traveled to homes and preschools to support young learners, and worked with students receiving services through age 21 at their places of employment, helping them develop language and communication skills tailored to their jobs.
“There are a number of things in my career that put me on a different path than the one I thought I was going to take,” Kirby-Mangas said. “But those experiences and the knowledge I gained really benefited me, and led me to my current role.”
Working with students from ages three through 21 gave Kirby-Mangas a perspective few professionals in her field have the opportunity to develop. She saw how communication skills evolve over time and how early interventions can influence a student's future learning and opportunities.
"Sometimes students are working on similar goals at very different ages," she said. "You get to see why some of the skills we work on with younger students are so important because of how they're applied later in life."
Whether helping a student build their language, articulation, fluency or voice production abilities, speech pathology is ultimately about strengthening communication, Kirby-Mangas explained. And communication is crucial for, well, everything.
“If kids can't be understood, that affects so many things: their learning, their connection with other people, their early literacy skills,” she said. “That’s why I’m so proud to work with such amazing staff, who are improving the educational experiences and life experiences for students daily.”
That passion carried into her leadership role supporting speech-language pathologists across the district. Drawing on decades of experience, she helped colleagues navigate challenges and continue growing in their practice.
In one day, her support could vary from helping a first-year SLP find a way in to connect with a reluctant student (it often involves “Pokémon,” Kirby-Mangas joked) to researching the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice.
Jessie Koehler, a speech-language pathologist in the district, said Kirby-Mangas has been a mentor to her.
"Her leadership and professional development for SLPs have ensured that staff are supported and students across the district have the best possible speech and language services,” Koehler said. “Personally, she has walked beside me through highs and lows in my position, and I can't imagine MMSD without her."
While colleagues often point to the benefits of her expertise, Kirby-Mangas views the work through a different lens.
"It's a team. It's always a team," she said. "We're here for the students, that's our main priority. Think of an IEP team, it’s multiple specialists with extensive knowledge coming together to help the whole student.”
That spirit of collaboration is something colleagues across disciplines have come to appreciate.
Brenda O'Connell, an occupational therapist in MMSD, said Kirby-Mangas' impact was evident both in her work with students and her relationships with staff.
"For students, she was always a calm, consistent presence," O'Connell said. “She is one of the hardest workers but the most understanding, encouraging and thoughtful person in the decisions she makes and the way she shares news with staff. She is inspiring as a leader."
As she prepares for retirement, Kirby-Mangas says she feels fortunate to have spent essentially her entire career in MMSD, a district she describes as a place of continuous learning and growth. And while any change can be difficult — whether that’s switching grade levels or retiring — it ultimately moves life forward.
"We have people who've been here a while and people who are new, so we can learn from each other," she said. "The new people bring new ideas and information. The people who've been here longer bring experiences and support. That is a really special thing."
