Clinicians
Our experienced clinicians are committed to providing each child with the highest quality services available. Each Speech Therapist is ASHA certified with a Certificate of Clinical Competency, has a Masters Degree, and is licensed by the State of Georgia. We employ time-tested techniques for making therapy fun and effective for each session.





Jodi Lewis, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is a staff clinician with Next Generation and the mother of two. Jodi graduated from West Georgia College with a Bachelor of Education degree in Speech Pathology in 1987. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters Degree of Education in Speech Pathology in 1992. Prior to joining Lorie Delk and Associates in 2011, Jodi worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Coweta County School System, the Gwinnett County School System and in Private Practice.


Elizabeth Slay, M.A., CCC-SLP is a staff clinician with Next Generation Therapy Services. Elizabeth graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders with a minor in Psychology in 2012. She graduated from The University of Memphis with a Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in 2014. Prior to joining Next Generation in 2018, Elizabeth worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in various roles in hospitals, public school systems and private practice. She and her husband, Danal, live in Peachtree Corners, GA.

Michelle Gritters is a Reading Specialist with Next Generation and mother of three grown children. Michelle graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and continued her development in Education Administration at Illinois State University. Michelle has extensive experience as a classroom teacher and curriculum development. Michelle is certified in several literacy programs, including Orton Gillingham, and has been trained in the Up-Words Reading® program. Michelle’s more than 25 years of experience in the field and with her own children give her a unique perspective in teaching children and coaching parents to navigate the challenges education. Michelle is married, loves golden retrievers and enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking.


Phala Echols is the Director of Family Care for Next Generation Therapy Services. Phala (pronounced fay-la) graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1990, she moved to Bangkok and served as an administrative assistant for three years. After this assignment, Phala returned stateside where she attended Auburn University and received her Master’s degree in Secondary English Education in 1993. That same year, Phala began her teaching career in an 8th grade Language Arts classroom at Berry Middle School in Hoover, Alabama. In the three years she taught there, her love for students and teaching and education in general continued to grow. Next Phala made the move from Birmingham AL to Seoul, South Korea where she lived for 12 years and worked as an Educational Consultant with expat families living all over Asia. A transition back to Thailand put her in a more central location for serving the expat students and their families that she continued to work with as the Lead Educational Consultant. After a total of 19 years in Asia, Phala relocated to Clinton, Mississippi where she works with international students at Mississippi College. Her nineteen years living overseas and working with expat families all over Asia has uniquely prepared her for the role of Director of Family Services with Next Generation Therapy Services. Phala has always been single and enjoys having guests in her home as well as cooking and baking from scratch.

Jill Turner is a reading specialist with Next Generation. She is a veteran classroom teacher of sixteen years, which included teaching kindergarten, second, third and fourth grades. Jill served as a lower school director for nine years where she encouraged and supported teachers and school families. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree through Indiana University and holds a teaching license in the state of Georgia qualifying her to teach grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Jill was first trained in the Up-Words Reading Program to be implemented in her second-grade classroom. She loves the ability to share the love of reading with students and to watch them gain confidence in their reading fluency. Jill is married with four adult children and two granddaughters. She loves reading historical fiction, taking long walks along the lake and playing tennis.
JOY WOOD | former Lower School Principal | Wesleyan School