At Communication Junction, we are a team of speech pathologists and early educators that teaches families how to communicate and connect with their children through sign language, so they can develop a lifelong love of learning.
Abbey Cook, owner and director of Communication Junction, is a Speech Language Pathologist, receiving her Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology, at Gallaudet University in 2004. She is licensed through the American Speech and Hearing Association, and a certified Early Intervention Service Provider in the State of Illinois. Prior to establishing Communication Junction in 2009, Abbey worked as a SLP in an elementary school with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in Virginia Beach, VA. Abbey has also worked at Illinois State University, supervising graduate students and teaching various courses. Abbey has two children who began using American Sign Language at a young age. At five months old her youngest son began signing milk and by age 1 both boys had signing vocabularies of 20+ words. She has seen first-hand the power of teaching ASL vocabulary to children can have on early communication skills (leading to less frustration and tantrums), vocabulary development and school readiness skills. She established Communication Junction to share her knowledge of language development and passion for early communication with all families.
Rebecca graduated from University of Illinois in 2012 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught Kindergarten, summer school and coached High School dance in Chillicothe, IL for seven years. She decided to stay at home when her son, Theo, was born in 2019. She currently lives in Peoria with her husband Kyle and three little boys. Rebecca started Communication Junction classes with Theo when he was six months old and saw how much of a positive impact these classes had for Theo and her family. Rebecca is excited to help other families on their communication journey with their little ones!
Molly grew up in Bloomington-Normal and attended Augustana College, graduating in 2011 with a Psychology degree. She returned to Bloomington and worked at a local church for 9 years before deciding to stay home with her two boys full time. Molly started as a “CJ mom” with her oldest son when he was 8 months old and has been amazed at how sign language has allowed both of her children to communicate clearly at such a young age, relieving the stress and frustration of the young toddler years. Molly loves to have the opportunity to get to know local families and help them connect with their kids through silly songs and signing.
Amanda Nudd joined Communication Junction as Office Manger in November 2018. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Elementary Education in 2012. After teaching second grade for a year, Amanda decided to stay at home full-time with her son, while also continuing to substitute teach part-time. Amanda currently lives in Chillicothe with her husband, Jeff, and their four children. Being a CJ mom since 2014, Amanda can truly attest to the positive power that both signing and Communication Junction has on raising children through story times, classes, and at home. She absolutely loves being a part of an organization that means so much to her and her family and contributing to the incredible impact that CJ has on the community!
Erica graduated from Bradley University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and endorsement in Special Education. She taught preschool in the Dunlap district before staying home when her oldest daughter was born. Erica and her husband, Eric, live in Dunlap and have 4 girls, Addison, Savannah, Brooklyn, and Emily. Sign and Sing Storytimes were some of the first experiences Erica and her girls had to Communication Junction and have attended Stroll & Sign, classes, and events ever since. The benefits of sign, routine, and socialization Communication Junction provides has been a gift to her family. She is excited to now be teaching the Sign and Sing Storytime that first impacted her family many years ago and watching other families benefit as well. You may see her with a camera in her hands at times – Erica loves being the photographer for Communication Junction too!
Caroline is a speech-language pathologist, having graduated with her master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2020. She is licensed through the American Speech and Hearing Association and is pursuing her Early Intervention certification in the State of Illinois. Caroline is a Peoria native and returned to begin her career as a school-based SLP, working with a variety of students. She is passionate about giving her students a voice, which typically looks like singing, playing, and signing during therapy while growing their communication skills. Caroline is excited to share her knowledge of communication and language development and be a part of your family’s CJ journey!
Alyssa White is an Early Childhood Educator. She graduated from U of I in 2013 with her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and also earned her Masters Degree in Language and Literacy in 2019. Alyssa taught 1st grade for 10 years before deciding to stay home with her children and continues to substitute teach part-time. Alyssa and her husband Andrew live in Mahomet, IL, just outside of Champaign (Go Illini!) They have two children, Lucy and Jack. Alyssa started as a CJ mom in 2020 when her daughter was 6 months old. She has seen tremendous growth in communication in both of her children with the help of CJ’s virtual classes, tips and tricks, and knowledgeable staff. Alyssa is excited to be a part of your journey in communicating with your little ones!