Alexandra Fleury-Catterall shares her journey at Laurentian University

(December 8, 2025) - Born and raised in Sudbury, Alexandra Fleury-Catterall is grateful to give back to her community through teaching, clinical practice and lifelong learning.

Fleury-Catterall completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and later earned her master’s degree in Orthophonie at Laurentian University, where she is now a Master Lecturer. Alexandra described her student experience as very positive and informative, drawn to the close-knit community and the chance to build a professional network close to home. “It’s a surreal, full circle moment to be able to return and practice here seasonally in the on-campus clinic as well. I'm able to provide clinical services and teach, which is incredible” .

A unique part of her career is working alongside the professors who once mentored her. Teaching in the same program she graduated from has always been a goal of hers. Studying in French was also important, allowing her to serve the community in both official languages.

Outside the classroom Fleury-Catterall does seasonal work in the on-campus clinic, where her areas of focus are in assessment and intervention of voice and swallowing disorders. She helps people regain the ability to communicate and enjoy food again, she finds work deeply meaningful.  “The most rewarding aspect of my career as a speech and language pathologist is helping people regain parts of themselves that they thought were lost. Whether that is their voice, or just having a simple meal with family again.”

As a Master Lecturer, Fleury-Catterall enriches her classes by integrating real clinical cases and encouraging discussion. She highlights the Orthophonie program’s strong sense of community, one-on-one learning opportunities, and placements across Northeastern Ontario. “It’s a program that not only prepares you to be a competent clinician but also a reflective,empathetic, and compassionate one.”

When looking back at her career, Alexandra is proud of building a career that bridges her clinical practices, her teaching abilities and the opportunity to do research in the future. Even after nearly 10 years of being in the field, she still feels like she's just getting started. From working with children, to exclusively adults and now a Master Lecturer and doing clinical work on campus. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve her community.

Alexandra is currently supporting the establishment of an evaluation method for swallowing disorders (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) that would be new to Sudbury and further benefit patients, her students and speech language pathologists alike. She has been working for the past year and a half with many professionals to bring this instrumental assessment to Sudbury through the Speech and Language Clinic at Laurentian University.

Alexandra considers herself privileged to work in the speech and language pathology field. She appreciates that she gets to continue to serve her community, work with students who continue to expand her skills, and reach her professional goals.

As a closing message she encourages everyone to “stay curious and never stop learning.”