Treva Graves

About Treva Graves

We’ve been doing it backwards in education.We focus on strategies before stability.Interventions before identity.Student outcomes before adult capacity.And then we wonder why teams are exhausted, meetings are tense, and collaboration feels fractured.As a Speech-Language Pathologist and founder of The Unconventional SLP™, I believe we must do the work before the work.Before the lesson plans.Before the IEP goals.Before the initiatives.Before the next rollout.Because when the adults in the building are dysregulated, disconnected from their professional identity, and quietly battling self-doubt — no framework for students will stick.That’s why I created The Unconventional Team Framework® and Workbook for school-based SLPs, OTs, PTs, educators, and school leaders.It is built on four essential pillars: IdentityWho are you as a professional and leader — beyond your caseload, title, or evaluation metrics? Strong teams are built on clear professional identity. RegulationCan we manage stress, emotional overload, and high-stakes conversations before they escalate? Regulation is the foundation of collaboration. CommunicationAre we speaking with clarity, courage, and alignment across disciplines? Communication is not just about students — it’s about how adults function together. ConfidenceAre imposter syndrome and performance pressure driving our decisions — or are we leading with grounded authority?When we strengthen these four pillars within adults first, something shifts.IEP meetings become collaborative instead of defensive.Team discussions become productive instead of personal.Leadership becomes proactive instead of reactive.And then — we use the same framework with students.Because identity matters for them too.Regulation is foundational for learning.Communication drives connection.Confidence shapes academic risk-taking.We stop separating adult development from student development.We align them.Through keynotes, district professional development, workshops and hands-on implementation and the Changemaker Collective, I help schools build cultures where adults are regulated, aligned, and confident — so students can be too.When we do the work before the work, everything else becomes more effective. Changemakers in education don’t wait for systems to improve — they strengthen themselves first so they can lead the shift. If you’re ready to strengthen your team from the inside out —Let’s build something unconventional.

Experience

1. Speech Language Pathologist

   Northwest Area Education Agency Aea

   Aug 2025 — Present · Sioux City, IA, US

   As an Early Childhood Speech-Language Pathologist, I support young children during the most critical years of language, social communication, and early learning development. I collaborate closely with families and educational teams to build strong foundations in communication, regulation, and confidence — equipping children with the skills they need to succeed academically and socially.

Education

• University of Sioux Falls

  Bachelor’s Degree, Business Management

  1990 — 1994

• University of South Dakota

  Master’s Degree, Communication Disorders

  1994 — 1996

Skills

• Apparel
• Writes Fashion Column for Money Saver Magazine in Spirit Lake, Iowa
• Styling
• 25 Years Experience as a Professional Model
• Wedding Stylist
• Runway Model for Macy's
• Commerical Actress
• Featured in She Magazine in 2010 and 2012 for Personal Style
• Public Speaking
• Cosmetics
• Magazines
• Professional Trained Makeup Artist - Clinique, Inc.
• Beauty Industry
• Presentation Coaching
• Marketing
• Film
• Wardrobe
• Former Mrs. Iowa America
• Customer Service
• Actress in Oscar Winning Movie Dances with Wolves
• Trade Shows
• Fashion
• Time Management
• Skin Care