In my muggle job I am an educational interpreter. I work in a high school and have a typical hs schedule. I have 6 classes, 6 deaf consumers and even extra curricular responsibilities. I even have a Deaf principle.
Sometimes I stop and think. There was a time when Deaf children were forced to be oral. Deaf was (and is still) seen as a disability, something that needed to be cured. They were punished for signing. They were forced to wear uncomfortable and cumbersome body aids. We were not doing them any justice but rather punishing them for something they didn’t do!
Education has made such strides with the Deaf community. I am honored to be part of that process. All of “my” students learn differently with different levels of academic proficiency. I came into Education by accident. I always thought I wouldn’t like it. Now, honestly, I love it. I adapt my interpretations to match the needs of each of the students I serve. I am their bridge for access and communication.
Adapting the presentation of materials for the learning style of our students (hearing and Deaf) is the only way that our future will ever progress. We are not cookie cutters. We are a world of individuals. We can do better. Lets do better.
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