Philosophy Statement

Every Deaf child is entitled to an education and can learn. In order for this to happen you must
begin from that fact, and the implications must be understood. As I am focusing on educational
interpreting because of my current experience in this realm, I see some core values that I really
strongly hold to. I know some school districts do not understand child and language development
theories and current practices around bi-lingual (ASL/English) education or the Total
Communication philosophy. Many educators will question the intelligence and development of
a Deaf and Hard of Hearing student with their peers because of their "performance." Some
students use English as a second language and are not yet fluent in written English in their early
educational careers. People who are trained to conduct assessments in the students learning and
cognition have to realize that it must be in the individual’s preferred language and mode of
communication, consequently is not always an English-Based manual communication as assumed
by the school personnel.

It is my belief that the best match philosophies of communication need to be upheld as well as
followed through on in the classroom practices. The educational support team should be well
trained around the issues of bilingualism (ASL/English), Total Communication philosophy, etc. as
well as be familiar with the research relating to intelligence and language fluency. To provide a
dynamically equivalent message, I know it is vital to be aware of the diverse needs of individual
students, and aim to match the language preference of the students. It is vital to be pro-active
with the student’s education and IEP plan to ensure a successful education experience.
Constantly developing my own skills through self-monitoring, critical analyzation, continuing
education, and workshops related to interpreting, so that I can provide more successful
interpretations is my passion. It states the “provision of appropriate, direct, and ongoing
language access to teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing and interpreters and other specialists
who are proficient in the child’s primary communication mode or language."

As an interpreter in the classroom, I must hold to the definition of an "educational interpreter"

meaning a person who uses sign language in the public school setting for purposes of facilitating
communication between users and nonusers of sign language and who is fluent in the languages
used by both deaf and hearing persons.” I must always be current in my training and not be one
of the statistics of the serious lack of education in the realm of educational interpreters This is
my philosophy and passion to be able to uphold in my interpreting as well as being a professional
in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing educational realm. As an accessibility professional in the field of
communication I really hold to this concretely and speak up as an advocate when appropriate
and work alongside the educational team for the student’s best chance of success.