Here is my interpretation for those of you who couldnt read my signings:-) Hello everyone. I feel it is time for me to say something that is related to Faye’s and Marcel’s issues. I understand what they are going through which is why I ought to bring this up. I am really concerned with S.J.Montgomery Elementary School and its school got a huge adjustment. It doesnt provide the Deaf Friendly Atmosphere anymore, concentrate only on Cochlear Implant, and most of the students arent signing. Faye’s situation doesnt sound right. I don’t recall S.J.Montgomery treating that way in the past. My memory of S.J.Montgomery was that they make us feel like a family and they were so friendly. Now it is not the same. I am really disappointed! I am not here to cause any offend to anyone; I am just here to express my concern. I have been working with deaf children for many years now. I have researched from my past experiences to current experience through as a student in mainstreamed program and in deaf institution; work at mainstreamed school and at deaf institution. When I entered mainstreamed program I have learned Sign Exact English and I didnt understand the importance of the education at this time. Years went by, I moved to Louisiana School for the Deaf. I was experiencing full time immerse in American Sign Language communication. My light upon my brain finally came on and I realized how important the education is. This was when I started enjoying learning in school. Teachers had encouraged me to get involved as a leadership and being in sports and clubs. I had marvelous experiences at Louisiana School for the Deaf. One day, I became home-sick and transferred to Lafayette High School. I had interpreters using Sign Exact English and it was difficult at first, fortunately I was able to read interpreters’ lip. After the while, I was managed to understand the interpreters’ signings. In my mind, I remembered how important the education was and I liked the challenge. My English got better. Also, I had begun the Sign Language Club. We had celebrated our 20th Sign Language Club Anniversary last spring. Keeps it going! After graduating my high school, I attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette. There were interpreters using American Sign Language. I was so thrilled because I didnt have to read lips anymore. Gradated at U.L.L., I returned to Lafayette High School as an employee. I found out that I had to take the EIPA testing. I was saying “Me?” It was a job requirement. I went ahead take the test. I passed them all. Guess what? I decided to throw the Sign Exact English out of my mind because I was not going to use it. Mrs. Brenda Baldwin was teaching American Sign Language and I was thrilled to be part of her class. Later on, I moved to New Mexico and worked at the deaf institution. New Mexico School for the Deaf had taught me so much. I was working in the dorm with elementary students and middle school students too, but I wanted to talk about elementary students. My impression was that the teacher sent her video to the students. Teacher asked the students to write down in English sentence after watching her signing in A.S.L. Also, students put down their ASL sentence and break them down to English sentence. I have never seen this learning process before and it is so cool! It is a good challenge for students especially in elementary school! If wait until high school, then it is possibility for students to be delay in English. So I thought about S.J.Montgomery but hold on that. Now I am Lafayette High School employee once again. It is my third time being part of this school. God must have a reason for me to be here! Rachel Brown is teaching ASL and study skills classes; again, I am thrilled to work with her. Deaf students are required to take two foreign languages so they take ASL. They need deaf role so here is my chance to do that. I have an opportunity to help them find their identity and expose deaf culture with them, and increase their confidence in themselves. Guess what? We started having Eyefest at Lafayette High School. Where did I get Eyefest from? I got this idea from New Mexico School for the Deaf. They do not have any deaf/blind people. Over here, we actually do have tons of Usher Syndromes (deaf/blind) people. We will change Eyefest to a different name. I encourage you from the community to be involved. It is not necessary but come and supports the deaf students. They need us to be supportive and increase their confidence. I am so fascinated in ASL. It is such a beautiful language! It is so clearly and understandable! S.E.E. makes us see word by word. I know it does help with our writing but use this method as a communication is no way. I believe using S.E.E. only in English class but not in any other subjects such as math, science, social studies, etc. We already have S.E.E. interpreters but we could hardly find ASL interpreters. We need to work on this right now. We are hoping that University of Louisiana at Lafayette or South Community College would accept the Interpreting Program, Deaf Education, and Deaf Study. We really need this in Lafayette. Unfortunately, many deaf people moved to different states because Louisiana no longer have job for them. We also have passion in seeing people from other states with degrees including clever deaf people from Louisiana move back and work together to see the successes here and other areas too for the deaf children. Again, if you have heart for kids, then come and support us. Contact me if you have any question.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:41:02 +0000
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