Opening the Door for Deaf Culture in Our Schools

I am an AACPS: American Sign Language Teacher, Broadneck High School | 2018 Teacher of the Year Nominee

Most times, when classrooms are observed, the observing person walks into a room that is buzzing with students being fully engaged in the lesson.  Students may be in front of the room presenting, working in small groups, performing some kind of skit, engaged in seminar. The person entering the room uses their visual and auditory senses to interpret what is happening.  But suppose, just suppose, the vocal and auditory components were removed. Suppose, for a moment, a student would simply walk through a conversation between two people. Something that might otherwise be considered rude or impolite.  Imagine walking into a classroom where banging on desks, stomping on floors and flickering of lights was used as a way to get people’s attention. I would then say, welcome to the world of American Sign Language at Broadneck High School.  Students do not use their voices to communicate while in class. All levels of students are expected to sign. All classes are silent, but not quiet.

Being Deaf myself, I want to expose the students to both the language and the culture of Deaf people.  Many people are familiar with signed language. What they are not aware of are the differences between signed languages and American Sign Language.  American Sign Language and Deaf Culture didn’t exist until 1817. Since that time, there have been many highs and lows that have helped Deaf Culture here, in the US, evolve.  This is what I try to bring to my students. I want them to learn the language and the culture. I want them to develop a healthy respect towards Deafness and Deaf individuals.  It’s important to show them the things that Deaf people can do. It’s important to show them how the lives of Deaf people are different yet similar.

I have been fortunate to have administrations that have been very supportive of ASL and its relevance to Word and Classical Language.  ASL has been a wonderful alternative to students who may have tried another foreign language and struggled. It has given them the opportunity to complete their 2 years of a foreign language.  Some students have continued their studies in ASL at Gallaudet University, have become interpreters, teachers in Deaf schools and social workers that works specifically with Deaf families.

AACPS opened the door and pursued ASL as a language to be taught in it’s schools.  This willingness gives students the opportunity to broaden their language horizons and become productive/contributing members of society.