I remember when I was at graduate school, I heard about this profoundly deaf student who uses ASL, deciding to student teach in a regular public school classroom in New York City.
Here is an article which explains how she got this arranged and what happened. It talks about both the positive and negative aspects of being a deaf teacher in a regular classroom with hearing students. It is very interesting and inspiring.
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/news/article.htm?id=5015
What do you think? Is it possible for a severely or profoundly deaf teacher to teach in a regular classroom of hearing students? Would you dare to attempt such a feat?
Discuss.
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I am profoundly deaf (no hearing aids but I lipread) and teach developmental reading/literacy to young hearing students (many of whom are speech & language impaired) as a teacher consultant in an urban public school district. Rarely, I have deaf students. Been doing this successfully for about 15 years now. Absolutely, it's possible.
ReplyDeleteDee, what strategies have you been using to successfully teach reading/literacy to young students. I am currently a student teacher teaching hearing students. I would appreciate any help you have to offer. Kimesha721@gmail.com
DeleteAwesome! I am "deaf" but I have a cochlear implant. I have tried doing websites for strategies for teachers who have hearing issues. But, it's so funny that I never find them. They always turn out to be about deaf students! Yet, all our teacher education classes talk about is diversity while at the same time not using diversity to help those of us who are deaf with teaching strategies!
DeleteCool, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHow many students do you work with at once? How do you do it? What is it like?
Thanks,
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It varies--usually I work with two to five when I'm doing small groups and other times, I'm in general education classrooms, sometimes ending up having to cover for general education teachers. I often do assessments (that's one-on-one). I also lead numerous meetings with parents, teachers, principals, psychologists, and other team members. I'm all over the school. I've even had kids ask me if I was the "principal's helper." However, I make sure that my direct contact with people is half-time...otherwise, lipreading full-time exhausts me to the point of compromising my health.
ReplyDeleteGallaudet University requires all of their elementary education students to do their student teaching with hearing students. It's a bit bizarre, in my opinion, but many of the students are successful with it.
ReplyDeleteDee--I just came across your post. Are you still on this blog? I have many questions about a deaf teacher teaching literacy to hearing students. I would love to correspond with you!
ReplyDeleteI'm severe to profoundly deaf and spent five summers teaching hearing kids programming, web design, CAD, and related subjects. It was a rewarding experience.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, it's an ideal situation because I'm the primary speaker, I have control over who talks, I know the topic, and I'm facing them. Also if the child is asking a question, I can look at the computer and see what's wrong and that's likely to be the subject of the question.
On the other hand, I like to ask questions to probe for understanding and it can be difficult to understand a child's speech in a noisy room. As a consequence, I ask less questions than I'd like.
Recently, I volunteered for Junior Achievement. I ended up teaching the hearing class a few signs for the vocabulary and I couldn't believe how enthusiastic they were about signing. I wish I'd started mixing ASL in a lot earlier.
Paul and Dee--It seems that you rely on oral speech rather than sign when teaching? Do either of you teach with ASL interpreters? I ask because I teach literature and writing classes at the University of Texas at Austin with ASL interpreters.
ReplyDeletei am severly deaf, and i teach hearing kindergarteners. i am oral in the class room, but i also sign alot just in habit, and my kids have picked up alot and will often use it with me, also i find i communicate alot more with them through hand gestures and body language as compared to the other teachers
ReplyDeleteThough I am teaching hearing children Sign Language (Pre-K to Second grade), I struggle with hearing or following what they are saying or asking. I have to have another teacher nearby to sign, repeat their question or clarify.
ReplyDeleteThe littlest ones are the easiest, because they are a small group and they gather around me, eye level and we are huddled together. They are right in front of me, or next to me. They often point to the pictures in the books. They usually ask the same questions over and over and have no problem repeating themselves, or having me repeat.
my kids know they have to tap me to get my attention, then i will get down to their level to see their lips, i often say, "i wont answer you if you dont look at me when you speak" sometimes, i just guess what they are saying and sometimes i have another adult repeat what they say, if they all start talking i make sure to tell them, that we will speak in turns, if they refuse, i will just stand there arms crossed not talking, untill they all stop talking and then go around one by one, for teaching them phonics i have them sound things out and ask them what it sounds like and go from there since i cant actually "hear" what it sounds like, its hard but i make it work, and i do a good job and i love it :)
ReplyDeleteI did my undergrad student teaching in English at a hearing school for a full year (with ASL interpreter) when I was at Gallaudet. Honestly, the middle school kids I worked with were awesome. That said, the thought of teaching a classroom of hearing kids is terrifying for me! But it's interesting to see that there are many here doing this. Wow! That's inspiring!
ReplyDeleteJanel K.
I taught classes & TA sections when I was a CS grad student. But I'm oral deaf and as someone above said, teaching is easy enough because I can control who talks, etc. As far as questions and such, I handed out index cards, asked my students to write down questions.
ReplyDeleteIt was exhausting, though. I would never base a career on this, though I do enjoy teaching quite a bit. I've wondered whether I would enjoy teaching the deaf later in life, as semi retirement.
BTW: *Every* teacher should always repeat the question asked. Not everyone (hearing or not!) will hear the original question.
Wow, this is a very inspring article and I enjoy reading all your comments. I am currently a hearing impaired students teacher (hard of hearing) teaching hearing students. I've taught 5th grade hearing students and loved it. I wish I could speak to each and every one of you. I would like to know what stratgies you use in the classroom when working with hearing children. I will leave my email address here and will appriciate any help, suggestions, and stratgies that you can share with me. ...Kimesha721@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have a severe hearing loss and I teach 24- 4th grade students in a hearing classroom. I have been successful so far and have achieved high test scores. I use a lot of nonverbal cues or ASL for restroom and drink breaks. I think my students appreciate my eye contact. I lip read and am proficient in English. I love teaching. The only time I struggle is when I am in large group meetings when the speaker is far away or in back of me and when everyone is talking at the same time. I just manage my classroom and make accommodations as needed. My district knew about my hearing loss and has been supportive. I have not needed any special accommodations except the ones I know I need to make for myself.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across this post trying to find information about teaching deaf students. In about a year's time I will have to teach "Sound" to a deaf student - who is going to have a cochlear implant.
ReplyDeleteThe student is very efficient at lip reading and speaks very well. She does not use sign language (LESCO as the Costarrican equivalent of ASL).
We've had preliminary talks to check the abilities to master the subject "Sound", and she is eager to participate in classes.
My problem, as her professor, is how to make her aware of the subtleties of sound.
I would be grateful for any advice given at: haheyder@uveritas.ac.cr
This is amazing. I'm deaf, but I have a cochlear implant. I did all of my field work with hearing students. I don't have a deaf education degree. I have a 4-9 Middle Childhood license. I'm not sure what I was thinking! I did well in my field experiences, but ended up landing a job online. I've taught school online for six years. I have played with the idea of going back to brick and mortar, but I am absolutely terrified of the classroom control aspects of my hearing loss.
ReplyDeleteI have a severe hearing loss and used to teach 3rd grade. However , my timidness and unconfident ended with my profession. I would like to know how to communicate our dissability with school staff and kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I am currently attending college to become an elementary teacher. I have been a substitute teacher for 5 years and I just love the kids and helping them learn! I am also hearing impaired (since the age of 7, I am now almost in my mid 40's). I have always questioned my ability to function in a classroom of my own. I manage well as a sub, but there are those instances when I can't help but wonder if I am going into the right profession, but only because of my disability. The responses I see here are inspirational! When I expressed my concerns, one of my education professors told me that if I go in knowing I can do the job, then the administration will know it, too. If I go in doubting myself, the administration will doubt me, too!! Powerful words to live by!
ReplyDeleteWow this website is so reassuring. I am 50 and am starting out as a student teacher. Something ive wanted to do all my life but never got there till now. My biggest fear is letting people know I am hard of hearing. I find that even my family get frustrated when I have difficulty, so how would i go about being surrounded by a whole class of students and staff. My goal is to work as a relief teacher for a while build up my confidence then handle my own class. I have so many doubts but non to do with my ability. Still I have a very encouraging husband that truly believes in me so I will push forward and give it a go. Nothing to loose and everything to gain. Love the inspirational words of your professors.
DeleteI am a (oral) deaf teacher at a completely hearing school! I teach high school, and have 150 students--which breaks down to 7 classes of around 18-24 students.
ReplyDeleteIt takes some flexibility, but we make it work! I absolutely LOVE my job and my students.