Ms. Noel McDowell

It doesn’t matter where; it doesn’t matter when...I just know that my future will always involve American Sign Language and the world of Deaf Culture. American Sign Language is an evolving language with new signs being created regularly to explain phenomena that we have only just discovered. My future ambition is to never give up my passion and drive for American Sign Language and Deaf children everywhere.

 

While I have my Deaf Education degree, I do not have an interpreter certification. As I continue to better myself I would like to obtain this certification to broaden my capabilities and also to give myself more experiences so that I can connect with my students on a deeper level. I would love to work with the American Cancer Society to ensure that all of their events are interpreted and thus Deaf friendly environments. To obtain this certification I must take a written and skills exam. This is my next step in continuing my education. Children of all ages should be encouraged to learn another language. I am inspired to create a child-focused American Sign Language curriculum entitled “Get Your Sign On”. My interest is in showing students at younger ages that they can communicate with their Deaf peers. ASL is not just something fun to know; it is practical and useful on a regular basis. The students in my current classroom would love to have more students that they could communicate with on a one-to-one basis rather than having to involve an interpreter. The curriculum could be adapted for a 30 minute lesson in a general education setting or as an after-school activity. To learn ASL is the important thing; not how you learn it!

 

Continuing my own education is also incredibly important to me. While some may joke and throw around the term “life-long student”, I truly believe that is my nature. My inner drive encourages me to try new things and become excited at every new opportunity. My current degrees include a Bachelors of Arts in Education with a specialty in Deaf Education and Language Arts and a Masters of Arts in Education with a focus on Literacy. While not insistent that I look towards a P.H.D I have considered exploring other teaching certification areas. I have always held an interest in Cognitively Impaired and Emotionally Impaired students and have often contemplated becoming more familiar in both of those areas. Deaf students are often considered Deaf Plus; meaning they are Deaf and they have another disability. To become more familiar with teaching practices for students that are Cognitively or Emotionally Impaired, I would be opening myself up to more possibilities and also becoming a stronger asset to my future and current students.

 

Another aspect of interest of mine is world-wide travel. Such travel would be explorative in nature but educational as well. I have researched travel to Haiti where they currently have a newly-opened Deaf school and orphanage. I am hoping to go on a mission trip and work with these students; teaching ASL and also teaching English. This kind of trip would give me more experiences to share and would also allow me time to collaborate with teachers from around the world. Can you imagine teaching a word or a sign to a child on another continent?

 

Professional Development is a on-going concern for many individuals. While all of the above could be considered as such, I wouldn’t want to miss the basic professional development type programs that are offered. Conferences for Literacy teachers and Teachers for the Deaf are ones that I have held great interest in attending. These conferences bring together teachers that may not always have a large number of building or district colleagues and allow them to share their experiences and discuss ideas and processes. Deaf Education and Literacy Education are both fields that are morphing on a daily basis. Research is often showing new techniques and innovative strategies for both and it is important that we continue to learn with our colleagues. Collaboration is the key to success in education. It is also important (and often frustrating) to remain updated on the latest practices of the district. Technology usage, grading practices etc. are often changing and vary by district therefore, building and district-wide professional development is also important to me and my career.

 

 

My educational dreams may seem scattered or that I am hoping for too much. I want to accomplish all that I am capable of for myself and my students. I may not accomplish each thing on my list but my clearest goal of continuing to sign and give the gift of ASL to others will never change. American Sign Language opened a new world for me; a visual world that I am able to understand and express more clearly than I have ever been able to do my listening or speaking. Just think; it has done that much for me...but look at how much it can do for a Deaf child!