Standard+9-+Professional+and+Ethical+Practice


 * 9K2: Understanding and use of professional resources relevant to the field of education of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.**

**__The Use of Interpreters __**

My first major is in American Sign Language-Interpreting. I have never been an interpreter but have done numerous amounts of field work watching them in play with the students. I feel that if used correctly an interpreter can be an amazing asset to the students education gain. I have seen interpreting that has been done well, to the students preferred liking, and also interpreting that has been done, not so well. If using an interpreter within the classroom, I feel that it is very important for the student, teacher, interpreter, and whoever else may be working with the student to all be on the same page as to how to use one. For instance, I have seen interpreters in the classroom that basically were doing all the work that a teacher should be doing. The teacher would almost disregard the student and rely on the interpreter to answer all questions posed. In order to use an interpreter to their fullest capacity, knowing the rules and preferences that that student needs or requests is essential. I have seen some interpreting where they became a team and it was amazing to watch a student who was profoundly deaf, with no help from hearing aids, benefit so greatly from an interpreter in her mainstreamed classroom. I noticed that the teacher and students were all working together to make sure that the student was benefiting. For example the teacher and student knew to use longer wait time to give the interpreter enough time to finish up the prior conversation. It seemed that everyone worked as a team which I feel best accommodated that student.


 * __Professionals, Organizations, Websites __**

Parents who are hearing and have a deaf child for the first time, may be fearful about that they may not be knowledgeable about what is best for their child. There are many organizations out there to help parents with this difficult time. There are also websites that parents can read on if they do not have time to visit places. As a future teacher of the students, I will make sure that I accommodate student and parents needs as best as possible. I wand the parents to feel comfortable and be able to ask me, the teacher, questions and know that I can give them answers or direct them in the best way possible. One website that I like is,

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Here people can go on this website and read articles about interpreters, deaf education, Deaf Culture, employment, etc. Hopefully after reading about some of these topics parents can begin to feel that their child has hope for a successful future. Another organization and website for parents to visit is,

Hands and Voices []                 

This is a non-profit organization to support families and children who are deaf/hard of hearing. This website along with myself, recommends a book for parents to read called, //The Book of Choice //. I read this book when I attended Madonna University and it is a great book for parents to read, it allows them to hear stories about other parents who may be in the same situation as them, hear their problems, fears, and success stories. Sometimes, when you hear your child is deaf, you feel that you are alone and have no one else to go to. I as the teacher want to help lessen this worry and given the best insight to parents that I can by directing them to websites, books, and organizations that can help best answer their questions and concerns. This gives them the support that they need.