Image Description: Six black and white studio photos of Matt (L to R) 1) thinking while nibbling his glasses temple. 2) gesturing the peace sign. 3) smiling. 4) staring straight at the camera. 5) again, staring straight at the camera. 6) thinking and resting his head on a fist.

The longer version… or, the Deaf’s way

[Video Description: The black and white video starts with a close-up shot of Matthew Andersen. He’s wearing a button up shirt with sleeves rolled up]

Matthew: “Hello”

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Matthew: “I'm Matthew Andersen, but call me Matt. My sign name, Matt. I have been born and raised in a Deaf family (parents and three siblings) in Ontario, Canada. Growing up I attended to a Deaf school. I graduated in 2000…”

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Matthew: “…and then attended to Gallaudet University to pursue a degree in art therapy…”

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MatthewL “…As you know how life goes, I got distracted by the opportunity to travel around the world and perform with a Deaf dance company. During those years, I've performed, presented, and hosted workshops…”

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Matthew: “…I decided it's time to pursue my education again. I got myself enrolled into Rochester Institute of Technology. I studied visual communication and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2008…”

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Matthew: “…I relocated and settled in Chicago, Illinois. I've worked at various of jobs in Chicagoland within both fields; visual communication and sign language education. I've taught sign language to a wide various of ages and levels of skills I’m working as a college instructor, teaching American Sign Language (ASL I to Advanced) and several other Deaf Culture related courses (Deaf Culture, Deaf Theatre, etc) After a while of enjoying my time teaching…”

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Matthew: “…I eventually decided to solidify my career in sign language eduction by completing Gallaudet University’s Masters Sign Language Education in 2019…”

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Matthew: “…Now, I'm looking forward to continue my career as sign language educator.”

[The video ends.]

I have been born and raised in a Deaf family (parents and three siblings) in Ontario, Canada. I graduated Ernest. C. Drury School for the Deaf (Milton, ON) in 2000 and then attended to Gallaudet University to study Psychology of Art. As you know how life goes, I got distracted by the opportunity to travel around the world and perform with Wild Zappers (an all Deaf male dancers) After meeting so many people during my travels, I decided to pursue my education again and graduated Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) with a Bachelor of Science in 2008. Currently, I’m residing in Chicago with my husband and three furkids. At this moment I’m working as a college instructor, teaching American Sign Language (ASL I to Advanced) and several other Deaf Culture related courses (Deaf Culture, Deaf Theatre, etc) I eventually decided to solidify my career in sign language eduction by completing Gallaudet University’s Masters Sign Language Education in 2019. My work focuses specifically on the language and culture development of younger and upcoming generations of sign language interpreters and those who majors in Deaf Studies.