Invited Presentations
“How to Survive Your First 100 Days: Higher Education,” American Sign Language Teachers Associate, ASL EDU Virtual Symposium Series, July 2024.
“Technology Integration in ASL Classroom” American Sign Language Teachers Associate, ASL EDU Virtual Symposium, July 2024
“Technology Integration in ASL Classroom” GoReact, ReAction Virtual 2024, April 2024
“Queering Your ASL Curriculum” American Sign Language Teachers Associate, Webinar Series, February 2024.
“Teaching While Deaf, Queer, and More” American Sign Language Teachers Associate, Webinar Series, April 2023.
Malinda Tran and I collaborated to conduct a webinar presentation on the challenges faced by educators with multiple identities. The presentation aimed to shed light on the intersectionality of identities and how educators can navigate through the complexities of their diverse identities while teaching. The presentation was hosted under Dr. Barbara Kannapell's Project, a committee established by the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) to promote conversations and awareness on Queer issues in educational settings.
“Queering Your ASL Skills” ASL Student Conference, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, December 2022.
I delivered a presentation to a diverse audience of novice and proficient American Sign Language (ASL) users, covering a range of topics related to the integration of Queer community language into ASL. The presentation included a discussion of modifying ASL's identification structure to address strangers, Queer-specific vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, and an analysis of the Deaf Queer community in the United States. The objective of this presentation was to promote an inclusive and culturally sensitive learning environment and to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the integration of Queer community language into ASL.
“What the F***!: Swearing in ASL” ASL Student Conference, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, December 2022.
I facilitated a discourse on the phenomenon of swearing, with a particular emphasis on its occurrence among Deaf individuals. Through this discussion, the audience was enlightened on three crucial points: firstly, that Deaf individuals do engage in swearing behavior, secondly, that they utilize their unique methods of swearing, and lastly, that certain ASL signs, which involve commonly perceived swearing gestures and handshapes, do not necessarily indicate swearing behavior. The objective of this conversation was to dispel any misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding swearing in the Deaf community, and to promote cultural sensitivity and awareness among ASL users.
“A Journey into the Deaf World” Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Chicago, Illinois, February 2022.
This workshop offers a unique and intimate exploration of the Deaf experience from a firsthand perspective, going beyond medical definitions to delve into the rich cultural tapestry of the Deaf community. Through personal anecdotes and insights, attendees will gain an understanding of the everyday challenges and triumphs of Deaf individuals, dispelling common misconceptions. The presentation will illuminate the core values, norms, and traditions that define Deaf Culture, highlighting the importance of American Sign Language (ASL) and its impact on Deaf identity. This immersive experience promises to foster cultural awareness, empathy, and break down communication barriers.
Get Movin’
Columbia College Chicago (Beyond the Books - Silent Retreat) - 2019
I was invited to provide a workshop on incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) classifiers for discussing fitness and well-being at the Silent Retreat. As an avid Crossfit practitioner, I transformed the workshop into an interactive session where participants engaged in a workout while learning how to comprehend and use classifiers in ASL.
Presentation Slides
LGBTQ+ Culture & Community
Columbia College Chicago (Beyond the Books - Silent Retreat) - 2017
Nathan Blair and I was asked to co-present a presentation on different aspects of the LGBTQ+ culture and community. We also talked about how can sign language interpreters educate and prepare themselves for the job within the LGBTQ+ community.
Presentation Slides
Production Presentation
The Vlog Project at Chicago MCA
Illinois Humanities - 2016
I was honored to be asked by the renowned artist and educator Christine Sun Kim to create a digital short educational vlog for Illinois Humanities’ Elective Studies series. The goal is to seek to increate capacity for Chicago artists and arts organizers to create accessible media about art for the Deaf community.
Video / Illinois Humanities Website
Selected Presentations
“Exploring the TPACK & SAMR Frameworks” American Sign Language Teachers Association National Professional Development Conference, Columbus, Ohio, July 2023.
Incorporating technology and digital tools in courses is a growing trend in the field of sign language education. This presentation focuses on the effectiveness of existing technology assessment frameworks, specifically the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR) models, in the context of sign language education. I am currently engaged in multiple research studies related to this topic. The aim of this investigation is to assess the suitability of TPACK and SAMR frameworks in evaluating the efficacy of technology integration in sign language courses. By analyzing the current ongoing conversations and examining relevant literature, this presentation aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the use of technology in sign language education.
“Queering Your ASL Curriculum” American Sign Language Teachers Association National Professional Development Conference, Columbus, Ohio, July 2023.
Students demographics within higher education institution is shifting and forcing reinvention on campus across the globe. Colleges nationwide increasingly rely on faculty and staff to be equity-minded toward increasing access, retention, and student success. Students who self-identified as LGBTQIA+ members are one of the student groups that face challenges in accomplishing a sense of belonging on campus. Inclusive education has many advantages for all students of different life paths, but it challenges ASL educators in planning for optional student participation and learning. identifications of the students’ key issues affecting their learning and college experience is a valuable strategy to begin educating ourselves on the learner differences that will need to be addressed for these students. This interactive workshop will illustrate various in and out-of-classroom strategies for including LGBTQIA+ identifying students and enhancing their on-campus experience.
Community Presentations
“Deafies in Drag: Who Are They?” Columbia College Chicago, ASL Department and Fashion Department, Chicago, IL, November 2022
I collaborated with Jason Dougan-LeBlanc from the Fashion Department and organized a two-hour talk with notable Deaf drag performers, as part of the CCCX courses titled "Did You Just Flip Me Off?: Deaf People and Linguistic Diversity in Chicago" and "The Art of Drag". The event aimed to enhance the educational experience for both the ASL Department and CCCX students by providing them with a unique opportunity to engage with Deaf community members who are renowned for their contributions to the art of drag in their unique ways.
Creating Deaf Spaces at Columbia College Chicago
CCC’s American Sign Language Department - 2018
The ASL Department at Columbia College Chicago has proposed the conversion of their floor in 33 building into a Deaf-friendly and language-immersive space. My colleagues and I have explored the potential advantages of incorporating DeafSpace features into the existing architectural designs at Columbia College Chicago, with the aim of providing an enhanced college and language learning experience for students.
Presentation Slides
Student Presentations
Teaching to Transgress: Education as Practice of Freedom
Gallaudet University - 2019
I worked with my group of Master's classmates and delivered a presentation on bell hooks and her philosophical contributions to activism in educational settings. The presentation featured a detailed analysis of the best practices for subverting the traditional education system in the United States, as well as in Deaf and American Sign Language education. Drawing upon insights from various pioneering educators' perspectives and approaches, this presentation aimed to stimulate a critical discussion on the challenges and opportunities of implementing progressive educational practices. The ultimate objective was to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and socially responsible educational system.
Presentation Slides
Reframing Away from Self-Depreciation
Gallaudet University - 2019
I worked with my group of Master's classmates and provided an in-depth analysis of the occurrence of self-deprecation within Deaf organizations worldwide. Self-deprecation is a result of internalized oppression that can be observed both at the individual and community levels. The presentation explored the ways in which language use can reveal an individual's perception of themselves and their place in society. Towards the end of the presentation, we demonstrated how self-deprecation can be mitigated by adopting a more empowering language and narrative, as evidenced by our revision of the National Association of the Deaf's mission statement. The objective of this presentation was to raise awareness about the negative effects of self-deprecation and to equip individuals and organizations with the tools to promote a more positive and self-affirming approach to their identity and role in society.