Is it okay for someone with hearing to teach deaf students?

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hannahbanana92

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Okay I have a quick question that I would like everyones opinion on.
I am going to college in Fall 2010 and I've been thinking about pursuing deaf education for some time. I am not deaf nor hoh and I'm not sure how I would be perceived as I have no past ASL experience and no one in my family is deaf or hoh.

Would this bother deaf students or not?
 
I'd suggest becoming fluent in ASL and knowledgeable regarding Deaf Culture first. Not necessarily because it would "bother the deaf students" but because you are not going to be the best educator for deaf students without it.
 
hannahbanana92 said:
Okay I have a quick question that I would like everyones opinion on.
I am going to college in Fall 2010 and I've been thinking about pursuing deaf education for some time. I am not deaf nor hoh and I'm not sure how I would be perceived as I have no past ASL experience and no one in my family is deaf or hoh.

Would this bother deaf students or not?
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I don't think students will be bothered that you aren't deaf or hoh. I do agree that its essential to work on your sign skills and make sure you are the very best teacher you can be. Also, depending on where you end up working, be prepared to have students who use other forms of communication besides ASL.
 
We have a deaf teacher at our hearing college.... equal rights. She is awesome too. Her students love her. She is late deaf and from India. Oh, anyway, I think it is best deaf/deaf hearing/hearing, but I also think the better qualified person should teach for the benefit of the class itself regardless of race, creed, sex, race, religion or deaf/hearing.
 
Bottesini said:
Deaf teachers for Deaf students!!
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While I understand the sentiment, I'm not sure I entirely agree. How far is that supposed to extend?
Male teachers for male students?
White teachers for white students?
American teachers for american students?
Hearing teachers for hearing students... even if those students are learning Deaf Culture or ASL?

I think what's important is having the most qualified, most dedicated teachers teach whatever they are passionate about. Some of my best learning experiences have been from teachers the least like me.
 
I don't see anything wrong with a hearing person who wants to teach deaf students; provided that this teacher retains the knowledge and the understanding of how to interreact and to face daily situations of those deaf children that needs the most out of this; the language and much other qualities that comes in line with this.
 
nope said:
While I understand the sentiment, I'm not sure I entirely agree. How far is that supposed to extend?
Male teachers for male students?
White teachers for white students?
American teachers for american students?
Hearing teachers for hearing students... even if those students are learning Deaf Culture or ASL?

I think what's important is having the most qualified, most dedicated teachers teach whatever they are passionate about. Some of my best learning experiences have been from teachers the least like me.
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Sorry . You will get used to me. It was a radical statement that is sarcasm. I thought the question was one that really did not need answered.

(but it is truth that what "postsfromhell" avatar fingerspelled is a little naughty}
 
it doesnt matter as long you have a great knowledge of deafness and deaf culture. Just be yourself. You're helping these students, be fluent in their language
 
Bottesini said:
Deaf teachers for Deaf students!!
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Is that not like saying "Hearing students for hearing teachers!!"

Perhaps discrimination??

If a person can do a job then it's irrelavant if they are deaf/hearing.

Thats my belief anyway.
 
stefan2832 said:
Is that not like saying "Hearing students for hearing teachers!!"

Perhaps discrimination??

If a person can do a job then it's irrelavant if they are deaf/hearing.

Thats my belief anyway.
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See post #8.:cool2:
 
Bottesini said:
I didn't bother to point it out, since I thought they just wanted to start a fight.
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Gosh, sorry if it sounded like that! I read the posts to quick and missed your reply. [Stupid me!] Perhaps I could of phrased my post better.
Will you accept a humble apology? Last thing I would want on this site is to argue with anyone.
 
i rather someone who knows ASL real well then someone would be able to understand any deaf students better.

i grew up hating that when the hearing teachers know a little bit asl yet they taught in my school years ago. I hate that! I rather someone knows ASL as a natural signer then they are ready to teach.
 
I had a deaf teacher and all of us adored her, we looked up to her, went to her when we had problems etc. I supposed we got on and bonded with her as she was profoundly deaf and knew what we was going through.
 
stefan2832 said:
Gosh, sorry if it sounded like that! I read the posts to quick and missed your reply. [Stupid me!] Perhaps I could of phrased my post better.
Will you accept a humble apology? Last thing I would want on this site is to argue with anyone.
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Nice sarcasm!!! :applause:
 
Frisky Feline said:
i rather someone who knows ASL real well then someone would be able to understand any deaf students better.

i grew up hating that when the hearing teachers know a little bit asl yet they taught in my school years ago. I hate that! I rather someone knows ASL as a natural signer then they are ready to teach.
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Yes and I notice that is people who became deaf later who don't think a deaf person would be a better teacher for a deaf student. (And this is not sarcasm, but my more polite anwser the question.)
 
Bottesini said:
Sorry . You will get used to me. It was a radical statement that is sarcasm. I thought the question was one that really did not need answered.

(but it is truth that what "postsfromhell" avatar fingerspelled is a little naughty}
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D'oh! I just didn't get the sarcasm part of it :) Sometimes I can be a little slow.

Anytime I need to know the dirty signs, I'm coming to you :lol:


Also, I think it depends on the subject being taught, to some extent. Like, if the person is teaching about sign language or deaf culture, then I would want them to be deaf. Is that wrong of me? I just had a deaf culture class taught by a hearing woman who, though nice, was very out of touch with the deaf culture. Everything she told us was about 20 or 30 years old. Not helpful at all!
 
nope said:
D'oh! I just didn't get the sarcasm part of it :) Sometimes I can be a little slow. I was a little afraid that you were being serious...

Anytime I need to know the dirty signs, I'm coming to you :lol:
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No I am an old lady! I never use that kind of signing!!!:lol:
 
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