(View ASL)
The ESS - Deaf Mentor provides information, models, and supports the development of visual communication, sign language, and Deaf culture with children and youth, families and educational teams. Working with learners, families, APSEA employees, and educational teams, the ESS - Deaf Mentor brings lived experience to support the understanding of Deaf cultural values and acts as a cultural role model and facilitator to the local Deaf community for the child and family through both virtual and in-person sessions.
- Provides Tier 1, 2, and 3 support for learners, families, APSEA employees, and educational teams.
- In collaboration with employees and families, supports the development and implementation of outcomes for children, youth, and families as they relate to ASL development, Deaf culture, self-advocacy, social skills, and post-secondary career and education options.
- Monitors and documents the child’s ASL language development with the family, EST-DHH, and ASL specialist.
- Provides exposure to and information regarding the local Deaf community and Deaf culture to children, youth, families, employees, and educational teams.
- Works closely with children and youth, in one-on-one and group settings, to develop strategies to enhance self-advocacy and success in school in a variety of settings.
- Acts as a language model for the Deaf child by interacting in ways that take advantage of their visual environment and provides strategies to support ASL development.
- Models’ opportunities and strategies to bridge auditory experiences into visual communication and ASL, and vice versa.
- Acts as a positive role model with respect to professionalism and involvement with families, children, and youth.
- Supports processes to create a safe, equitable, positive, and supportive learning environment in which diversities are valued.
- Fosters respectful, collaborative relationships between families and professionals.
- Participates in professional learning.