Currently I am a full time interpreter in the Department of Access Services at N.T.I.D/R.I.T. I am on the Liberal Arts Non-Academic team. The Non Academic team predominately provides services for the NTID Office of the President, faculty, staff. Student focused and campus wide interpreting is assigned as well. Typical venues for our work include high visibility and high profile interpreting for conferences, Open Houses, campus visits from politicians and the community, various R.I.T/N.T.I.D Guest Speaker series, Dean's Council, Shared Governance meetings and faculty and staff meetings/trainings. I joined DAS in August of 2008 and am proud to be a member the largest pool of post secondary interpreters in the world.
Prior to my employment at RIT I was a full time freelance interpreter since 1995. I began my professional career in my hometown of Utica, NY. Interpreting opportunities lead me to travel throughout NYS, from Albany to Syracuse and Watertown to Buffalo. These initial vast and varied assignments allowed to me interact with a wide spectrum of Deaf language users in a multitude of settings providing me with a rich environment in which to practice my language use and interpreting skills. I was fortunate to encounter many generous Deaf individuals and team interpreters who fostered my growth as novice interpreter. In 1998 the opportunity to settle in Rochester, NY allowed me to continue my freelance career in the unique hub of Deafness and Interpreting that comprises the city.
I received my training at The Bi-Cultural Center in Maryland with M.J. Bienvenu and Betty Colonomos. As well, I completed coursework for Gallaudet's Master's Degree program for Interpretation. I trained full time in the Maryland/D.C area from 1993-1995 taking advantage of the many ASL and Interpreting workshop and professional development opportunities. I believe an Interpreter's training and professional growth is never complete and I continue to seek out training opportunities that are relevant and emerging models of practice and work experiences that challenge my growth in the field.
I also believe the many life experiences an interpreter brings into their career enhance the broad knowledge base needed to do the job well, the proverbial "jack of all trades". In my 'life before sign language" I enjoyed a variety of work and volunteer experiences. In high school I worked in retail women's clothing; wonderful customer service training that allows me to engage with people in a service orientation to this day. I studied Therapeutic Recreation and Business Administration in college. While pursuing my degree I was an active docent at the Utica Zoo which led me to yearly summer employment in the Animal Education Department. I taught Zoo Summer Camps for children aged 5-12, gave Zoo Tours and presented Animal Education Shows to weekend crowds of 100+ people. Nothing will prepare you for the unexpected like being urinated on by a shy opossum or getting a 5 foot boa constrictor's head stuck in your hoop earring in front of a crowd. As part of my studies I volunteered in an Easter Seals swimming program for children with Cerebral Palsy and a horse back riding program for children with emotional disturbances. Learning to give back to the community and work with people of varied abilities is a rewarding experience regardless of your career field. Lastly, my first full time job was as a therapeutic recreations specialist working with adults in an day treatment program who had developmental delays. It was there I first encountered people with communication challenges that led me to take my first ASL class. It was 'love at first sight' with this spectacular visual language, a feeling that remains in me to this day.
