Contact us at central@alrid.org
Bringing together diverse members of the Interpreting and Deaf communities, we will identify challenges in the K-12 setting and collectively explore strategies to address them.
Lunch will be provided.
Target Audience: Interpreters, ITP Students, Teachers of the Deaf, Deaf Community
Your registration is not complete until payment is made. Deadline to register is April 16, 2022.
0.475 RID CEUs offered
Upon registration, you understand that there are no refunds unless the workshops are cancelled.
Information about Moderator/Panelists:
Yasmine Desir
A Grady, Al native, Yasmine's curiosity for ASL was piqued after volunteering with members of Deaf community at the age of 15. After graduating highschool, she decided to do something with that curiosity and pursued a degree at Troy University. In 2018 she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in science with a focus in Interpreter Training. For 2 years she worked in the Dothan, Al as a contract interpreter and as the part time interpreter for the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Dothan Regional Center. After relocating back to her hometown of Grady, Al in 2020, she continued to work as a contract interpreter, when the timing allows. Now she works full-time for the Montgomery Public School System as one of their educational interpreters.
Pat Smartt
Pat has worked in the educational interpreting field for over 35 years and this venue still has a special place in her heart. She holds the following certifications: RID CI, CT, NIC Advanced, Ed-K 12, NAD Level IV, and holds the QMHI, Qualified Mental Health Interpreter, certification. In addition of her graduation from the Troy ITP, she has attended several specialty training programs including: EICP, Educational Interpreter Certificate Program, University of Northern Colorado, Legal Interpreting Training Program, Front Range Community College, Leadership Supervision Certificate Program, University of Northern Colorado, and the Certificate in Healthcare Interpreting Program at NTID/RID.
Caren Carr
Caren Carr is a graduate of Troy University’s Interpreter Training Program. She has worked as an educational interpreter in the state of Alabama for three years. In 2021 Caren began taking classes to obtain a master’s degree in Interpreter studies at Western Oregon University.
Brian Moss
Brian “BAM” Moss, BSW, is the Visual Gestural Specialist I for the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Office of Deaf Services. BAM grew up in the mainstream school before attending Alabama School for the deaf. He graduated from Jacksonville State University with Bachelor of Social Work in 2019. Before returning to college to obtain his degree in Social Work, BAM worked as Deaf Care Work for several years under ADMH. He is very motivated to work closely with patients once again. In addition, he is currently pursuing the opportunity to become a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) in near future. BAM grew up in the mainstream school before attending Alabama School for the deaf.
Suzanne Wilkerson
My name is Suzanne Wilkerson. I am a sign language interpreter working for the Jefferson County Board of Education for the past 18 years. This experience has included K-5 through 12th grade in all subjects including sports. I have also interpreted in a variety of classes at the post-secondary level. In addition to my educational interpreting experience, I interpret in the community, at church and have taught private lessons. My sign education has included UAB Sign Language classes including SEE, ASL, PSE and Interpreter Training; University of Northern Colorado Educational Interpreter Certificate Program & Troy University Interpreter Training Program. I also took classes at UAB in the Medical Transcription Certificate Program. I am a member of RID, ALRID & GaRID. I have been married for 38 years & have four adult daughters. My interest in sign language began when I was 12 years old when a lady came to my church and taught the youth how to sign a song. I thought it was beautiful. Following that introduction, I took community classes at Jefferson State Community College. With the exception of a few years when my children were small, I have been interpreting for approximately 30 years.
Johnny Jackson
Johnny Jackson was born hearing and became Deaf at 7 months of age. Originally from New York, he moved with his family to Alabama when he was 11. He attended Paul W. Bryant High School and received a B.A. in Mathematics from Gallaudet University in 2012. He is well versed in a variety of sign languages: Cued Speech, ESL, SEE, ASL, BSL (British Sign Language) and CSL (Chinese Sign Language). He is a member of the National Student Honor Society and received a Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Award receiving $1,500 as a Class 5A in the Achievement Athlete Division. He has been a Math teacher for 10 years and just recently moved back to Alabama.
Kai Christenberry
My name is Kai Christenberry, and I was born in Qingdao, China; it is a beautiful city. I moved to America when I was 13 years old. I attended Oak Mountain middle and high school with interpreters, including sports. Then I graduated from Gallaudet Univerity with received Bachelor of Science in Physical education and Recreation degree and was running track, swimming, and cross country. Now I currently work here at ASD as a physical education teacher.
