Well, on Monday I embark on my new career path with Leander ISD. I am excited about this new adventure, but also just a bit apprehensive. Will I be what they expect? I hope not. I hope to be much much more than what they are expecting.
I am going to be working in a capacity that I have never worked before. I will be attending ARD meetings and working more with parents and staff than actual direct contact with the kids. I must admit to being a bit sad about this. I love my students and working directly with them, so this change is one that I am sad about, but I know I will be working to touch even more kids in this new role.
So, Monday morning will be my first day. I certainly hope it is all that I hope for it to be and much much more. I hope to use my talents and abilities to improve what is already there, and to simply build upon the work that has already been begun there.
Well, I guess I will post soon and we will see how things are going!!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Communication Skills Workshop
In less than an hour I leave to go teach my third and final CSW (Communication Skills Workshop) for the year at Texas School for the Deaf. CSW is something I look forward to all year. It gives me the chance to work with others in my field who want to improve themselves, and I'm always excited about that.
I have noticed something a little different this year though. I seem to have developed an even greater passion for making sure the interpreters that I work with feel good about themselves. In our profession, it is SO easy to get down and start thinking that you/we/I are not good enough. I've had people come through my classes last week who were so down because I happen to teach a class that is the nemesis to all interpreters it seems (voice interpreting). It's very nerve wracking and I feel bad when people get upset.
Last week, I actually started to cry in one class when I had a student who had done a very good job with the interpreting, yet she could not find one good thing to say about herself. It made me angry. Not at her, but just at the idea that we've gotten ourselves to this state. The state that if I'm not as good as so and so, then I have no worth in this profession. How did "so and so" get where they are today? EVERY interpreter who has ever become a level 5 or a master, or NIC Master..or whatever, has sat in the same seats as the beginner participants. (Excluding those that are CODAs) and even some CODAs struggle. So, we ALL started in the same place, and it just takes time, work and hanging out with Deaf adults to improve.
I don't know why this has got me all worked up. Could be because of my own insecurities regarding my abilities (I'm quite sure that is it). So, I'm basically preaching to myself here too.
Okay, enough for my rant for the day. I just needed to say that before I head into one more week. A week filled with eager folks looking to learn as much as they can and it's my job to pump them full of information, and help them to fulfill their potential!
I have noticed something a little different this year though. I seem to have developed an even greater passion for making sure the interpreters that I work with feel good about themselves. In our profession, it is SO easy to get down and start thinking that you/we/I are not good enough. I've had people come through my classes last week who were so down because I happen to teach a class that is the nemesis to all interpreters it seems (voice interpreting). It's very nerve wracking and I feel bad when people get upset.
Last week, I actually started to cry in one class when I had a student who had done a very good job with the interpreting, yet she could not find one good thing to say about herself. It made me angry. Not at her, but just at the idea that we've gotten ourselves to this state. The state that if I'm not as good as so and so, then I have no worth in this profession. How did "so and so" get where they are today? EVERY interpreter who has ever become a level 5 or a master, or NIC Master..or whatever, has sat in the same seats as the beginner participants. (Excluding those that are CODAs) and even some CODAs struggle. So, we ALL started in the same place, and it just takes time, work and hanging out with Deaf adults to improve.
I don't know why this has got me all worked up. Could be because of my own insecurities regarding my abilities (I'm quite sure that is it). So, I'm basically preaching to myself here too.
Okay, enough for my rant for the day. I just needed to say that before I head into one more week. A week filled with eager folks looking to learn as much as they can and it's my job to pump them full of information, and help them to fulfill their potential!
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