I had a Deaf teacher one time (years ago) and he was horrible! He did not take his job seriously. It’s as if he was laughing (on the inside) at his group of paying hearing students- as if it were a joke. Instead of encoraging me to continue forth with my ASL learning he only succeeded in discouraging me. He totally turned me off to ASL and the Deaf culture in general...and you know what they say,
first impression last forever. He was not only my first Deaf teacher, but also the very first Deaf person I ever met! And he was awful.
Now my very first ASL class was conducted by a hearing woman. She was absolutely awesome. I did great in her class.
So now I have this complex that Deaf teachers all hate hearies...stupid I know. But it's what that Deaf teacher planted in me during his course. Of course I
am wrong (it is only a
feeling) about the false notion that Deaf teachers hate hearies; the feeling is not deeply rooted. But that Deaf instructor really did a number on my mind.
