Miss-Delectable
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Deaf Vineland student learns art of cooking with interpreter's help
Having Luis Franco in a culinary arts class at Cumberland County Technical Education Center has proven to be a learning experience for three people.
Deaf since birth, Franco, 20, of Vineland, graduated from Vineland High School last year, but through a special education program, he's been able to continue his education for two years at CCTEC.
His educational interpreter, Angela Jones, 36, of Vineland, who is employed by the Vineland School District, said she is learning many new words such as French culinary terms which she practices at home.
The third member of the team is Jeffrey Knerr, 30, of Hopewell Township, the culinary arts instructor.
Knerr emphasized that he gives 110 percent or more to his work and expects that of his students.
"I understand Luis because I had a disability growing up, but I treat Luis just as I do any other student, and he responds well," Knerr said.
With his ever-present smile, Franco responds to the reporter's questions and Knerr's comments, with Jones interpreting them.
"I really like cooking and wanted to learn more about it," Franco signed. "I love it here, and I hope after I graduate from this program to go to Gallaudet University or Rochester Institute of Technology."
"Next year, I will be able to join in more cooking competitions and that will help me get into college," Franco signed.
"I'm going to keep you here another seven years," quipped Knerr.
On a more serious note, Knerr said he strongly encourages his students to get more education at colleges with culinary programs.
Knerr said he will sit with students and parents to fill out paperwork to try to get scholarships for his students.
Franco has found the hardest things to cook are meat and other entrees.
"I'm fascinated with baking," he signed. "Decorating cakes is my specialty. It's hard, but I'm getting the hang of it now."
"I have a younger brother and sister who are both deaf," Franco related. His parents, however, aren't deaf, according to Franco.
"I learned sign language at Durand Elementary School (in Vineland)," signed Franco.
"He taught his brother and sister sign language," Jones said.
"Oh, yeah, and they're even better than me," Franco claimed.
"I feel that the Vineland schools were pretty good in providing me with my English skills," signed Franco. "I know when I leave school that to survive in the world English is very important."
Once Franco got to Vineland High School, he was mainstreamed. "I love playing chess," signed Franco. He played on the football team for two-and-a-half years and wrestled for a year.
"I'm not interested in sports, but I was his interpreter for both sports," Jones said. "I learned a lot about football and wrestling. I enjoy seeing Luis happy and for him to have access to programs that hearing students do."
Jones, who grew up in Cape May County, studied interpreting at Camden County College and has state certification in interpreting. She has been employed for five years by the Vineland school system.
"I fell in love with sign language and picked it up pretty easily," Jones said. Prior to working, she stayed home with her two sons, who are now 10 and 13 years old.
"Luis and I have been together for five years, but I also go into classes (in Vineland) and work with other deaf students," Jones said.
"This culinary arts class is fascinating, and if I had to decide on a second career option, I would choose this," Jones said. "I like the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle and the deadlines but not the heat in the kitchen in June."
"Chef Jeff is a wonderful teacher," Jones said. "He's always willing to accommodate Luis' needs."
"I commend him for trying to learn signs to communicate with me directly," Franco signed.
"We really get along great here," signed Franco. "There's a lot of joking and camaraderie. I really love the people here. We respect each other," Franco signed.
Having Luis Franco in a culinary arts class at Cumberland County Technical Education Center has proven to be a learning experience for three people.
Deaf since birth, Franco, 20, of Vineland, graduated from Vineland High School last year, but through a special education program, he's been able to continue his education for two years at CCTEC.
His educational interpreter, Angela Jones, 36, of Vineland, who is employed by the Vineland School District, said she is learning many new words such as French culinary terms which she practices at home.
The third member of the team is Jeffrey Knerr, 30, of Hopewell Township, the culinary arts instructor.
Knerr emphasized that he gives 110 percent or more to his work and expects that of his students.
"I understand Luis because I had a disability growing up, but I treat Luis just as I do any other student, and he responds well," Knerr said.
With his ever-present smile, Franco responds to the reporter's questions and Knerr's comments, with Jones interpreting them.
"I really like cooking and wanted to learn more about it," Franco signed. "I love it here, and I hope after I graduate from this program to go to Gallaudet University or Rochester Institute of Technology."
"Next year, I will be able to join in more cooking competitions and that will help me get into college," Franco signed.
"I'm going to keep you here another seven years," quipped Knerr.
On a more serious note, Knerr said he strongly encourages his students to get more education at colleges with culinary programs.
Knerr said he will sit with students and parents to fill out paperwork to try to get scholarships for his students.
Franco has found the hardest things to cook are meat and other entrees.
"I'm fascinated with baking," he signed. "Decorating cakes is my specialty. It's hard, but I'm getting the hang of it now."
"I have a younger brother and sister who are both deaf," Franco related. His parents, however, aren't deaf, according to Franco.
"I learned sign language at Durand Elementary School (in Vineland)," signed Franco.
"He taught his brother and sister sign language," Jones said.
"Oh, yeah, and they're even better than me," Franco claimed.
"I feel that the Vineland schools were pretty good in providing me with my English skills," signed Franco. "I know when I leave school that to survive in the world English is very important."
Once Franco got to Vineland High School, he was mainstreamed. "I love playing chess," signed Franco. He played on the football team for two-and-a-half years and wrestled for a year.
"I'm not interested in sports, but I was his interpreter for both sports," Jones said. "I learned a lot about football and wrestling. I enjoy seeing Luis happy and for him to have access to programs that hearing students do."
Jones, who grew up in Cape May County, studied interpreting at Camden County College and has state certification in interpreting. She has been employed for five years by the Vineland school system.
"I fell in love with sign language and picked it up pretty easily," Jones said. Prior to working, she stayed home with her two sons, who are now 10 and 13 years old.
"Luis and I have been together for five years, but I also go into classes (in Vineland) and work with other deaf students," Jones said.
"This culinary arts class is fascinating, and if I had to decide on a second career option, I would choose this," Jones said. "I like the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle and the deadlines but not the heat in the kitchen in June."
"Chef Jeff is a wonderful teacher," Jones said. "He's always willing to accommodate Luis' needs."
"I commend him for trying to learn signs to communicate with me directly," Franco signed.
"We really get along great here," signed Franco. "There's a lot of joking and camaraderie. I really love the people here. We respect each other," Franco signed.