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This student’s gift is happily exchanged : Schools : Naples Daily News
Golden Gate Middle School student Jose Rodriguez received the ultimate Christmas gift this year – the gift of communication – thanks to students and staff.
Profoundly deaf since birth, Rodriguez’ Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classmates are learning sign language to better communicate with him. On Monday, Dec. 15, they put those new skills to use, signing and singing holiday songs for the whole student body on the school’s morning newscast. Rodriguez was joined by eight of his sixth grade classmates and accompanied by several horn players, under the direction of band instructor John Rosbottom.
According to sixth grade ESE language arts teacher Linda Maresh, her students have been excited and ambitious about learning a new language. She says their excitement grew out of watching Rodriguez communicate with his interpreter, Cheryl Youmans, who translates his lessons into American Sign Language.
“Every single thing I say is signed to Jose,” Maresh explains. “His interpreter is in my classroom a half hour before the first bell and she accompanies him even into physical education class. She is wonderful with him.”
Youmans has been an American Sign Language interpreter since 1980, graduating from a community college in Flint, Mich., and later earning her teaching certificate from the University of Michigan.
“This has definitely made all the students more sensitive to those with disabilities,” said Youmans. “We asked the students if they thought it was a good idea for hearing people to learn sign language and they all agreed it was, so they could communicate with the deaf.” Youmans helps Rodriguez understand the basic rules and procedures of an assignment, and then encourages him to work independently. Maresh says English class poses some unique challenges.
“When you are born deaf and have never heard sounds, learning a language program based on consonant and vowel sounds can be very difficult,” she says. “Jose is actually doing quite well, with her help.”
To make the most of Youman’s time in her class, Maresh asked her to teach some basic sign language to the other students.
“We could offer Jose some socialization opportunities to be able to sign back and forth at least a little bit and get to know the other kids,” Maresh says. “It not only helps Jose’s socialization skills and confidence, but it enables the other students to realize that his disability is very challenging and to learn sign language is extremely difficult.”
At this point, the students have learned some day-to-day sign language, as well as the signs for the holiday songs. The process has been eye-opening, according to Maresh. “I think they realize it is a major challenge and they respect Jose so much more,” she says.
Rodriguez has been in the Collier School system for three years and at Golden Gate Middle for two years. He is the only deaf person in his Spanish-speaking family. Although he signs in American Sign Language, his family uses “home signs” to communicate with him at home.
Golden Gate Middle School student Jose Rodriguez received the ultimate Christmas gift this year – the gift of communication – thanks to students and staff.
Profoundly deaf since birth, Rodriguez’ Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classmates are learning sign language to better communicate with him. On Monday, Dec. 15, they put those new skills to use, signing and singing holiday songs for the whole student body on the school’s morning newscast. Rodriguez was joined by eight of his sixth grade classmates and accompanied by several horn players, under the direction of band instructor John Rosbottom.
According to sixth grade ESE language arts teacher Linda Maresh, her students have been excited and ambitious about learning a new language. She says their excitement grew out of watching Rodriguez communicate with his interpreter, Cheryl Youmans, who translates his lessons into American Sign Language.
“Every single thing I say is signed to Jose,” Maresh explains. “His interpreter is in my classroom a half hour before the first bell and she accompanies him even into physical education class. She is wonderful with him.”
Youmans has been an American Sign Language interpreter since 1980, graduating from a community college in Flint, Mich., and later earning her teaching certificate from the University of Michigan.
“This has definitely made all the students more sensitive to those with disabilities,” said Youmans. “We asked the students if they thought it was a good idea for hearing people to learn sign language and they all agreed it was, so they could communicate with the deaf.” Youmans helps Rodriguez understand the basic rules and procedures of an assignment, and then encourages him to work independently. Maresh says English class poses some unique challenges.
“When you are born deaf and have never heard sounds, learning a language program based on consonant and vowel sounds can be very difficult,” she says. “Jose is actually doing quite well, with her help.”
To make the most of Youman’s time in her class, Maresh asked her to teach some basic sign language to the other students.
“We could offer Jose some socialization opportunities to be able to sign back and forth at least a little bit and get to know the other kids,” Maresh says. “It not only helps Jose’s socialization skills and confidence, but it enables the other students to realize that his disability is very challenging and to learn sign language is extremely difficult.”
At this point, the students have learned some day-to-day sign language, as well as the signs for the holiday songs. The process has been eye-opening, according to Maresh. “I think they realize it is a major challenge and they respect Jose so much more,” she says.
Rodriguez has been in the Collier School system for three years and at Golden Gate Middle for two years. He is the only deaf person in his Spanish-speaking family. Although he signs in American Sign Language, his family uses “home signs” to communicate with him at home.