Outschool, Tutoring, American Sign Language

I have started tutoring American Sign Language. I offer classes as well that cover the basics along with culture and grammar. 

Here is an overview of my classes:

One Time classes: These range between 15-20 dollars depending on how long I've been teaching it. 

Classes:

How do I Sign: Animals

How do I Sign: Animals (Ages 10-13)

The Alphabet in a Day: ASL Crash Course

How do I Sign: Foods

Multi-Day Classes: These range from $48-$150

ASL Interpreting: All about ITP programs

ASL Beginner

ASL: Level 2

ASL Kids Class (6-10)

Ongoing Classes: $15 a week

American Sign Language Chat: Eat, Drink, and Sign. 

Flex Classes: The one I have in progress is $200 for 10 weeks. 

WIP

What is Outschool like? We use Zoom to teach the classes and a message board to interact with the students. I love teaching on this site. They do take a 30% listing fee. I set aside 20% for my taxes and 10% for tithe at church, so a total of 60% comes out of my paycheck. 

I am mainly using Outschool to pay off my student loans and to add into savings for emergencies. My husband just started work, so it is always good to have a backup plan. 

Update

I graduated college in the midst of Covid-19. I finished out my semester online. I faced many issues like other people do, I lost my job at the library (which I loved), I was forced to wear a mask (Despite the fact my asthma makes it hard to breath (I'm allergic to mold, mildew is a trigger as well)), I had to search desperately for new jobs, I had a big move, and I also got married!

I was married on June 5th, 2020 in Texas. My church was in a county that had looser restrictions on churches and businesses. We were able to get married in the church with quite a few friends and family there. While his family was unable to come down, we still had a lovely wedding. 

I did pick up a job in April, I am teaching on an online platform called Outschool.com. This platform caters to children between the ages of 3-18. I teach mainly between the ages of 5-15. I am teaching American Sign Language. This was not my ideal plan, but in the state of Texas the only people currently allowed to interpret are BEI level 5 or CODAs. Since I am not even certified at level one, I am opting for teaching until I can certify. When I do certify, I plan on interpreting mainly church services. 

Since I've been married we moved about 5 hours away from my parents and 27 hours away from my husband's. It's been really hard on him because he lived in the same place for 24 years. He needs prayer as he is also looking hard for a job. A lot of places here are on a hiring freeze. (Texas) He is looking for anything at this point. 

I need prayer as well because I have been missing my family. My older sister is my best friend and she is one year older than me (26), I miss my two brothers (14, 16), and my baby sister (3, almost 4). I also miss my family quite a bit. 

Also, with each new milestone in my life, I miss my Nana. She died on October 2012. She wasn't there for either graduation, my first, second, or third jobs, she wasn't there for my marriage or first house. I often describe her as my superhero. We got along great and I miss her a lot. The hardest was when we were planning the wedding. All I could think of was how much I wanted Nana to be there. 

Me and my new husband could use lots of prayer as we try and figure out what direction our lives are heading in. We also need prayer on making sure everything is about the glory of God. 

What I've learned about Interpreting.

When I first started this major, I did not have a full understanding of what it meant to be an interpreter. I had seen spoken language interpreters from the time I was young and I had seen sign language interpreters on and off throughout my life. I thought I knew what they did, but I was wrong.

When I started taking my American Sign Language (ASL) classes, I thought interpreting would be easy. It was simply doing word for word from English to sign and sign to English, right? No. Then I attended my first Deaf event. I was a level 1 ASL student which is the equivalent to level 0. I had very basic understanding. When I arrived, I was lost. I found the table, but I had no idea what was going on.

It seemed very loud, but when I looked around it was quiet in the restaurant. The visual noise sounded like auditory noise to me. The ASL 4 student that saw me there was impressed because I came. Almost nobody from my level would come to the Deaf events. I had a very basic understanding of sign. That day I learned so many new signs and my receptive skills were tested. I loved it. But it wasn't interpreting.

When I got to ASL 3+4 (combo class) I was considered talented in my receptive. I could understand at a level 6 level but could only produce at a level 4 level. It appears that my ability with oral languages has translated into my signed languages. An ability to understand and retain, but an inability to produce.

When I finally got to the college I am at now, I did pass all my ASL classes and still have. But when I started my first real interpreting class, I started to drown. The process of interpreting is very difficult and is not for the weak of heart or mind. You need an exceptional grasp of the vocabulary and vocal range.

Interpreting isn't just language mediation. It is also cultural mediation, expressing emotions accurately, conveying jokes that might not translate, and making human connections. If you aren't good at one of those things, it can skew the entire message.

Interpreting is hard, exhausting, but rewarding. Everyone should have the opportunity to take interpreting classes, even if they never become interpreters. 

Why I'm considering a different major

I started questioning if I wanted to be an interpreter this year. I have been in my classes and struggled with them since I got here. I have noticed an early burn out in myself and I am not sure I can handle this major as it stands. Here are some reasons why:

1. I am an introvert and this program chews us up and spits us out.
2. I've been struggling with my mental health since the second semester of my first year when I was sexually harassed. Then I was in a toxic situation with a roommate the next semester that sent me in a downward spiral that I've been struggling to get out of since.
3. I only ever wanted communication. I never wanted anything more than that. Interpreting was other people's dream for me. I convinced myself it was my own.
4. I can still work with Deaf people, I just am not sure this major is right for me.
5. I can't afford college.

The ones that have affected me the most are numbers 1, 2, and 3. The last two are important, but not as important as the first three. The hardest part about this will be telling my dad. My dad is my hero, I respect him. But the problem is, he tends to take things too personally. So, I already told my mom. She supports me in whatever I do. I am writing a letter to my dad because that's easier for him to read through. Sometimes certain tones or looks makes him feel challenged even though that's not what my intent is. Letters are easier and less intimidating.

I know I'm about to be the biggest disappointment there is. But I guess my therapist can hear all about it while I'm still here. 

Anyone ever feel like they're being used?

I think everyone has that one friend in college. They always want rides, depend on you too heavily, are always asking to hang out. I never liked being that friend, at one point in my life I probably was. I felt like I was anyway, my friends always told me I wasn't a bother. (I think I only asked for rides a few times, I usually liked to try and figure it out on my own.)

Well, currently I have a friend like this. She is always wanting rides from me, companionship, or affirmation. I didn't realize, when getting into this friendship, that I'd end up being her only source of friendship. I've encouraged interaction beyond me, but she doesn't seem to understand that I really am not required to help her.

If I decide to refuse to give her a ride somewhere or make her take the bus, she becomes agitated. Thankfully I don't live with her. She has also been open with the fact that she gossips about me to her friends. She usually uses cuss words to describe my behavior, even though I RARELY refuse to help her. The only time she "accepts" it is if I'm sick.

I can't think of a graceful way to end this friendship. We are in 90% of the same classes. I am trying to find sections of classes I need that are separate from hers so I don't need to deal with her 24/7.

I do feel like I'm being used. I know if I told her she'd find a way to turn it back on me. So, I've decided to remain quiet. I've given rides to other friends before and they've always been nice about it. Even if I need to back out, I tell them hours beforehand so they can find another ride. I've even negotiated rides with other people just so they wouldn't be left without help.

This friend says things then, "I'm joking". I have a feeling I accidentally placed myself in the hands of a bully and I can't get myself out of it. It's a super weird position to be in. 

Men in the interpreting field

In a woman dominated field, where do men fit? I would love to see more men in this field because there are so few. In my graduating class we will have 3, which is a miracle. In the one before mine there is 1. The one before that there were 3. 

But how many of the men that go through my college for interpreting, stay with interpreting? That is a number we aren't as familiar with. My peer mentor decided to dual major in psychology because he wasn't sure he wanted to stay with interpreting. One interpreting student I know switched his major from interpreting to psychology while in his program, he wanted to be a psychologist instead.

But let me make this clear: Female interpreters wish there were more male interpreters in the field. We want male interpreters in the field. They bring other skills to the field that some of us may not have. There is also a large demand for male interpreters, especially in the medical field. That being said, we also need straight male teachers. The only straight male teacher I had for ASL was in my third semester, second year. He was one of the best teachers I've had to this point. His signing was sometimes sloppy, but my receptive skills improved more than with any other teacher. His feedback was fantastic and he always made sure to stick around after class to help me with my upcoming presentation.

I haven't had a teacher do that since. I now have an Interpreting 1 professor who is awesome, he does not teach ASL. He is also one of my favorite teachers because he takes the time to meet with students and help them improve.

So, honestly. Teaching, interpreting. Men, we need you in this field. Please, please, please start considering this as a valid option. 

Sexual Harrassment talks: Why are they necessary?

TW: Sexual Harassment, Rape, suicide

When arriving on my campus, I noticed that there were a lot more men than woman. I wasn't too worried at first, I grew up with men. I always got along better with guys, and orientation was no exception. Looking back on orientation now, there was one orientation leader who was way too friendly. So much so that my orientation leader wouldn't leave me alone with him. Not that I wanted to be near him anyway, he was acting very unusual.

My second semester I started a dance class. It all went well, there was this one guy who was super attentive and flirty. At first, I was flattered and amused. Flirting is hilarious to me, so I would laugh. Did you know that can be taken as flirting back? I was unaware. He also started to put his hands places where he shouldn't of. It wasn't necessary for the dance, which I only know because my teacher had to keep moving his hands.

The last day of classes was when it all came to a head. He came on hard, placed his hands places he shouldn't while making comments I did not feel comfortable with. It got to the point where I was afraid he might try and rape me. I had never felt that way about a man before, that he could and would hurt me. I did throw a punch, he dodged it and backed right off. After class he left like his pants were on fire.

To this day I am still bothered by it. I can't walk to my car at night anymore without my heart racing. What if he's there? What if I can't get away this time? When walking near the frats, I find myself walking a little faster with my eyes on the ground. Hoping that if he does happen to be there, he won't recognize me.

I was angry for days afterward. I couldn't get over it. I even wrote out a "note" and than deleted it from my computer.

My class recently had a sexual harassment talk. I think they are necessary, but why are we giving this presentation to the girls? I don't need to be told that it's wrong, I am well aware. I don't need to be reminded how to stay alert, I never stopped. We need to give these talks to our young men so these situations don't happen. And we need to teach them how to intervene if they see something happening.

Maybe everyone needs these talks, but I think the way we go about doing them is a bit off. 

Shy People and ASLIE programs

When I first started on my road to learning American Sign Language, I was not intending on becoming an interpreter. I am shy and considered that it may be a setback for interpreting. I did not think I could get around my limitations.

The sad fact is that my ASL interpreting program did nothing to dissuade me from that thought process. I still applied and made it into my interpreting program, I have made it to my third year. However, they are not friendly towards introverts or shy individuals. As I have gone through my program they have led me to believe that I would be no good at my job. Many teachers even questioned if I'd make it to my third year.

But as I've gone through this program I have met individuals that are shy/introverted who are successful interpreters.  There are not many of us, but we are the few who have defied expectations. A quote from my one teacher, "When I first started interpreting, I would puke in the bathroom before each assignment. I am very introverted, so it is possible for shy people to do this job." And a quote from another professor, "It isn't me speaking, it is the Deaf person. That mentality has helped me a lot as I suffer from extreme anxiety."

So, honestly, don't allow anyone to tell you that just because you are shy, that you cannot interpret. It is possible, it just means we have to try harder than other people.

My second year, I almost dropped out. After spring semester, I was worn out. I was tired, stressed, and felt like it was impossible. My advisor set me up to interpret for a Deaf woman at a church camp. Initially, I was only supposed to be doing conversations. I ended up doing church services. Those three weeks were what revived my desire to be with and interpret for the Deaf community. I had to be reminded why I was doing it.

Access to speech, church services, conversations, and presentations are a human need. Equal access is important because without it, where are we? Even as hearing people, we feel left out. Imagine what it is like to not even understand the language, yet still have the feeling of being left out.

This is easy for me to write in my fall semester when I get a TON of breaks. However, in the spring semester I'm sure I'll go through all the same doubts and fears that I did last year. I know spring is rough, but hang in there. Maybe we can all make it out together.