Illness and online teaching

Is illness still a valid reason to miss teaching online? I would propose that yes, it is a valid reason. If you are sick enough that you are unable to focus, you should not be teaching any kind of material. I bring this up because today I am feeling sick. Sick from what? I am nauseous and unable to focus on almost anything. 

I canceled both my classes today and uploaded a video of the lesson in the moments when I felt good enough to do it. All my students and their parents were very compassionate and understanding. Part of the reason is probably because I have never missed a class and have been between 5-15 minutes early on a regular basis. 

Are you a bad teacher because you miss a class due to illness? No. Sometimes you just can't make it to class, no matter how badly you want to. 

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. 

Being home

Since I have been home, I've met more people than I thought I could. My dad is an elder at this church, and I have met some of the church members. Some of them I knew, but most of them I didn't. I have been home for about four days and have been massively overwhelmed.

However, I met a Deaf woman at church and it has been a pleasure to communicate with her. She came right up to me and started signing, it is well known in this church that I've been learning. She was happy that I could sign and I was happy to have a Deaf friend here.

I have started sending out emails to different interpreting agencies to see what their screening processes are like. I am going to try and take the certification anyway, but in the meantime I am going to make sure to practice often. I also plan on being with the Deaf community until then.

I still would like to work with elderly people. I feel like I could at least volunteer at nursing homes and other places that cater directly to the elderly.

I am also still applying at non-profits in Texas. I am hoping that I can find work here in some sphere with Deaf people specifically. 

Illness

For the past week I've had pneumonia. Ironically, this was the first illness where every professor had pity because of the coughing. All of them understand my asthma problems combined with pneumonia causes a gross and possibly deadly mix.

I went to the doctor because my father told me to. I was talking to him on the phone and he said, "Sam, you need to go to the doctor TODAY." So, I did as I was told. It was a good thing I did because I had a breathing treatment and a steroid shot. They also gave me a fever reducer to try and help, as I had an 102 fever.

I finished my steroid and I believe it is just the antibiotic I am finishing up. I still have the awful cough, but it is finally starting to go away. It is worst at night and first thing in the morning. But we're getting there.

I have also officially decided to switch majors. I am switching to a different school, it will be a general Bachelors of Science degree. I will also finish in the Spring of 2020.

I am hoping to work with the older Deaf community and be an advocate for their wellness and care. I am hoping that I can impact that community and cause their care to become superior. 

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. 

Cued Speech: What it is and What it isn't.

There is a lot of controversy in the Deaf communities and Interpreting communities about cued speech. Cued speech is a method of communication/learning that is like captioning for the mouth. For a full explanation of cued speech, here is the link.

Cued speech is often used in the school settings when teaching the child basic English language skills. Cued speech has been proven to help teach Deaf kids how to read and write. It can also help with English language development. HOWEVER, not all Deaf kids can learn to speak. That is important to remember when using ANY oral or signed system.

Cued Speech is NOT its own language and should not be used as one. Cued is showing English on the face, or like I said before, captions on the face. It simply helps with lipreading and phonics. Like anything, it is not an End All, Be All type of thing.

ASLIE programs and new hidden illnesses.

I would like to discuss how some teachers in an interpreting program handle new illnesses.

(As a disclaimer: I'm aware having a doctors note is the standard for missing class. However, when it is a new illness and you have an appointment with a specialist, that should count in place of a note.)

Most of my teachers have been good when it comes to sickness. When I do get sick, I provide a note if it's bad enough that I can't come to class, but can see a doctor. However, I have had an stomach ailment for about 3 months now. I went to the doctor when it started (stomach pain, vomiting, frequent trips to the bathroom) and they thought it was appendicitis or gallbladder. They did not find anything, so I was given pro-biotics and sent home. The pro-biotics did not help.

So, I went to the doctor again and they gave me a referral to the gastroenterologist. I will be seeing them next month. Last time I went to the doctor, they told me it was a stomach flu. The lady told me this after she reviewed everything, then told me it should only last about a week.

She ignored the fact I had this for over 2 months. So, this all leads up to my point: I currently have a hidden illness that doctors can't really pinpoint. Does that mean its fake? No. I can bring a sample of my stool if that's really what they want. I recently had to miss my ASL class which is in the morning. I have only missed once and I provided a note. The teacher acted annoyed that I missed her class and reminded me of a need for a note if I want it to be excused. Which is logical, however, if I go to the doctor, what are they going to tell me? That I have had the stomach flu for 3 months? That I need to go on the BRAT diet? (Bananas, rice, (a?), Toast) Which I have done off and on, but you can't really survive off of that forever.

I have a class tonight where attendance is required. Healing my body throughout the day is necessary so I can do that.

How can I let a teacher know at the beginning of the semester that I have a problem, if even the doctors don't know what it is?

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.