The intersection of competition and culture
A conference basketball tournament hosted by Kentucky School for the Deaf gives participants not only the opportunity to play for a championship, but also the chance to immerse themselves in Deaf culture.
Breaking a language barrier
A Jessamine County High School offered American Sign Language courses for the first time this year that could be used to fulfill a world language requirement.
Finding my new why
Frankfort Independent's Heidi Givens describes why she changed her teaching beliefs regarding the rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
KSD teacher says education is in her blood
Carla Lewis, a 1st-grade teacher at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, comes from a long line of educators. But it took an elective sign language course in college to cement her plans.
Hearing mission seeks to help those who need hearing aids
The Calipari Foundation, Hearing Solutions and The Starkey Foundation are organizing a hearing mission for needy children and adults who have a hearing loss but cannot afford hearing aids. School personnel are asked to help identify children in their schools who have a hearing loss but do not have hearing aids or who have hearing aids that are not working [...]
Deaf and hard of hearing students thrive with high expectations
Heidi Givens Throughout my time writing for Kentucky Teacher, I have tried to provide awareness about deafness and the education of students who are deaf and hard of hearing. I have done my best to give voice to this unique group of students and the community and culture they represent. With September 22-29 being National Deaf Awareness Week, I deem [...]
National Deaf History Month offers opportunity to learn, share Deaf history with your students
Heidi Givens (Editor’s note: When used as a cultural label, the word deaf is often written with a capital D in speech and sign. When used as a label for the audiological condition, it is written with a lower case d. This column uses the term Deaf/deaf in deference to the Deaf culture.) I am not much of [...]
Questions to ponder about how best to educate deaf and hard-of-hearing students
Heidi Givens I spent Christmas Break catching up on some professional reading. Yes, I am an incessant learner. There are so many advances in our field that if we do not keep abreast of the recent research and practices, we are doing a disservice to our students. One book in particular that fascinated me is How Deaf Children [...]
Kentucky Elementary School Teacher of the Year ‘paying it forward’
Elementary School Teacher of the Year Heidi Givens works with 7th-grade students RayAnna Hutchins and Nycheala Smith on reading skills at College View Middle School (Daviess County).Photo by Amy Wallot, Nov. 27, 2012 Compassion, the concern over another person’s well-being, is a character trait all teachers hope to instill in students. We give of ourselves every day, not just [...]