I am blessed to have been called to a lifelong career of working as an interpreter, instructor for individuals who are Deaf, and teacher of ASL. In 1992 I received my B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida.  I later returned to earn a M.A., Counselor Education, in 2000 and recently received my Ph.D. in Adult Education, with a focus in applied linguistics. My research was pertaining to "The Relationship of Attitudes and Perspectives of University Student Towards Deaf People Before and After Studying Basic American Sign Language".  Work experience includes having taught Deaf Adults basic living skills, GED course work, Driver's Education, and English as a Second Language.  I have taught ASL in Adult Education, and was the first full-time High School American Sign Language instructor in Hillsborough County.  During the ten years at the high school I sponsored an ASL club, assured ASL 3 students received honor points, participated on the Student Advisory Committee, conducted workshops for ASL instructors amongst other activities and events. For seven years, I taught ASL at the University of South Florida. Also, my experience includes interpreting professionally in the state of Florida (QA).  A glimpse into the differences between mediating communication and interpreting can be found in the article I co-authored, Green, S., Brightman, B. & Kassner, K.(2012). "Sweetheart, I wish you could text without help": Mediating emotional communications within the context of close relationships. Disability Studies Quarterly,(32)2,http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3190/3074#top 
                                                                                    

    On a personal note, I learned the Rochester Method, use of the fingerspelling and speech, at age three by visiting the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind with my profoundly D/deaf brother.  After moving to Tampa at age eight, and attending a church with many Deaf members, watching my mother become involved with the ministry and sign with my brother, I began Signing Exact English.  I progressed to signing Pidgin Signed English/Contact Signing and ASL by interacting with family members. Also, I studied ASL during my collegiate years. My husband and I have six children, two are Hard- of-Hearing, one profoundly Deaf, and three Hearing.  My husband was raised in a home as the only hearing person with ASL as his first language. Our profoundly Deaf daughter and her cousins are proud to be part of at least the ninth generation in the family to be Deaf.  I enjoy spending time with family, children and grandchildren.  BBQ's are always a great way to get together and socialize.