Hello! My name is Miss Monica Weick (rhymes with bike)! I have been teaching since the beginning of the 2010-2011. I have taught a wide range from classroom to itinerant. I also worked a year as an educational ASL-English Interpreter. In addition, my sister is Deaf, I learn so much from watching her life.

My passion is accessibility. Accessibility to language, content, learning, and life. Deaf (and hard of hearing) individuals are no different than their peers (with 'normal' hearing) as long as that person has 100% access to language (incidentally and explicitly) with peers and adults. Language is a Human Right. It's critical that we don't accept sub par language skills just because a child is deaf (or hard of hearing). Language deprivation is never intentional, however, it causes life-long issues and is 100% avoidable.

I also firmly believe that a parent needs to know and understand ALL the options for their child. Parents are a child's first advocate, but 90% of DHH children are born to hearing parents that have never met a deaf/hard of hearing child. Don't let a lack of accessible language be the reason your child may struggle.

My Qualifications

P.S. Did you know you, in Indiana, you can look up a teacher's or educational interpreter's credentials? All you need is their name and this website.

I SPEAK ASL, Let Me Explain...

I saw this video, "We Need To Stop Using ASL" and it got me thinking... Our words matter. I want to use my knowledge of the English language to help others see that signed languages are just as valuable and robust as every other language.

Keep in mind the word speak has to do with expressive language much more than it has to do with our mouths.

So watch both videos and keep an open mind. Think about the connotation our words have and think about how others (who aren't involved in the Deaf community) may perceive it. <3

Another resource - Oral Fixation, Joseph Wheeler - ASL That.