Deaf Education Teachers - Help ensure that educational interpreters are treated as professionals

In many schools, it is hard for interpreters to be seen as professionals. Sometimes, because many do not have a college degree, classroom teachers can misunderstand the level of training it takes to become a competent interpreter. Classroom interpreters with excellent skills have often learned them the hard way – through lots of individual study and work.

It benefits the deaf/hoh student and the educational team if educational interpreters come to viewed as a professional in the school. The deaf educator can help the larger school community understand the extensive learning that is required to become even a minimally qualified interpreter.