Hands that speak: Bridging worlds

by Milly Ferreira I 12/04/2024

At Oakwood Enrichment Academy in Atascadero, Jillian Havandijan has been breaking barriers and opening new doors for young students by teaching American Sign Language. Her journey as the only deaf staff member teaching hearing children between the ages of three to 13 is one of resiliency, discovery, and the transformative power of education.

How it All Began
The journey for Jillian into teaching ASL was an accidental one. Her close friend Kristina, now her boss, four years ago came to her with the suggestion of opening a school and inviting her to teach ASL.

"At first, I was hesitant," Havandijan admits. "I thought, 'I'm not a teacher, especially not for hearing children.' It felt impossible." However, Christina convinced her to give it a shot. Anxiously, Jillian took the leap.

The first day was a bit nerve-wracking. "I was so nervous," Jillian recounts. "The kids had no signing skills whatsoever, but they were eager and motivated to learn." Slowly but surely, the children began to pick up signs, and Jillian found out how fast young children adapt. This experience marked the beginning of a journey to redefine her sense of purpose and capability.

Teaching Without an Interpreter

One of the first challenges for Jillian was communicating effectively without an interpreter to support her. An interpreter joined her class on the first day to help set a tone and explain to both students and their instructor how their communication would work. Jillian introduced her teaching methods: visual learning, finger spelling, and lots of interactive immersion.

In time, her students learned their signs well and how to respond to hers. "If new students joined in and didn't know how to interact with me, the others would help guide them through," Jillian shares. What this did was not only enable learning but also build a strong, connected classroom community.

Connecting With Students

The relationship Jillian has formed with her students has been very important to her success. She stresses the importance of a nurturing environment where the children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.

"Every week, we discuss their lives, what they are doing over the weekend, foods they enjoy, or maybe activities they like," Jillian explains. "It was amazing to see them grow, and improve, not just in signing, but in confidence.

Her students seem to equally adore her, too. One of them, Desiree O'Down, a 9th grader, shares her feelings on learning ASL, "It's amazing to be able to communicate with someone that not everybody can talk to or understand," she said.

Another student, Easton Woeste, has also revealed the practicality of it, "Instead of screaming for 100 yards, I can just sign in sign language, and the other person would be like, 'Okay.'"

These reflections underline the sense of empowerment and connection ASL provides for hearing students, bridging gaps in communication and expanding their ability to interact with the world.

The Role of Coworkers and Community

As the only deaf staff member, Jillian relies on creative communication methods with her co-workers. "We primarily use texting to communicate with each other," she says. Over time, many of them have learned some basic signs, just by being around her, watching her.

This gradual shift reflects the broader impact of having a deaf educator on the school community. By simply being present and engaging, Jillian has inspired her coworkers to embrace ASL as a tool for connection.

Why Deaf Instructors Are Irreplaceable

Jillian firmly believes that deaf instructors bring something unique and irreplaceable to teaching ASL. “I have to say that of all the teachers who can teach ASL, deaf instructors are by far the best,” she asserts. “Hearing teachers just can’t do it as well.”

"You know, if you teach kids at three or four, they might be a little shy at first," she says. "But by six, seven, or eight, their signing gets better, and pretty soon, they're signing almost fluently. It's like opening up a whole new world for them."

The Rewards of Teaching

Despite the challenges, Jillian finds great joy in her work. She takes pride in seeing her students develop from complete beginners into confident communicators. The immersive activities she incorporates, such as games, storytelling, and conversations, make learning fun for all concerned.

The progress her students make is not only learning the nuances of ASL but much more; it's building bridges, it's creating a better understanding. "Teaching helped me to be a better person," Jillian says. "The interaction with my students has been so rewarding."

A Call For More Deaf Educators

Jillian's story shows how representation matters in school environments. She also hopes more schools will hire deaf instructors.

“I really hope everybody continues to invite deaf teachers into the world everywhere,” she says. “I’d love to see that more and more.”

Jillian's four years at Oakwood Enrichment Academy serve to remind us of the changes possible through inclusive education. She has taught her students to be patient, creative, and dedicated in their learning of ASL and to see the world from a different perspective. Her story is a testament to a belief in oneself and space for all educators, regardless of their ability, to thrive.

Oakwood is very lucky to have Jillian, a teacher whose passion, perseverance, and authenticity have enriched the lives of everyone she works with. Her journey serves as an inspiring example of how one person can make a lasting difference.

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