Goals and Mission Statement

Mission Statement:

As an interpreter, I am dedicated. I consider myself to have the utmost devotion to the profession of an ASL/English interpreter. I continually strive to be better every day. Increasing my knowledge of the always evolving ASL and English languages, Deaf and American cultural, and current events.

I use the Code of Professional Conduct as a guide to my decision making. In my dedication to the profession, I hold myself accountable, to become better, to admit mistakes, to be honest, and to treat everyone as an equal. The CPC is a helping hand in pursuing keeping my integrity intact throughout the everyday trials of being an interpreter.

Living in the United States of America, as a white cis gendered male, I understand that I am privileged. In a society full of prejudice, bias, and stereotypes, I strive to be an ally. Opening my heart and mind to those who are not as privileged as I. Understanding different cultures, where they come from, who they are, and how they live, is of utmost importance and that adds to the value of my life.

The Deaf culture has been fighting for inclusion and equal opportunities for several decades. I strive to be involved with those in the community and make myself available as a supporter for those that are oppressed. The way for me to engage in an understanding of another culture is by being honest within. Looking into my own personal value system, experience, holding myself accountable for mistakes I have made, I can stand here today with a more complete sense of self. This also guides me when living everyday as an interpreter. I understand I am fallible, and the only thing I will perfect in my life, is imperfection.

My life consists of extraordinarily more failures than successes. All of which are valuable lessons when I look back upon them. Of course, there are always lessons to be learned in life, however do we as individuals fully comprehend, learn, and connect them to ourselves in the present? The only way to get better, be better, is to acknowledge our faults, have humility, get curious with ourselves, and make the necessary connections in our mind and body, to make the necessary improvements, big or small. If I do that, I will be true to myself, and when I have a true sense of self, I can be better in every facet of my life, including the profession of ASL/English Interpreter.

Code Of Professional Conduct  (CPC)

5-Year Bucket List of Goals

SMART Goals

Goal #1

Specific: Increase my vocabulary in ASL. 

Measurable: I will measure my progress by going over the vocab that is in my notebook daily, reviewing at least 5-10 signs. I will know if I accomplish my goal if I am able to go down my list that I make every day and know the signs that correlate to the words that are listed. 

Achievable: Every day I will write vocabulary words in my internship notebook. These vocabulary words can come from live interpreting in a classroom, videos I practice, everyday words that I hear and do not know the sign to, etc. I will be looking at these daily and adding words consistently throughout my internship.

Relevant: These words can come from anywhere. I can work with my mentors to create understanding for those words, how they would be used in ASL. I also can look up signs on the internet through various websites, also I can watch videos of native signers explaining the meaning of the different vocabulary.

Time-Bound: My target date is by the end of this internship block at Alpine School District. Another month and a half or so. 

Goal #2

Specific: Work on the use of classifiers and transitioning smoothly between classifiers in different scenarios each week.

Measurable: Record interpretations and assess the use and smoothness of transitions with a mentor or through self-analysis. I will know if I accomplish my goal if I am at a 60% rate of correct use and smoothness between classifiers.

Achievable: Use role-shifting and visualization exercises to reinforce fluid movement. Discuss with mentor how I could use the classifiers and space. Watch native signers, and experienced interpreters set up space and use classifiers.

Relevant: Using classifiers and space is essential for maintaining a natural and clear ASL interpretation.

Time-bound: Achieve seamless classifier transitions in 65% of interpretations within the last three months of internship.