High Enrollments in ASL Are Good Sign to its Teacher

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

When American Sign Language (ASL) teacher Valerie Scott was approached by a persistent TTU K-12 administrator about joining the instructional team and opening up ASL courses, Scott did her best to resist, already teaching full-time in Lubbock Independent School District.

“Dr. Lisa Leach, senior director over curriculum development, talked me into it, saying that TTU K-12 needed an ASL program and that ‘if we build it, they will come!' and they did!” Scott explained. “At one time I had 219 signed up for ASL I & II. I am glad we did it, because it has opened a whole new learning for me too.”

Before joining TTU K-12 three years ago, Scott had taught 27 years with LISD and has now been two years with Hobbs, New Mexico, Municipal Schools. Before teaching ASL, she taught Deaf Education for 20 years.

Scott's philosophy in the classroom is “Everyone has a right to communication, and as long as you try, you can't fail.”

That philosophy spills over into her favorite part of teaching – when her students become her kids.

“I have students who want to make sure that I come to their graduation every year and they keep in touch with me for years to come,” Scott said. “That is what brings me the most joy, seeing how I have changed those lives.”

Teaching online does have its share of challenges, and Scott says building that personal relationship with her online students has been the biggest one. “But we both try our best to establish one and get to know each other,” she added.

Also, Scott, like most teachers, has developed favorite guidance over the years to impart to her students. Her best advice is twofold.

“First, do what you love and what you are interested in because life is short. Also, tell those who you love that you love them because you never know when they could be gone and then you have missed the chance to tell them.”

Scott is a founding member of Texas ASL Teachers and a member of TSTA, NEA and NMEA. She has two adult daughters, a son-in-law and three stepsons. In her spare time, Scott enjoys watching sports and reading.