About

**About Me**

I am a Deaf mother of two young CODAs and a deaf dog, and my journey as a mother began with many questions. My CODAs were the first hearing members in our family, making us a third-generation Deaf family with little experience with hearing members. I consider myself fortunate to be part of the social media generation, where I can connect with other Deaf mothers and families for advice and support.

This experience has brought back memories of my godson and his mother, who was also a Deaf mother. Ten years before I started my journey, I remember how much she sought information, just as I am now. Through this, I’ve recognized a significant gap in resources for Deaf families, especially those with CODA children. While many resources exist, they are not easily accessible to us. This inspired me to develop this website and, in the future, a resource center for Deaf families.

My passion for teaching began early. After high school, I pursued my dream by attending Gallaudet University, where I studied Family and Child Studies and took courses in Elementary Education. After earning my Bachelor's degree, I worked as a cottage counselor with elementary-aged boys at a Deaf school, a role I loved so much that I stayed for ten years. During that time, I witnessed many children struggle academically due to language deprivation, inspiring me to focus on supporting families before their children start school.

When I started my own family, I paused my career to become a stay-at-home single mom, working part-time and cherishing every moment with my two kids. As they grew older and started school, I felt ready to return to my studies. I went back to Gallaudet and completed my Master’s in Deaf Education: Early Childhood Education in August 2021.

Since then, I’ve worked as a peer group leader, teaching Social Emotional Learning in various deaf programs, and as a Deaf coach, working with families with deaf babies. During this time, I began developing this resource website for Deaf families like ours.

In 2021, I became a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist at Alta California Regional Center, where I focused on maximizing communication access and services for Deafplus individuals who continue to experience significant barriers. I collaborated with families, providers, social workers, and others to improve access and support for our community.

In 2023, I took a leap and applied for a position as an emergency credential teacher in a mainstream DHH program preschool. This experience reignited my passion for working with Deaf children, and I love watching them thrive in both language and academics.

My journey has been filled with challenges, learning, and growth, and I’m committed to making a difference in signing families. This website is just the beginning, and I hope it will serve as a valuable resource for families like ours.