Recognizing the Amazing Staff Members who Support our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs

September is Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Month! Did you know that CPS supports more than 1,000 deaf or hard of hearing students? Our District has 10 deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) programs—five based in elementary schools and five based in high schools. 

In these programs, students receive a language-rich learning environment focused on American Sign Language. Some students spend their entire day in the DHH classroom, while others spend part of each day with their hearing peers, often with the support of an interpreter. 

As part of our mission to provide all students with rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experiences, the District works tirelessly to make sure our students with unique needs have the resources they need to reach their full potential. But it is the staff members who support our DHH programs who make them truly special. 

Mr. Sergio Guzman supports the program at Bell Elementary School as a special education classroom assistant. He notes that his first experience with DHH programming in CPS was as a student at Kinzie Elementary School back in the 1990s. Thus, he knows how important it is for deaf students to have role models with similar upbringings and lived experiences. 

In his role, he ensures that students’ academic and social-emotional needs are served using American Sign Language. He knows that sometimes students do not have access to sign language at home, so he goes above and beyond to build relationships with his students so that they know he is here to support them. He also prioritizes getting to know his students’ parents and caregivers so that he can partner with them to make sure their children are empowered across all areas of their lives. 

“I strive to give them (parents of DHH students) school and community resources that include American Sign Language classes, workshops, and special events where they get to meet other DHH families,” he said. “This is part of how my role is vital for the well-being of our DHH students to help them succeed in life after they leave CPS.” 

Mr. Guzman explains that, at one point, he was the only deaf adult working at Bell. He notes that school administration recognized the importance of having more deaf adults working as positive role models within the DHH program. Now, he is one of four special education classroom assistants at Bell who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Ms. Brittany Palm is one of them! One of her top goals is that her students learn more than just the content found within their core academic subjects. She wants them to also learn about deaf culture and self-advocacy. While she knows that being one of only a few deaf students in a large school full of hearing peers can feel intimidating, she believes her students deserve to feel proud of their deafness and confident in their ability to succeed.

“I love watching our deaf students thrive in their language and seeing their confidence shining through,” she said. “I think that there’s no better way to inspire our students than by having deaf adults as role models.” 

Ms. Laura Lopez is another one of these outstanding classroom assistants. When she thinks about her favorite memories of serving in this role, she remembers giving a presentation on the food and culture of Latin American countries. This experience reminded her that her students are made up of many different qualities beyond just being deaf. Since many of these students’ families were from these countries, she said the looks on their faces when they saw something that represented their culture were amazing to see! 

During the school year, Ms. Lopez strives to be patient with her students and build a strong relationship with them rooted in what they have in common. She wants all of her students to embrace who they are as deaf individuals and show the world what they are capable of. She is a wonderful role model in showing her students that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to. In fact, this year she is starting a master’s program to become a teacher for DHH students! 

And Bell isn’t the only school with a staff member who is able to connect with DHH students on a personal level. Ms. Cicely Boggan is a new teacher at Prosser Career Academy. While she has been in the educational field for 15 years, this is her first time teaching high school students, and she is feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. 

She brings with her the perspective that patience is key as an educator. Early on in her career, she was told that she had a “natural talent for teaching the ‘unteachable.’” She explains that the most challenging points of her career have been what have helped her learn more about herself and grow as a teacher. They have also instilled this patience and also compassion in her, and she consistently reminds herself that her students’ lives are just starting out. Even though they might not have all the knowledge that she has developed, she still prioritizes listening to them and being patient with them. 

“I am hoping that my students leave high school with a better understanding of the world and the challenges it will present them with,” she said. “Hopefully, with the tools they earn during their time in high school, they can utilize them to overcome any challenge that they face in the future.”