The Role of Teachers who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing in the Field of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education
Holly Pedersen
Diane Gard
Monica Soukup
Mary Huston
Deaf, education, multicultural education
There is a diversity gap between teachers of students who are deaf and hard of hearing and the students that they teach. Teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing who are deaf or hard of hearing themselves are underrepresented in the profession. Within a multicultural educational framework, evidence supports the benefits of diversity for all students. Further, some research suggests that teachers with disabilities bring a unique lived experience to the students they teach both with and without disabilities. Little research exists specifically addressing teachers who are deaf or hard of hearing in the field of deaf education. This qualitative survey study explored the perceptions of fifty teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing who are deaf or hard of hearing themselves regarding their role and value in the profession. Through electronic open-ended interview questions and qualitative thematic analysis, the findings are discussed in length with comparisons and suggested solutions. Implications of the findings as well as recommendation for future action are discussed.
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Holly Pedersen, Minot State University
Dr. Pedersen is an Associate Professor and Chairperson for the Department of Special Education. She has over 25 years of experience working with children and youth with disabilities including early intervention with children who are deaf/hard of hearing and their families as well as in collaborative models of service provision for students with disabilities in rural areas. Her research interests include supporting fathers in early intervention, rural education issues and issues in deaf/hard of hearing education.
Diane Gard, Minot State University
Diane Gard, M.S. recently completed her Master's degree in Special Education with emphasis in deaf/hard of hearing education. Her thesis work explored the role of teachers with hearing loss in the field of deaf/hard of hearing education. Gard currently teaches students who are deaf/hard of hearing in the public school system in California.
Monica Soukup, Minot State University
Dr. Soukup's career in education of the deaf/hard of hearing spans more than four decades. She currently serves as adjunct faculty for several undergraduate and graduate courses within the Department of Special Education. Her involvement with individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing includes her life-long experiences with various family members and friends. Her research interests include the shortage of teachers in deaf and hard of hearing education, language and literacy development, and students who are deaf/hard of hearing and have additional disabilities.
Mary Huston, Minot State University
Mary Huston is an Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and serves as the interim Chairperson for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as President of the North Dakota Speech-Language Hearing Association. Currently a doctoral candidate, her research interests include phonology, special education law, neurology, and professional networking.