Thanks to an invitation from teacher Katy Burns, I recently had the pleasure of taking learning photos at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HMS) in Brighton. Founded in 1869, it is the oldest public day school in the country serving this population. Its specialized staff educates about 140 students, aged 3-22. The school also has a Parent Infant Program that offers in-home assistance to families during the critical first three years of a child”s life.
A huge open space (used during indoor recess and for large gatherings) welcomes pre-school/kindergarten students and their families. Mini-posters outside every classroom include a photo of the teacher, his/her name, and the room number ~ something that would make any school more welcoming! Classes are necessarily small and just about everyone communicates in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as orally. I was happy to learn how to greet and thank people in sign as I visited classrooms with Lynda Sennott, one of four full-time interpreters on staff.
Student activities are as varied as in any school: “listening” to stories, working on math problems, taking tests, reviewing homework, painting in art class, making posters about historical figures, getting 1:1 assistance or conferencing. I ask about students using their teachers” first names and learn that doing so is an element of Deaf Culture; each person has a unique sign made (usually) from one”s initial and a personal feature. I was impressed by the fluid, constant use of sign in communicating everything from simple requests to complex ideas. Students were clearly comfortable with both ways of interacting.
I see Smartboards, computers, microphones, and other adaptive technology in use in many classrooms. Vocational training as well as college prep courses are available to high school students. A fully equipped digital lab for the production of documents, books, and posters is the pride and joy of teacher Tom Lally, who developed a student-run document imaging business called ScanWorks.
The Horace Mann School nurtures social/emotional needs as well as academic achievement, creating a supportive and healthy school climate. In the hallway my eyes are drawn to a large sheet of chart paper entitled, “What do YOU do to calm down and relieve stress?” Collaboratively created after an unexpected loss, this is a living document to which teachers and students continually add their ideas. As I leave the office, I notice a small tree decorated for the holidays with student photos glued onto paper “I love you” hand signs.
I loved visiting this school”¦ please invite me to yours!
amika45@comcast.net
Amika Kemmler Ernst is a recently retired BPS New Teacher Developer with extensive experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, and graphic artist. Her “We”re Learning Here” Project features images of everyday learning in our public schools, along with the words of the students pictured.