ASL Classifiers: Describing Movement, Appearance and Location

Hello! 

I live in the Pacific Northwest and I am a licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant. Most of the year, my job involves helping elementary school children learn to communicate clearly by making the right sounds come out of their mouths. However, I’m also passionate about communicating without any sound at all—using American Sign Language (ASL).

I discovered the world of sign language when I was 11 years old—and I was instantly hooked! The thought that my friends and I could speak to each other without saying a word was so intriguing to my young self. I learned more ASL in high school and college, and even traveled to Washington DC to take an ASL course at Gallaudet University, a school dedicated to the education of Deaf students. I went on to graduate with honors from Oregon’s Portland State University, earning my bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences.

I have worked with Deaf children in school programs across California, Oregon, and Arizona, and I love communicating in sign language! I am easily excited and love to talk, and this helps me connect with my speech students as well as my ASL Outschool students. A student enrolled in my class can expect an engaging, hands-on (pun intended) learning experience. 

I look forward to working with your learner!

Rachel