Building bridges is key for this instructor
Katie Roberts is a builder of bridges. As an American Sign Language (ASL) instructor at Seattle Central, her mission is to connect people like her, who are deaf and hard of hearing, with the wider world. It’s more than just communication; it’s helping to build understanding and respect.
“This isn’t just my job, it’s my calling. I’m always focused on bridging the gap. Deaf people have so many skills to offer. I want to share that with the community here at Seattle Central,” Katie says.
Katie was born deaf and has faced many of the same challenges as other minority groups. She found teaching to be a perfect way to reach across the divide and connect with people. After starting her career teaching English to deaf immigrants, she chose to specialize in ASL because she’s inspired by the language and its ability to bring people together. She’s been at Seattle Central for the past eight years.
“Almost none of my students have a hearing disability,” she says. “Some students have seen sign language and are curious to learn it. Others have had experiences with deaf people. I love teaching people new things and seeing them grow.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is encountering former students. “I see them all around. Some of them are now using their sign language skills working as interpreters, and it’s great to see them support their community. I’m proud of this bridge that I’ve built, and that my students can now build that bridge with others in the deaf community,” Katie says.