VDOE Educational Interpreter Grant
in conjunction with Reynolds Community College
“Mission Impossible: Providing visual access to English phonology”
Jennifer Cranston
Date: June 13, 2025
Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm
0.6 RID CEUs Sponsored by VRID
Location: Reynolds Community College,
Parham Campus, 1651 East Parham Rd, Richmond VA
Burnette Hall room 210
Workshop Description:
This workshop explores research-based strategies for providing deaf and hard-of-hearing students with visual access to English, with a focus on phonological components that support literacy development. The presenter will share findings from current literature as well as a personal research study examining traditional methods used by educational interpreters and their respective strengths and limitations. Participants will be introduced to more effective, linguistically grounded strategies for representing English phonology visually. The session will also cover the theoretical foundations and key components of each approach, empowering interpreters and educators to make informed decisions that enhance language access and reading outcomes for deaf students.
Presenter Bio:
Jennifer Cranston has over two decades of experience in the field of deaf education. She holds multiple professional credentials, including RID NIC Advanced and K–12 certification, an EIPA score of 4.4, and VQAS CLT Level III. Jennifer is licensed in Virginia as a teacher with endorsements in Deaf Education (PreK–12), Elementary Education (K–6), American Sign Language, and a pending endorsement in Educational Leadership and Administration.
Her career spans a wide range of roles that offer her a multifaceted perspective on deaf education. She has served as a teacher of the deaf in both public and residential schools, an ASL interpreter and Cued Language Transliterator in educational settings, and as a supervisor for ASL Interpreters and CLTs. She has also worked as a Deaf Program Specialist and is certified as an early intervention specialist for deaf and hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers.
Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Flagler College and an M.Ed. in ESOL Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, with a focus on teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students from diverse backgrounds. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the PhD program in Interpretation and Translation at Gallaudet University.
Jennifer has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, including NAIE, VRID, PCRID, EHDI, WREIC, DHH Services of Michigan, Silent Weekend (FL), TESOL, and FLAVA. She has also delivered workshops for organizations such as The Arc, as well as at universities including George Mason University and within school districts such as Arlington Public Schools and Prince William County Schools. In addition, she has provided professional development and training at schools for the deaf.
This workshop is presented at no cost to K-12 interpreters. To register, please contact your grant representative. VRID is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.6 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for this event, please contact Carrie Humphrey by May 28, 2025 chumphrey@reynolds.edu.
