Erin Kerr
Garden City,KS
Summary
My name is Erin Kerr, I have worked professionally in my local school district and community since I was 21. Through my time working in Sped and D/HH with a wide range of experts and staff in and outside the field of interpreting and working with the many students I’ve had the honor to serve, I’ve gained not just experience but a wealth of knowledge and a richer understanding of what it means to be a strong interpreter, advocate, and model for our kiddos providing the highest quality in interpreting that is accurate, effective in meeting individual needs and consistent. I take pride in my work, hold myself to high standards and am constantly pursuing growth as I believe it’s a massive responsibility when providing language, access and advocacy to never stifle a student’s full potential based on an interpreter's ability or inability to provide rich and meaningful language and access to education, relationships and experiences that fundamentally mold and shape our students and their future.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Sign Language Interpreter
Garden City School District
Garden City, KS
08.2012 - Current
- Kept up to date with standard Interpreter practices, roles and responsibilities as well as constantly researched and gained new skills and up to date with standards to improve my craft
- Interpreted spoken language into sign language and vice versa accurately and quickly to facilitate communication between deaf and non-deaf students and staff.
- Facilitated communication between D/HH students and teachers/speaker during classroom activities.
- Interpreted all instructional materials and lessons while keeping in mind to interpret at an appropriate level depending on age, individual language proficiency and needs for diverse learning environment.
- Interpreted school wide activities, assemblies and other educational demonstrations and events.
- Prepared for lessons ensuring vocabulary was up to date and accurate and material content was understood thoroughly to provide effective and clear interpreting.
- Collaborated with educators to adapt lessons for accessibility and inclusivity while adhering to iep.
- Advocated student needs, facilitated open communication between student and teachers, staff and peers.
- Collaborated with Teacher of the Deaf and professionals, including teachers, speech therapists, and social workers, to provide comprehensive support tailored to students' needs.
- Adjusted translation to match students' cognitive levels and collaborated with educational team members.
- Supported social interactions among students through effective sign language interpretation.
- Attended all iep meetings to understand student needs, offered feedback when requested to ensure tailored interpreting services.
- Maintained confidentiality while handling sensitive student information and discussions.
- Remained yearly trained and adhered to strict state guidelines when interpreting state tests
- Assisted in educating staff unfamiliar with interpreting services the roles and responsibilities of Interpreters.
- Assisted in training new interpreters on sign language techniques and classroom integration.
- Pursued ongoing professional development through online classes, a state-funded cohort program, and mentoring to enhance interpreting skills and language proficiency.
- Attended workshops and seminars related to interpreting skills development, in order to stay up-to-date on best practices within the field. For ie: Eipa online Workshops, spring or fall emersion weekends, mock Eipa test workshops, etc.
- Delivered interpreting services across various settings, including medical appointments, mental health services, and educational programs, supporting students' communication needs beyond the classroom.
- Interpreted in other setting: funerals, Garden City Community College Commencement Ceremonies
- Translated documents such as text book and other educational materials, class activities and school emails from English to American Sign Language for students unable to read written materials or comprehend text.
- Translated written material produced by students to teachers when unable to comprehend student’s grammar or intent of message.
- Ensured accuracy when interpreting and translating complex concepts or technical terminology related to various subjects.
- Educated students on the basics of sign language so they could better understand their interpreter's translations as well as keep open communication to confirm comprehension of more complex concepts.
- Collaborated with Interpreter team to ensure vocabulary and appropriate signs as well as professional conduct was consistent throughout our team.
- Provided support, often lead meetings amongst interpreting team and TOD especially during Covid 19 to address new and evolving resolutions to challenges faced.
- Researched and learned how to utilize technology through film apps to ensure students received clear interpreting (picture within picture feature) with prerecorded lessons and shared step by step tutorials on “how to’s” for the team.
- Researched and resolved the issue on zoom while interpreting live lessons where the speaker and interpreter needed to be combined into one screen for clarity and ease of communication for students and shared results and how to with team.
- Researched new techniques related to sign language interpretation and incorporated them into daily practice where applicable.
- Adhered to local state laws regarding confidentiality when working with students' sensitive information.
- Observed nonverbal cues to ensure understanding was achieved by all involved in the conversation.
- Provided and requested constant feedback on performance and comprehension after each lesson in order to improve accuracy going forward.
- Upheld a neutral stance during all interpretation assignments to foster clear communication. while interpreting and refrained from expressing personal beliefs, opinions or inserting oneself into conversations.
- Supported fellow Interpreters by providing assistance, signs, or taking turns team interpreting when needed during difficult assignments or challenging scenarios.
- Identified and resolved conflicts in translation or interpretation of words or concepts.
- During pull out times, offered creative, thoughtful and appropriate methods to offer tailored breakdowns or background knowledge to address language and learning gaps and information or to re-explain difficult concepts tailoring specifically towards each student's individual needs based on their level of proficiency with language and background knowledge.
- remained ethical and professional, holding myself to the highest of standards in all settings and situations and worked to develop trust within classrooms and staff, open communication, showing respect and dignity towards coworkers and students.
- I have worked/interpreted in all USD457 D/HH base schools, grade levels and core classes as well as specialized subjects like anatomy, chemistry, and even college level courses like Automotive 1.
Sign Language Interpreter
Garden City Community College
Garden City, KS
05.2018 - 05.2026
- Interpreted spoken language into sign language accurately and quickly to facilitate communication.
- Interpreted instruction and instructional materials during lessons to support student understanding.
- Facilitated communication between deaf students and teachers in classroom settings.
- Worked with staff to create an inclusive environment in classrooms and the college graduation stage by collaborating on interpreter position and acquiring prep materials to prepare for classes and the commencement ceremony
- Ensured accuracy when translating complex concepts or technical terminology related to various subjects.
- Researched new techniques related to sign language interpretation and incorporated them into daily practice where applicable.
- Maintained neutrality while interpreting and refrained from expressing personal opinions or inserting oneself into conversations.
- Provided appropriate contextual information to increase clients understanding of translations.
- Maintained confidentiality of student information in all interactions and interpretations.
- Adhered to ethical codes protecting information confidentiality and abiding by ethical standards of Interpreters.
One-on-One Paraprofessional
USD 457 Garden City Public Schools
Garden City, KS
12.2011 - 08.2012
- Provided direct one-on-one support to my student with disabilities in an educational setting yet remained flexible and willing to assist other students when able.
- Assisted with implementation of IEPs including accommodations and modifications for the student assigned to me.
- Monitored student behavior and provided guidance and support during lessons and transitions.
- Documented student progress and reported findings to supervising teacher regularly.
- Collaborated with special education staff to implement effective strategies.
- Supervised students during activities such as recess, lunchtime and assisted on field trips.
- Worked as a team with all supportive staff including specialized services like Deaf Ed and Speech therapy where I learned specialized skills to support speech development and signed communication.
- Encouraged social skills and development through group activities and discussions utilizing both English and sign to bridge language gaps while transitioning from native language.
- Collaborated with the D/HH program and TOD in providing full access to language to students
- Learned basic sign language on to more advanced ASL in order to provide full access to language while student transitioned into English language.
- Assisted D/HH Program during HI club lessons where we read and signed and performed activities based on learning and using language and developing needed social and communication skills.
- Assisted students with daily tasks such as hygiene, eating, dressing and cleaning skills.
- Supported the supervising teacher in delivering lesson plans, and adapting instruction as needed for individual student needs.
- Instructed small groups of students in a variety of subject areas while providing additional support which typically included pull out services for more direct aid.
- Utilized creative supportive teaching methods to engage students in learning activities.
- Maintained a safe and organized learning environment for all students.
- Collaborated and maintained open communication with teachers and other staff members to ensure student success.
- Implemented positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behaviors from students as well as utilized coping skills and gentle reminders when students required more guidance.
- Participated in continuing education trainings designed to further develop skills necessary for working with special education students.
- Assessed student's abilities to aid in meeting state standards for their grade level.
- Took online asl courses
- provided services tailored to individualized needs in all classroom settings.
- Assisted teachers in preparing instructional materials and classroom activities.
Personal Care Assistant
Payroll Corporation
Garden City, KS
08.2007 - 09.2011
- Provided companionship and emotional support to enhance client well-being.
- Assisted clients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting.
- Maintained daily living standards by assisting clients with personal hygiene needs.
- Assisted clients with maintaining good personal hygiene as well as encouraged and aided in developing independence particularly with hygiene.
- Supported bathing, dressing and personal care needs.
- Encouraged independence by helping clients develop self-care skills such as meal preparation or personal hygiene tasks.
- Coordinated transportation for medical appointments and community outings.
- Prepared meals according to dietary requirements.
- Provided companionship to disabled client in their home.
- Participated in recreational activities with clients such as reading books, playing cards or board games.
- Obtained sources of entertainment for clients to provide full and enjoyable daily activities.
- Communicated effectively with family members regarding client needs and progress.
- Reported any observed changes in mental status or physical condition to supervisor immediately.
- Ensured safety of patients by monitoring environment and responding promptly to any emergency situations that may arise.
- Administered medication as per prescribed schedules for clients.
- Helped client communicate with loved ones by teaching basic signs and practiced signs in real life applications.
- Assisted in using more language to communicate and reduce anxiety
- Provided alternative outlets for client to express emotions and concerns.
- Made beds, swept floors, and sanitized surfaces to support activities of daily living.
- Performed housekeeping duties including laundry, vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors and changing bed linens.
- Created safe and positive living situations for clients by communicating with family and other staff about concerns or challenges.
- Built strong and trusting rapport with clients and loved ones.
Education
Garden City High School
Garden City, KSSkills
- Sign language interpretation
- Voice to Sign, Sign to Voice fluency
- Adherence to ethical standards both as an Interpreter and professional in education
- Professional development, further education and research into the field implementing new skills and language
- Professional development
- Nonverbal cues observation
- Student advocacy
- Technical terminology accuracy
- IEP compliance
- Background information provision
- Team collaboration
- Constructive feedback reception
- Leadership and support
- Conflict resolution
Certification
- Signing Online (American Sign Language Instruction) Intermediate ASL completed December 28th, 2013
- Interpreter Cohort under Stephanie Winslow, ASL Interpreter Connect, LLC. 2014 - 2016
- Mentorship under Joan Macy and her team with KSD Outreach Services, 2017 - 2018
- Continuing Ed BoysTown eipa video conferences +6
Timeline
Sign Language Interpreter
Garden City Community College
05.2018 - 05.2026
Sign Language Interpreter
Garden City School District
08.2012 - Current
One-on-One Paraprofessional
USD 457 Garden City Public Schools
12.2011 - 08.2012
Personal Care Assistant
Payroll Corporation
08.2007 - 09.2011
Garden City High School