Kara Brown
Glendale,AZ
Summary
Dedicated ASL Teacher specializing in bridging deaf and hearing cultures through education and community outreach. Experienced in program coordination and fostering inclusive learning environments while assessing student progress with cultural sensitivity. Leverages technology to enhance accessibility and achieve learning outcomes, consistently delivering results in dynamic settings. Known for strong problem-solving skills and building collaborative relationships to support team and organizational success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
ASL Teacher
American Leadership Academy
Phoenix, Arizona
07.2025 - Current
- Develop curriculum and teach ASL at various levels, focusing on the fundamentals of ASL, linguistics, and deaf culture and history.
- Teach and prepare students for interpreting careers; code of ethics, stay updated on RID, and current assessment materials.
- Created lesson plans to meet the needs of all students based on their individual abilities and learning styles.
- Researched current trends related to teaching sign language effectively in order to stay abreast of new developments within the field.
- Collaborated with subject and grade-level teachers to create integrated educational frameworks enhancing student learning.
- Participated in professional development workshops focusing on best practices for teaching ASL.
- Adapted teaching strategies to the learning styles of students with different skill levels.
- Stay current on ASL practices and available teaching technologies to give students.
- Strengthened collaboration by ensuring clear communication between colleagues and parents.
- Utilized Google Workspace, Outlook, Microsoft, and AI programs to streamline administrative tasks.
- Developed engaging ASL curriculum for diverse student needs.
- Facilitated interactive lessons that increased ASL fluency and deepened cultural understanding among students.
- Coordinated student assessments to measure language proficiency and progress.
- Organized community events that highlighted student ASL performances, fostering public appreciation for sign language.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay updated on ASL trends.
- Taught courses at different levels in line with American Sign Language curriculum standards.
Deaf Interpreter
Self-employeed
01.2021 - Current
- Interpreted ASL to spoken English in a variety of social services settings, including meetings with clients, case managers, attorneys and other professionals.
- Facilitated effective communication between deaf individuals and hearing clients across diverse settings.
- Translate information to appropriate language targets for clients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.
- Use protactile or other supported communication method to facilitate information.
- Provided real-time interpretation for meetings, events, and educational settings.
- Applied RID policies and code of conduct to ensure ethical interpreting practices.
- Managed financial aspects of interpreting assignments by applying knowledge of contracts and billing.
- Ability to code-shift to accommodate the client's needs.
- Enhanced cultural competency through continuous education in cross-cultural communication techniques.
- Completed continuing education courses to maintain knowledge of current trends in interpreting practices.
- Attended training sessions on new technologies used in the field of interpreting.
Secondary ASL Teacher
Prairie High School
Vancouver, WA
01.2021 - 07.2025
- Develop curriculum and teach ASL at various levels, focusing on the fundamentals of ASL, linguistics, and deaf culture and history.
- Taught courses at different levels in line with American Sign Language curriculum standards.
- Prepared students for interpreting careers by teaching code of ethics and recent RID developments.
- Facilitated interactive lessons that enhanced ASL fluency and deepened cultural appreciation.
- Created lesson plans to meet the needs of all students based on their individual abilities and learning styles.
- Adapted teaching strategies to the learning styles of students with different skill levels.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of ASL methodologies and tools to enhance student learning.
- Developed engaging ASL curriculum for diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with subject and grade-level teachers to create integrated educational frameworks.
- Coordinated student assessments to measure language proficiency and progress.
- Researched current trends related to teaching sign language effectively in order to stay abreast of new developments within the field.
- Participated in professional development workshops focusing on best practices for teaching ASL.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay updated on ASL trends.
- Utilized Google Workspace, Outlook, Microsoft Office, and AI programs for effective communication and organization.
- Organized community events showcasing student ASL performances and skills.
ASL rater
Avant
Vancouver, Washington
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Assessed expressive and receptive language skills, ensuring alignment with ASL linguistic rules for accurate proficiency evaluation.
- Conducted language assessments based on established ASL linguistic guidelines to support standardized evaluation processes.
- Evaluated ASL proficiency, contributing to students' eligibility for biliteracy seal on high school diploma.
ASL Instructor
Portland Community College
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Develop curriculum and teach ASL 1-6
- Teach and prepare students for ITP program
- Evaluate students' abilities and offer targeted advice on how to optimize ASL skills.
- Adapted teaching strategies to learning styles of students with different skill levels.
- Selected and revised course curricula to meet current instructional demands.
- Maintained up-to-date understanding of ASL practices and technologies to improve instructional effectiveness.
- Monitored and reviewed RID and interpreting requirements to ensure compliance with industry standards.
Paraeducator
Washington School For the Deaf
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Consulted with teachers to enhance student progress, adjust IEPs, and meet classroom requirements.
- Provided disabled students with assistive devices and technology to support learning needs.
- Evaluated data to plan and coordinate strategies that advanced student progress.
- Planned classroom activities to enable students to work independently, in small groups and in large groups.
- Provided supplemental supervision in classrooms, schoolyards, and cafeterias.
- Facilitated the application of new instructional strategies and techniques for teachers.
- Collaborated with diverse colleagues to achieve goals and resolve product-related issues.
Education
High School Diplomia -
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL
Portland, OR06-2008
Some College (No Degree) -
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ03-2026
Skills
- Sign linguistics
- ASLPI certification
- Deaf culture knowledge
- Language assessment skills
- Project management
- Technology integration
- OS proficiency
- Research expertise
- Client relations
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Leadership abilities
- Operations coordination
- AI technology expertise
- Conference presentations
Languages
Fluent, Fluent/Native
References
Upon request
Languages
American Sign Language
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
ASLPI
Timeline
ASL Teacher
American Leadership Academy
07.2025 - Current
ASL rater
Avant
09.2024 - 05.2025
Deaf Interpreter
Self-employeed
01.2021 - Current
Secondary ASL Teacher
Prairie High School
01.2021 - 07.2025
ASL Instructor
Portland Community College
01.2020 - 01.2021
Paraeducator
Washington School For the Deaf
01.2011 - 01.2021
High School Diplomia -
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL
Some College (No Degree) -
Arizona State University