Zander A.
Zander holds his BEI Advanced Interpreter Certificate through the state of Texas and has been working as a Certified Sign Language Interpreter in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex since the fall of 2018. He received his Associate of Applied Science degree in Sign Language Interpreting from Tarrant County College in the spring of 2018.
In 2020, Zander was asked to give a brief presentation to his co-workers about the transgender (trans) community, and this ignited something in him. He developed a passion to educate others about the unique struggles and lived experiences of those in the trans community. He believes that proper education, awareness, and judgment-free opportunities for open dialogue are vital to stop the spread of misinformation and hate that has been directed towards the trans community for the past several years. Zander dreams of a day when there is equity for all; achieved through legislative protections on the rights of trans* people, easy and reliable access to gender affirming medical care, and sufficient and accurate portrayals of trans* people in mainstream media.
A true philomath, Zander spends his free time researching an endless array of topics, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, having fun with his family, or spending time outdoors.
Workshop
Unpacking Gender
Thursday., June 6, 2024, 3:30-6:30 PM – Presented in ASL
Friday., June 7, 2024 9:00 AM-12 noon – Presented in English
Melissa Bell
Melissa Bell holds a Sign Language Interpreting degree from Collin College, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and a Mater’s degree in Public Administration from Texas State University. She also holds a BEI-Advanced certification. In her role as Program Specialist at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS), she serves on the DHHS Training and Education team, supporting the Resource Specialist program, overseeing the Certification of Deafness for the Tuition Waiver Program, and collaborating with state agencies to improve access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Workshop
Deaf Consumers Profiles: Expectations of Interpreters
Friday, June 7 – 1:30-4:30 PM
Andrea Bright-Fontana
Andrea M. Bright-Fontana, M.A., BEI Court, Master, IV, and RID NIC-Advanced. Andrea began her career in Deaf Education after completing her undergraduate studies, spending six years teaching at the Texas School for the Deaf. However, interpreting eventually became her true calling to best utilize her skills, knowledge, and abilities, where she has worked for over 20 years in various settings. During that time, she and her husband decided to become fosterparents. Her family, including their 3 boys, became a foster family for 8 years, ultimately adopting 3 amazing Deaf daughters. These experiences required interfacing heavily with Child Protective Services, highlighting the dearth of information and education for interpreting services, especially working with children who had experienced trauma. This became the impetus for developing training to address this unmet need in the field. Her “free” time is spent enjoying time with her husband & 6 kids at their sporting events as well as camping, going to movies, and working in her yard.
Workshop
Child Protective Services and the CPC
Thurs, June 6 12-3:00, 3:30-6:30 (part 1 and 2)
Deaf, CPS and the Educational System…what you need to know…
Fri, June 7 – 9a-12noon, 1:30-3:30 (part 1 and 2)
Monique Champagne
Monique Champagne (she/her) is a working sign language interpreter with 20 years of experience, a trained psychotherapist in the state of Texas, and an educator and researcher in the field of mental health and sign language interpreting. She was raised in the Deaf community (identifies as a CODA) and is particularly passionate about empowering sign language interpreters in the area of mental health and wellness. She is the owner of Healing Haven Outreach Services, a community organization that provides education and coaching services to interpreters in the area of mental health and wellness. Specialized topics cover skills focused on identifying and interpreting mental health topics and working towards increased confidence in addressing their own emotional wellbeing during and outside of work. Additionally, Monique has experience with and specialized training in providing affirming services for marginalized and traditionally underserved populations, and she provides services from a humanist, social justice, and multicultural lens.
Workshop
Does your Job Spark Joy
Friday, June 7th 9:00 am – 12 noon
Trauma-Informed Interpreting Practices
Saturday, June 8th 9:00 am – 12 noon
Brian Cheslik, PhD
Dr. Brian A. Cheslik (Austin, TX)- Assistant Professor and Program Director for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley American Sign Language and Interpretation BA program. Dr. Cheslik holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Gallaudet University, a master’s in Deaf studies & Deaf education and a doctorate in Deaf studies & Deaf education from Lamar University. Dr. Cheslik is a Certified Deaf Interpreter, specializing in music and theatre. He is the founding artistic director of Deaf Austin Theatre, where he has directed productions of Next to Normal (2019), The Last Five Years (2022) and Cinderella (2023). He services the theatre profession by educating theaters on accessibility needs for Deaf performers and audiences, as well as training performance interpreters. Prior to his current position, Dr. Cheslik taught high school theatre at Texas School for the Deaf. His current research interests include ASL, Interpreting, Deaf Studies Deaf education, theatre education, and human sexuality. He is a member of Stage Directors & Choreographers Society (SDC).
Workshop
Performance Interpreting
Friday, June 7th – 9a-12 noon
Culturally Appropriate Interpreting in LGBTQ Spaces
Friday, June 7th – 1:30-3:30 PM
Jennifer Hunter
Jennifer Hunter serves on the Texas Sensory Support Network (TxSSN), a grant-funded project of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), as a Deaf Education Specialist. She served for ten years as a Teacher of the Deaf in the Irving RDSPD, and she has 15 years of experience as an interpreter in a variety of settings. Jennifer has worked at both the elementary and secondary levels and has experience in resource, inclusion, and life skills settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently certified as a BEI Advanced.
Jennifer is passionate about bridging the gap that exists for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students in many aspects of life. As a CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult), she feels she was blessed with a level of access to the Deaf community and a depth of language that many deaf and hard-of-hearing students do not have the opportunity to experience. Jennifer is excited to stand in the gap with the statewide network of professionals while navigating effective ways to serve this unique community.
Workshop
Can you understand the Language of Education?
Thursday, June 6, 2024 – 3:30 – 6:30 PM
Building Interpreter Advocacy Skills Young
Saturday, June 8, 2024 – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Interpreting Academic Vocabulary
Sunday, June 9, 2024 – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Twyla Loftin
Twyla Loftin graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1996 with a Master’s degree in Deaf Education. Twyla has been in Deaf Education for more than 30 years and has been certified BEI Master for more than 15 years. Currently, Twyla is the Texas Sensory Support Network Deaf Education Project Manager as well as teaching ASL classes at Texas Christian University. She previously worked as a teacher at Texas School for the Deaf for 18 years, taught at Baylor University in their Deaf Education/Interpreting program as well as having worked as an outreach specialist at the Educational Resource Center on Deafness.
Workshop
ASL to English Confronting the Uncomfortable
Thursday, June 6th – 12 Noon – 3 PM
Purposeful Practice in Deaf Education
Friday, June 6th – 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Deb Martinez
Deb Martinez has an AS in interpreting, BS in Human Services, and a MS in Public Administration. She has been professionally interpreting since 1994. Her certifications include RID (CI/CT, NIC: Advanced, SC: L) and Texas BEI (Master and Court). She has served in various volunteer capacities within organizations and communities locally, statewide, and nationally. In the past she has trained interpreters, developed a local mentoring program, and has presented on topics such as legal, depositions, ethics, case conferencing, the interpreting process, and consecutive interpreting. In addition to interpreting, she is an Integrative Wellness coach, Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, Yoga teacher, certified to teach mindfulness, and trained to be an intentional communication instructor with the Kane Intentional Communication Institute. Currently Deb is enrolled at UNT Dallas in their MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She looks forward to sharing her love of the work, her knowledge, and experiences with others at TSID 2024.
Workshop
Using Intentional Communication to Navigate Difficult Conversations
Thursday, June 6th – 3:30 – 6:30 PM
Consecutive Interpreting; Lines of Questioning in Legal Settings
Saturday, June 8th – 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Dr. Renee Gonzalez Puerto
Dr. René Gonzalez Puerto is a Deaf Person, bilingual oral and signed (fluent in Mexican Sign Language and Spanish) living in Houston, Texas, USA. He has been in the U.S. for two and a half years, before in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, where he was born and grew up all his life. Since childhood, he has learned that we must show that we can exploit other capacities despite the condition. He has been a leader and activist for the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities, for which he received an Honorary Doctorate from the “Ibero-American Doctoral Faculty and the Leadership of Today Foundation,” as well as several recognitions for the work that he continues to carry out among them: social and research projects in favor of this type of population.
It is worth mentioning that he was the first Deaf person with two Post- doctorates at the Mexico level and finished the second degree in Law and training as a Logogenist. He has been the founder and president of the Helen Keller Foundation, United for Inclusion for People with Disabilities, A.C.; he was Secretary General of the Mexican Federation of the Deaf (FEMESOR), affiliated with the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). He had also been a representative of non-governmental organizations of persons with disabilities before the Promoting Council for the Protection of Rights of the State of Yucatan), was a model teacher of Deaf language in an educational center of Special Education for the Deaf of the Ministry of Public Education in Yucatán with scientific research, also academic deputy director and coordinator of postgraduate studies (masters and doctorates) of the Universidad Santander Campus Yucatán.
He has been a professor of Deaf and an interpreter in different areas in Mexico where interpretation services did not exist for Deaf people. He is the founder and president of the Academy of Deaf Professionalization and Linguistic Studies of Sign Languages of Mexico, S.C.P (AProSEL). He pursued several academic studies because he detected the educational needs of students with disabilities and saw the need to train with a master’s degree and a doctorate in education sciences. Later, a post-doctorate in the integral management of educational institutions and another in Epistemology and scientific research, which he concluded, and in this way, he was entering education, always seeking to make it inclusive.
He is currently implementing educational improvement research projects. However, during all the years of study, he realized that people with disabilities and those who belong to groups that are in a situation of vulnerability, in general, had little access to what refers to the legal or juridical area, and that is why he decided to pursue a law degree (bachelor) because he wanted to be a lawyer for inclusion and people with disabilities. Currently, he is studying the “Interpreting Training Tech” (AAS) program at LoneStar College, Cyfair, Texas, USA, to develop some projects to professionalize interpretation and translation services in Mexican Sign Language (LSM) and Spanish for the hearing- impaired population of Mexico. Maybe to become a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Likewise, he is conducting scientific research on the linguistics and grammar of the LSM- Spanish and the education of the Deaf. He obtained the CONOCER Program certificate as an interpreter in Mexico in September last year. No one has finished learning any language; he is currently learning English and American Sign Language (ASL) to support Deaf Latino immigrants who do not know English as a teacher and interpreter. With AProSEL, the projects will continue to benefit the Mexican Deaf community and the Latino community living in Texas, USA. He always has the phrase in mind that the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, King Jordan, was located in Washington, D.C., USA: “A deaf person can do anything the same as a hearing person, except hear.”
Workshop
Deaf UNCLE Sam’s Workshop
Thursday, June 6 – 12:00 – 3:00 PM and Friday, June 7 – 9:00 am – 12:00
Interpreter’s Toolkit: Multi-Language Access & Medication (ASL/ English/ Spanish/LSM)
Thursday, June 6 – 3:30 – 6:30 PM and Friday, June 7 – 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Marci Purtell
Marci Purtell currently serves as the Executive Director of Interpreting for Sorenson Interpreting. Marci’s mission is simple: to leave people better than she found them. She is often referred to as a relationship ninja because of her ability to help others navigate both personal challenges and complicated relationship issues. Prior to joining the Sorenson team, Marci taught in Deaf Education for 8 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Master’s of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. A certified interpreter since 1996, Marci currently holds a Texas BEI Master certification and an RID: NIC certification. Marci has been married for 24 years to Vance, and they currently live in Hurst, TX with their son, daughter, and boxer. Outside of work, Marci is an avid scrapbooker, ghostwriter, and recently published author of Your Law, My Delight, now available on Amazon.
Workshop
Is Healing Possible
Thursday, June 6 – 12 p – 3:00 pm
Self-Care in a 2-D world (presented twice)
Thursday, June 6th 1:30-3:30 pm
Sunday, June 9th 9:00 am-12 noon
Bill Ross, III
William F. Ross III, M.S. is currently the Vice President of Education and Outreach for Hands Up Communications, a multilingual access company based in Florida. He is one of the primary authors for one of the most recognized texts in the field of interpreting, You Want To Be An Interpreter? (5th Ed.). As a child of Deaf parents, he has been interpreting for more than 40 years and holds national certification from the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. Previously, Bill was the Curriculum Development Specialist for Deaf Bible Society (DBS); an international organization that provided training/resources for individuals translating Scripture into sign language. Prior to working at DBS, he was the Program Director of the Carlstrom Interpreter Training Program at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Ross formerly held the position of Director of the Communication Access Support Services (CASS) Department at North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD); where he established the NCSD Mentorship Project to provide ongoing support to educational and freelance interpreters. He is passionate about building mentoring relationships, studying ASL and accompanying interpreters on their interpreting journey.
Workshop
Incorporating Expansion Techniques in your Interpreting
Thurs. June 6, 2024, 12:00 noon – 3:00 PM
That’s Not What I Meant: Managing Deaf-Centric Language
Thurs. June 6, 2024 3:30-6:30
Where do I stand?
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Am I Seeing It Right, but Saying It Wrong?
Friday, June 7, 2024 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Interpreting: The Dark Side
Saturday, June 8, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Managing Genres in American Sign Language
Sunday, June 9, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Tyriibah Royal-Lampkins
Tyriibah Royal-Lampkins is a Training & Development Manager with ZVRS/Purple Communications, with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has several degrees in interpreting, one of which is a Masters in Combined Interpreting Practice and Research from Gallaudet University. During her time there, she conducted her research on the comparison of Black and white interpreters’ target English when interpreting for Black Deaf consumers. She holds multiple certifications: BEI Advanced and NIC. She has a breadth of experience in the interpreting field and has a heart for mentoring, focusing on the unique needs of other BiPOC interpreters.
Workshop
Showing Up for Each Other (presented twice)
Friday, June 7, 2024 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Saturday, June 8, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Stephanie Sargent
Stephanie Sargent was born and raised in California, and thanks to being a military spouse has lived in many other states since. After eight years in the classroom as an English teacher, Stephanie made the decision to follow her passion of becoming an American Sign Language Interpreter in the Educational and Community setting. She attended Tarrant County College’s Interpreting Program in Fort Worth, Texas, where she also worked as an English tutor at the college’s Writing Center. After graduating from her ITP program, Stephanie passed the TX BEI Basic certification exam and began working as a freelance interpreter. In 2020 she earned her Master of Science degree in ASL/English Interpreting from The University of North Florida. In January of 2022, Stephanie founded ASL Terp Prep, LLC, a company designed to help people become English/American Sign Language Interpreters by offering TEP Prep Courses and self-paced BEI prep material. In addition to running ASL Terp Prep, LLC, Stephanie currently works as a freelance interpreter in Virginia, doing VRI and other remote work.
Workshop
Co-Interpreting: How to Co-llaborate (presented twice)
Thursday, June 6th 12 noon – 3:00 PM
Sunday, June 9th 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Lauren Sheffield
Lauren is an advanced interpreter who also holds a M.S. in ASL/English Interpreting from University of North Florida in Jacksonville Florida. Aside from interpreting in a variety of settings, she mentors pre-certified interpreters, interpreters who are wanting to “level-up,” and serves as adjunct professor from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.
Workshop
Co-Interpreting: How to Co-llaborate (presented twice)
Thursday, June 6th 12 noon – 3:00 PM
Sunday, June 9th 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Ashley Spalding
Ashley Spalding is a BEI Advanced Certified Interpreter with six years of experience in the field.In addition to being a graduate of Tarrant County College’s Interpreter Training Program, Ashley currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Interpreting at TCC. Ashley has also worked as a community interpreting for Hired Hands inc and has been the agencies Practicum Coordinator for the last two years. Ashley’s passion lies in mentoring new interpreters, helping them build a strong foundation in their skills, and showcasing the diverse opportunities within the interpreting profession. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ashley finds joy in reading, traveling, and playing with her two australian shepherds with her husband, Cash.
Workshop
Dear Interpreters, Teach us! Love Interns (presented twice)
Saturday, June 8th 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Sunday, June 9th 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Jacob Thornton, LPC
Jacob Thornton (he/him) is a compassionate licensed mental health therapist practicing in Texas and New York. Since beginning his clinical journey in 2017, Jacob’s expertise has expanded to include serving clients with a wide variety of backgrounds, many with unique language challenges. Growing up as the only Deaf son of hearing parents raised in a rural area, Jacob’s personal experiences fuel his commitment to marginalized communities, particularly the Deaf community. He passionately advocates for linguistically appropriate mental health care and has become a beacon of support for the Deaf population both in and outside of therapy. Jacob’s experience and influence extends beyond the therapy room. As a former Access Specialist, he worked to empower individuals by empowering them to advocate for their rights and working alongside them to dismantle obstacles. Through numerous training presentations, Jacob has highlighted and supported exploration of pervasive concerns that impact the Deaf community, particularly language deprivation and its impact on K-12 students in mainstream classroom settings. Currently, Jacob works full time with Mesquite ISD, where he fosters a safe, culturally affirming environment for the students he serves. His therapeutic technique blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), grounding techniques and person-centered approaches, ensuring tailored care for each individual. Jacob’s unwavering commitment to the clients he serves allows him to illuminate pathways for empowerment within the Deaf community as a whole.
Workshop
Trauma-Informed Interpreting Practices
Saturday, June 8th 9:00 am – 12 noon
Randi Turner
Randi Turner is the TSID Policy and Advocacy Committee chair. She currently works for Disability Rights Texas as an advocate. Turner is a graduate of Texas State University, where she received the Outstanding Service and Excellence in Academics” award upon graduation. In addition, her work as an advocate for people who are deaf or hard of hearing earned her the honored Deaf Celebration LBJ Award. The award signifies her “contributions toward equality and equal opportunities for people who are deaf as exemplified by the spirit of Lyndon B. Johnson and the Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet University.” She holds Texas BEI Advanced sign language interpreter certification and the RID CI/CT.
Workshop
Educational Interpreter Pay – A Panel Discussion
Saturday, June 8th – 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Lara Wagner
Lara Wagner has been a sign language interpreter/transliterator since July 2009. Through experiences in agency and contract work, she has gained insight on how to work in a variety of settings such as K-12, post-secondary settings, media work, conferences, medical, mental health, legal encounters and in courtrooms. Experiences in many of these settings were teamed with
Certified/Deaf Interpreters (DI/CDI). Involvement as a Designated Interpreter (DI) for multiple consumers is also a part of her background. She graduated her interpreter training program at Collin College in the spring of 2009 and was certified by the summer that same year with a double major in interpreting and criminal justice. She received her undergraduate degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2014 from the University of Texas in Arlington.
Lara has tested and earned several advanced and specialty certifications such as the RID NIC in 2011, the BEI advanced in 2013, the state court certification in 2015 and CCHI’s CoreCertified Healthcare interpreter examination in 2017.
She has been teaching community self-defense classes in ASL for the Deaf community across Texas for 7 years and teaching as an adjunct instructor in the local Interpreter Training Program (ITP) at Tarrant County College (TCC) for the past 2 years.
Lara has developed and presented multiple interpreting workshops to a variety of entities. She continues to regularly attend interpreting workshops and conferences for the improvement of her interpreting and ethical decision-
making skills.
Lara’s proudest achievement would have to be her son, Colt, who is 4 years old whom her and her husband truly enjoy. Her family is actively engaged in their local church. For fun, she enjoys riding her horse and raising chickens. Competing in triathlons is way she relieves stress. Her hobbies include candle making and she is also an avid reader, with participation in multiple book clubs.
Workshop
Dear Interpreters, Teach us! Love Interns (presented twice)
Saturday, June 8th 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Sunday, June 9th 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Jordan Ward
Jordan Ward graduated in 2022 with a master’s degree from Western Oregon University in Interpreting Studies on the Teaching Interpreting track, where she has also taught as an adjunct instructor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Oklahoma in Legal Ethics and Social Issues, and an A.A.S. from the Interpreter Training Program at Oklahoma State University. Jordan is a full-time educational interpreter for a North Texas school district and serves as the district’s interpreting team lead. Jordan began interpreting in 2017 and works as both an educational and community interpreter. Her master’s thesis, titled “Examining the Divide: Understanding the Perceptions and Relationships between Community and Educational Interpreters”, is published and accessible online.
Workshop
You Can’t Sit with Us: Interpersonal Relationships and Horizontal Violence among Interpreters (2 parts)
Friday, June 7th – 9:00 AM – 12 noon (part 1 of 2)
Friday, June 7th – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (part 2 of 2)
Modernizing Professional Standards in K-12 Interpreting
Sunday, June 9th – 9:00 AM – 12 noon
Stephanie Wheeler
Stephanie Wheeler has worked in the interpreting field for over 20 years. She has worked in a variety of settings but has particular experience in correctional settings, mental health, legal interpreting and VRS. She has been an interpreter educator for over 10 years, most recently working for Z/Purple Communications as a Training & Development Manager with a focus on Interpreter Skill Building. Her current work includes cultivating interpreting communities focused on deliberate practice and enhancing the profession through reflective and culturally aware mentorship methods.
Workshop
Showing Up for Each Other (presented twice)
Friday, June 7, 2024 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Saturday, June 8, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Laurel Whitsett
Laurel Whitsett (she/her) is a passionate advocate for language diversity, accessibility, and creativity. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Linguistics at UT Arlington with a focus in American Sign Language (ASL) structure and pragmatics. In addition to her academic pursuits, Laurel teaches full-time in the Theatre Arts and Dance department, Disability Studies minor, and Modern Languages, offering innovative courses like Universal Design in Performing Arts and Interpreting Humor. Her scholarly contributions include publication in the Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Severed Connections and Timely Reflections: A Collaborative Autoethnography Navigating Uncertainty Amid COVID-19 in Higher Education (Hobbs & Whitsett, 2023). Laurel is recognized for her expertise in accessibility solutions, having served as the keynote speaker for UTA’s 2023 Accessibility Day and collaborating with TCC’s Sign Language Interpreting Program (SLIP) to offer language access for UTA’s theater productions —thank you, TCC! She was awarded the 2024 Experiential Learning Faculty Fellowship (ELFF), empowering her to redesign course curricula for richer learning experiences. Beyond academia, Laurel has contributed to the film and TV industry as a dialogue coach for actors such as Alice Braga (Queen of the South) and Chuck Norris for the final season of Walker, Texas Ranger. Grateful for the collaborative efforts that make TSID 2024 a success, Laurel extends her sincere appreciation to all involved.
Workshop
What are YOU looking at? Prosodic Cues in ASL and English
Thursday, June 6th – 12 noon -3:00 PM