Learn how you can play a role in spreading the news about ASL and honoring students who excel in the practice of ASL. The ASLHS recognizes the outstanding achievements of students studying ASL, and we encourage the use of the language along with lifelong learning and language enjoyment. ASL teachers at any level are eligible to establish ASLHS chapters on campus, whether they teach at a high school, community college, college, or university. Additionally, all ASL students can participate in our programs.
For more information about our blog or about how you can brag about the great things happening in your ASL classroom
Since 2006, ASLHS has been a valued addition to the field of ASL education. Our primary mission is to encourage and recognize high academic achievement in ASL studies for high school and college/university students. Like honor societies for other languages, the ASLHS seeks to enrich the learning experience of those studying ASL. Some of the benefits offered by the ASL Honor Society include:
Awarding Honor Cords and Medals Based On Academic Achievement
Encouraging Service Learning Projects That Benefit the ASL Community
Hosting the Annual Deaf Art and ASL Literature Competitions, Featuring Cash Prizes
Awarding the Only National Scholarships to Students Majoring or Minoring In ASL, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education, and Interpreter Education
Financially Supporting ASL Education via Grants for Teachers to Assist in Purchasing Equipment or Materials for Use in the Classroom
The ASL Honor Society is a program offered by ASLTA as a benefit for ASLTA membership.
Meet the Board
The ASLHS is fortunate to have a knowledgeable and experienced board of directors who enjoy serving. We invite you to meet our Directors.
National Coordinator - Dr. Jessica Parker
Email Jessica is a CODA with 20 years of ASL teaching experience in grades K-12. She is a Principal for Family Partnership Charter School in Anchorage, Alaska while also developing and teaching ASL classes online. She has a passion for creating L1 curriculum for Deaf students and developed ASL Concepts. During her free time, she enjoys the great outdoors-going camping, cycling, & fishing bringing her husky along. She is married with 3 children and stays very active by enjoying Alaska's great outdoors!
Celebrity crush: Nick Cage. Favorite Food: Wine. Best Memory: Dipnetting the Kenai River when the fish are running.
Competitions Coordinator - Robin Newsom-Wuertz
Email Meet Robin Newsom-Wuertz - Robin is the founder of the Creative ASL Teaching blog and an #aslteacherchat moderator. She has 20+ years of teaching experience in ASL. Robin holds a Bachelor's degree in Deaf Studies from California State University Northridge and a Master's of Science in School Counseling from the University of LaVerne. She teaches ASL and PE at Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, CA. Robin is a workshop presenter in ASL curriculum, standards, and second language acquisition. Her passion is to support ASL teachers in their journey to become creative innovators and leaders in the field of World Language instruction.
Her celebrity crush: Shemar Moore. Her favorite food: Mexican. Her favorite hobby: I am an avid gardener and grow my own fruits and vegetables.
Membership Coordinator - Chris Johnson
Email Chris "CJ" Johnson graduated with a degree in Sports Management from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies in 2013, Johnson decided to pursue his journey in the Deaf world; he gained his first great sense of his identity, academically and socially, through his employment experience at several deaf institutions, and it was ultimately ascertained that Johnson is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Chris then furthered his Sign Language Education at the Gallaudet University in 2018. Throughout the hybrid graduate program, CJ was an American Sign Language (ASL) adjunct instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, where he applied his teaching method(s) in 15+ student classrooms at the Annandale Campus in Annandale, Virginia. Currently, Mr. Johnson, a purpose-driven and visionary leader with forward-influenced plans, is a current full-time faculty at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota.
Favorite hobby: golfing
Operations Chair - Rose Adams
Email Meet Rose Adams ASLHS Operations Coordinator. She has been teaching ASL for the past 29 years. She was born Deaf to hearing parents, has a Deaf brother. She was mainstreamed all her life in a hearing school. She was a Treasurer of FASLTA for over 15 years as well as a Vice President of FASLTA for two years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.
Graduations Support Chair - Amy Crumrine
Email Meet Amy Crumrine! This is her first year joining ASLHS board as a graduation support coordinator. She hails from Silver Spring, Maryland, and is a NTID/RIT graduate. She was a deaf and hard of hearing teacher for 11 years before she switched over to ASL teaching. She currently teaches ASL 1-3 at a high school in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Amy has degrees in Social Work, Deaf Education, and School Counseling along with a certification in School Administration from RIT and Gallaudet University.
Celebrity crush: Tom Cruise. Favorite food: Ice Cream. Best Memory: Traveling across America by car.
Graduations Shipping Chair - Melissa Ibanez
Meet Melissa Ibanez! This is her second year joining ASLHS board as a Graduation Shipment Coordinator. Born in Wisconsin and moved to Texas at a young age. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University. Melissa is currently teaching ASL 1-4 at South Texas College. Taught Deaf Ed for 10 years and part-time ASL for 5 years. Full time teaching ASL 4 years. Melissa is also a Girl Scout Co-Leader.
Email Meet Devin Hasty! This is her second year joining ASLHS board as a public relation coordinator. Born and raised in North Carolina and currently lives in Colorful Colorado. She received her bachelor's degree in Human and Community Service at Lenior Rhyne University, NC, and a Master’s degree in Teaching ASL in 2016 at University of Northern Colorado. She is currently teaching K-12 at Castle View High School in Douglas County School District in Colorado. GO Sabercats!
Favorite celebrity: SO HARD! I would say Cress Williams. Favorite Food: Avocado. Favorite Hobby: SHOPPING and of course blogging. I love love love CLOTHES. Favorite Flower: Succulents & Cactus.
Membership Recruiter - Anthony Witherspoon
Email
Meet Anthony Witherspoon! This is his first year joining ASLHS board as a recruiter coordinator. Mr. Witherspoon hails from Brownsville, Tennessee. Anthony attends Gallaudet University in Washington, District of Columbia majoring in Communications. He will work alongside Chris D. Johnson, currently serving as a Membership Coordinator, and Devin Hasty, current Public Relations coordinator.
Advisory Board
• Christine Sharkey
• Stephen Singer
• Meg Vickers
• Arlenne Negron
• Emma Horlick
Contact
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
