At the American Sign Language Honor Society, we are fortunate to have a network of committed and skilled committees working diligently to serve our community. We invite you to meet our dedicated committee members who contribute their expertise and passion to our society's endeavors.
Meet Stephanie Proctor! This is her second year joining the ASLHS board as a membership coordinator. She is Deaf. She currently resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband, who is also deaf and is an engineering wizard, and a daughter who is KODA, who loves to spark the world. She graduated from Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Go Dragons! She graduated with a Master's in Deaf Education. She has over ten years of deaf education teaching and is now teaching college-level ASL at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). She is currently working on her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and hopes to elevate the awareness and needs for American Sign Language (ASL) in higher education administration and leadership. During her free time, she spends time with her family and friends and likes to explore nature in the State of Tennessee. She learns every day about the state itself. She is a beach bum and always tries to find time to visit her home state, Florida. In addition, she is a busy super mom attending her daughter's dance and gymnastic classes and supporting other mothers. Her favorite celebrity is Paul Walker. She said, "If I was in another lifetime, I would be a car racer." Her favorite food and drink are to order is pepperoni pizza and wine so she can stay in her cozy backyard to unwind with friends and family. That is her favorite thing to do on Fridays!
Meet Steven Whitworth! This is his first year joining the ASLHS board as a Membership Coordinator. He is Deaf and was born and raised in Texas. He received his two bachelor's degrees in applied arts and sciences and American Sign Language at Lamar University and a Master's Degree in Sign Language Education at Gallaudet University. Steven is currently teaching 3rd grade at Mesquite ISD and ASL 1 and 2 at Tyler Junior College. He taught ASL for eight years.
Favorite shows: Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD Favorite Food: Mexican food. Favorite Hobby: Video gaming.
Meet Sabrina Boyer! This is her third year joining the ASLHS board as a competition coordinator. Born in Brazil, Sabrina first got involved with the Deaf community while she was working towards her undergraduate in social work. She worked as a Brazilian Sign Language interpreter for five years, and acquired a Master's degree in Social Work. Upon moving to America, she got two degrees from San Diego Mesa College in ASL studies and ASL/English Interpretation, and holds a Master's in Teaching American Sign Language from the University of Northern Colorado. She is an ASLTA certified teacher, and has been teaching ASL for the past seven years in private high schools.
Favorite food: Her mom's Cozido (beef stew with vegetables) Favorite hobby: Singing (she was a lead singer in band Brazil, in her "previous life")
Meet Leonard Granda! Leonard S. Granda, Ed.D., has taught America Sign Language for over 20 years in various levels from kindergarten to college level students. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Gallaudet University and a Master’s degree in Education of the Deaf from San Diego State University. Dr. Granda has taught at San Diego State University, The College of the Holy Cross, Bloomsburg University of PA, Austine School for the Deaf, The Learning Center for Deaf Children, Loudoun County Public Schools (VA) and various community colleges. Dr. Granda completed his doctoral degree at Lamar University in Deaf Studies / Deaf Education in 2014. Dr. Granda's dissertation was on a case study of teaching a Deaf immigrant student using ASL/English Bilingual strategies that was published by Dawn Sign Press. Dr. Granda is also a strong advocate for the Deaf community and for early language acquisition in Deaf children. Dr. Granda is current a clinical assistant professor at ETSU.
Meet Melissa Ibanez! Melissa has been the Graduation Coordinator since 2019. She is Deaf, 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 from Gallaudet University. Melissa currently teaches ASL 1-4 at South Texas College, where she has been a full-time faculty member since 2015. Before that, she taught Deaf Education for 10 years and part-time ASL for 5 years. In addition to her teaching role, Melissa is a Girl Scout Co-Leader and serves on the committee for the Texas ASL Educators.
Favorite celebrity: Gong Yoo, Song Kang Favorite Food: Authentic Mexican food and Authentic Asian food Favorite Hobby: Crafting, reading books, and collecting different things
Meet Michelle Norman! This is her 1st year joining the ASLHS board as a public relations coordinator. She has a Bachelors of Science in Recreational Therapy with a minor in ASL from Southern Illinois University and a Masters in ASL Education K-12 Licensure from University of Tennessee Knoxville. Michelle currently teaches and also a ASLHS sponsor at Maryville High School. She enjoys ultimate frisbee, reading, hiking, dancing Salsa and Bachata.
