Linda Rowe
2002
San Diego, CA
Lafayette Elementary School
Second Place Winner
$7,000
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Rowe's "Signing With Our Friends" program teaches hearing students American Sign Language (ASL) with the assistance of the school's Deaf and Hard of Hearing program students, who make up nearly one-fifth of the student body. This student-to-student program matches deaf classes with hearing classes 2 to 3 times a week during the school year. The focus of the sessions is to teach hearing students ASL skills that can be used on a day-to-day basis with their deaf classmates. With funding, this program can now branch out to a school wide program so all students can take part of this invaluable experience.