The Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CRID) needs your help! We need people to become Sign Masters in our NEW CRID Mentoring Program. Sign Masters will apply to our program and be selected based on the criteria listed below. Your time commitment will include approximately one hour per month to meet with each of your (4) "scholars", who are educational interpreters seeking to pass the EIPA at a level of 3.5 or above. This is a paid opportunity! Please read the information below and click on the link to the Sign Master application ASAP! Deadline is March 31st...so don't wait!
Mentor Committee Newsletter
Mentoring 101: A pre-requisite for Mentor and Scholar Training
What is Mentoring? Mentoring is the journey shared by a Mentor and a Scholar that encompasses mutual learning, skill development and self-analysis. The purpose of mentoring is to explore new skills and/or improve upon an aspect of interpreting through a process of discovery, self-realization and independent problem solving.
Who is a Mentor? A mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
Who is a Scholar? A scholar is one who studies with a teacher. The scholar and the mentor/teacher study together.
Who is a Meta -Mentor? A meta-mentor is master mentor who works with and guides another mentor in her work.
Who is an Sign-Master? A Sign-Master is a native user of America Sign Language, preferably a Deaf person, who has knowledge of ASL linguistics and/or experience in teaching ASL.
What is the goal? Advance the profession of interpreting through skill development and self-analysis - one interpreter at a time.
Recommendations For Educational Sign Master Qualifications
Sign Master Skill Qualifications: CRID believes that potential Sign Masters should possess the following:
- ASLTA Qualified or Professional Certification* or RID Certified Deaf Interpreter*
- Minimum three years teaching ASL at a post-secondary level or mentoring in an educational setting
- Native signer of American Sign Language, Deaf preferred
Sign Master Requirements: Must submit a packet of information including:
- A paragraph or two explaining your Classroom interpreting experience (K-12) experience or significant knowledge of / training in / exposure to classroom dynamics
- A paragraph or two explaining your understanding of how school districts function and the impact the larger structure has on interpreters in the classroom
- Must attend “Demand-Control Schema for Interpreting Work” by Robyn Dean, April 15, 2005 at the CRID State Conference in Colorado Springs
- Must attend “Mentoring 101: A Prerequisite for Mentor/Scholar Training”, April 16, 2005 at the CRID State Conference in Colorado Springs
- Must attend “EIPA Feedback Analysis” by Brenda Schick, May 7, 2005
- Must attend the CRID series of (3) mentoring workshops in 2005 (May, June and August)
Sign Master Characteristics: CRID recognizes that being a Sign Master requires special characteristics and qualities that are not inherent to all native signers. We therefore recommend that Sign Masters be carefully selected keeping in mind the following desired qualities:
- A clear understanding of and the ability to discuss the role expectations for the Sign Master and the Scholar
- An ability to analyze sign language production for a variety of factors that can affect the product
- Ability to discuss supportively yet honestly about the language in a way that facilitates learning
- Commitment to the interpreting profession and an ability to demonstrate this commitment by personal example
- Creativity in providing individualized support and goal setting; an ability to tailor the learning around the needs of the Scholar
- A sense of humor, including the ability to laugh at oneself
- Patience
- Confidence in one’s own work and the ability to facilitate the growth of confidence in the Scholar
If full certification has not been obtained, applicants must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward that goal.
Sign Master Application
For information on CRID conference:
http://www.coloradorid.org/stateconference.htm |
