- December 27, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
After Kimberly Griffith took American Sign Language in high school, it became her dream to work as an interpreter.
And she did do that — a journey that eventually brought her to Volusia County. At that time, she was working one-on-one with deaf and hard-of-hearing students at different districts. While she loved her work, she said in a statement to the Observer, she realized she wanted to have the ability to impact more than one student a school year, as well as share her love of learning ASL and passion for being involved with the deaf community.
She thought the best way to accomplish that was to become a classroom teacher.
“Now, when my students have that ‘lightbulb’ moment of remembering an ASL term or they share an experience they had practicing ASL with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person at work or outside of school, I am able to see the results of my hard work,” Griffith said. “It is an amazing feeling to witness my students diving deep into sign language and discovering that love of learning ASL for themselves.”
Griffith, who is Seabreeze High School’s Teacher of the Year, currently teaches ASL Level 1 and Level 2 to students in all high school levels. She’s in her sixth year of teaching, and all have been at Seabreeze helping students learn ASL.
Griffith’s favorite thing about teaching is watching students learn, oftentimes by practicing with classmates.
“When I see the students laughing, smiling, practicing, and asking questions — I know that is why I became a teacher,” she said. “I love to see the students enjoy the learning process and producing new knowledge from a language they chose to learn.”
Griffith said it’s important to her to live life to the best of her ability every day. If she could share some wisdom with students, it would be to be responsible for their own education and life.
“I hope the best for all of my students in their future lives and careers,” Griffith said. “I hope to see each individual become successful in their own way. Part of being a successful adult is taking charge of your own life, having the confidence to make your own decisions, and recognizing your education as an important part to your life and what you will be able to do in the future. The higher quality of education an individual has, the more doors that open for them in life.”
Being nominated as Teacher of the Year makes her feel honored, she said, because her school has many hardworking educators. She also joked she was looking forward to using her special designated parking spot.
As the only ASL teacher at Seabreeze, and one of only three in the district, sometimes she feels alone on her own “island.”
“However, this experience has made me realize that while there may not be many ASL teachers, I still have many colleagues and fellow teachers who care about me and support me,” Griffith said. “This year, when I walk into the office or around the halls, many teachers are coming up to me to simply say, ‘Hi!’ or ‘Congratulations on being Teacher Of The Year!’ I feel recognized and more welcomed and supported than ever on my school campus. It has been reassuring and inspiring.”
