Hey there :)
In my novel, I exposed racism, sexism, and audism... so, I hope reading "Deaf Beneath" changes the hearts and minds of those who have the power to make a difference in education. If you are a lawmaker or an administrator, I hope these examples touch you. If you are a parent with a child still in school, I hope they enlighten you. If you care about the future of children in America, then I hope the plight of the children whose lives are detailed in this book reaches out to you. If we all act on the aforementioned issues proactively and efficiently, we shall see a huge improvement in overcoming these literacy crises among Deaf students within a generation or two.
Since the release of Deaf Beneath, I switched my line of focus from an in-person educational setting to a more remote digital engagement.
With absolutely no background and experience in graphic design, my only resource on hand was Microsoft Word.doc. I used that resource to design several more book covers for my mentor, Herb Borkland. In addition to my first project, for Herb Borkland's DOG$, which helped make his novel a hot-seller in Europe, my latest book covers and custom layouts can be seen on his recent two books - A Crime Not To Try and A Borkland Variety.
A creative hobby which I stumbled upon by a stroke of luck in which I enjoy immensely. Currently, I am digitally assisting others. In my free time, I enjoy conversing with hearing people online... no one knows the person they're talking to is deaf.
Toodles.:.
KNIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHARACTERS
Libby, Emma's one-on-one assistant (and this book's author)
DEAF /HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS (by age/grade level)
Blossom, Eli, Isabella, Jaber, Kayla, Rhett, Sidda, and Paxton
Michelle, Mike, Timmy, Alyssa, Emma, Joey, Dalton, and Toby
Allen, Rachel, Zeke, Stewart, Thomas, and Amanda
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
Brianne, Carmen, Cassie, Donna, Kallie, Pamela, Lauren, Jayme, Misty, and Cathleen, the substitute interpreter
TEACHERS FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS
Mrs. Smith, pre-kindergarten
Mrs. Jones, kindergarten - second grades
Mrs. Feldman, third - fifth grades
Mrs. Miller, deaf, black, fully-qualified substitute teacher
TEACHERS FOR THE HEARING STUDENTS
Mr. Lentz and Mrs. Rickham -- Second grade
Mr. Paynes and Mrs. Weaver -- Third grade
Mrs. Diaz and Mrs. Taylor -- Fourth grade
Mr. Bryan and Mrs. Clark -- Fifth grade
Special-related teachers: Art, Gym, and Music
OTHER CHARACTERS
Ellie, sign language internship
Mr. Grant, substitute hearing teacher
Saffiyah, a deaf friend and a former student at Knight.
Leah, Eli's Mother
Brenda, Ritch's Mother
Junie, Blossom's Mother
Lisa and Chad, parents of deaf twin sons (names unknown)
Katy, student teacher
Angela, Libby's sister
